Business Change Career Centre
Top 10 Interview Tips.
TIP 1: Research.
Researching company information is very worthwhile and can make a crucial difference to the outcome of an interview, as well as providing useful background information for the prospective employee.
You don’t need to write a dissertation on the subject, but demonstrating a little knowledge of the company and its operations – in the right way – shows an interviewer very clearly that you are serious and prepared to invest in getting the job.
What to look for:
- Business interests: What activities is the company involved in? Who is the parent company? Market share?
- Financial summary: Annual turnover? Profitability? Performance?
- Basic statistics: Number of employees? Number and location of sites / outlets?
- Recent activities: Mergers? Acquisitions?
- Product launches: New designs / ranges?
- Expansion plans: New areas of business / markets? New locations?
- Major competitors: Main competitors? What are they doing which could impact on the business?
TIP 2: Probe the job description.
Understanding the job description sounds very basic but a surprising number of candidates approach the interview with only the vaguest idea of what the job is actually all about. Probing the job description will ensure that you have a good idea of what the job actually entails and you can tailor your responses to highlight relevant experience, qualifications and interests.
TIP 3: Core interview questions.
Research shows that although there are thousands of permutations, most questions fall into the following ten main areas:
- Tell me about yourself
A classic opener and a potential minefield for waffle and irrelevancy! Use this as an opportunity to briefly outline your main skills and attributes. - Why do you want this job?
Concentrate on matching your skills and qualities to the job requirement. - What are your major strengths?
Identify a strength and link to an achievement; e.g. “I am very good at organising people to get things done – I recently organised a charity event raising £40,000”. - What are your weaknesses?
Make any weaknesses a positive; e.g. “I like to get things done quickly and this sometimes makes me impatient” or “I have very high standards and I demand the same of others”. - What do you know about our organisation / this job?
You will have done your research, so reflect this in your response; e.g. “I’m very interested in the plans to merge with…" - What things do you most enjoy doing in your current job?
Focus on things you are good at, and which directly relate to the target job. Think about your analysis of the job description. - What frustrates you most about your current job?
Frustrations are a normal part of any job. Relate something non-controversial which has caused you problems (avoid personality conflicts etc.) and, most importantly, describe how you overcame the problem. - How do you react to criticism?
Stress your belief in the value of constructive criticism as a means of helping you to do your job better. - What motivates you?
Responsibility, development, a job well-done…reflect the job description. - Why should we give you this job?
A chance to reinforce all you relevant attribute’s; keep brief and focused.
TIP 4: Prepare for any pitfalls.
Put yourself in your interviewer’s shoes. If you were faced with your CV or application form, what areas would you want to probe? Prepare plausible responses to any potentially difficult questions, such as gaps in your work experience or reasons for leaving jobs. Be honest but avoid potentially dangerous situations e.g.: “I hated the boss…”. Never criticise individuals – you never know who you’re talking to!
TIP 5: Questions you should ask.
You will probably be asked if you have any questions. Now is not the time to ask about holiday arrangements or car parking spaces.
Do ask three or four relevant questions reflecting your genuine interests and research into the company – but don’t try to be too clever. Questions you could ask include:
- Where does this position fit in the overall organisation?
- What is the growth plan of the company?
- What will my priorities be?
- Which markets do you regard as most important?
- What are the prospects for advancement?
- Why is the present job holder being replaced?
- What targets or objectives will you be expected to meet?
- What are the long term plans for the department?
TIP 6: Preparing for the interview.
A few basic preparations can help to smooth your path on the day.
- Plan your journey: Make sure you have train times, journey times, car parking details, maps/directions, addresses, contact details, phone numbers, change for parking etc.
If you are likely to be unavoidably delayed, ring the office and briefly explain, give an estimated time of arrival and don’t panic - Prepare an interview pack: Put together a file with a few key items including copies of you CV / application form, company literature, letter of invitation, list of questions
- On arrival: Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your allotted appointment; use this time to leave any excess baggage with the receptionist; check your appearance, re-read your CV/ application form, and RELAX!
Be pleasant and polite to everyone you meet. It pays to make a favourable impression with everyone.
TIP 7: Present the right image.
Good personal presentation is absolutely key to success. The well-used phrase that first impressions count is never so true as in an interview situation. A lot rests on the first impression you make, both in your appearance and body language.
There is much research into the effect of “First Impressions”. It has been said that many interviewers will form an impression of you in the first 30 seconds, and will have more or less decided on the outcome of the interview in the first four minutes.
There is no right or wrong way to dress or look for a particular job; the key is to look like you’re already one of them.
Appearance.
Most types of jobs have stereotypical dress codes: e.g., a conservative style of dress is usually more appropriate for banking; while something more casual may be more relevant to media work. You will already have a good idea of what is generally acceptable, but err on the side of caution – a good suit is rarely wrong.
Whatever the industry sector or organisation, there are some golden rules it is advisable to follow. They may seem obvious, but it is amazing how many job candidates ignore them.
Personal grooming.
- Dress to the industry stereotype
- Dress as expensively as you can afford
- Be comfortable – if you have invested in a new outfit, make sure it has been ‘run-in’
- Dark colours usually carry higher authority
- Keep make-up to a minimum
- Avoid distracting jewellery
- Avoid perfume or aftershave
- Make sure your shoes are well polished and not down-at-heel
- Don’t smoke while dressed in your interview clothes; most companies operate a no-smoking policy and the smell of cigarette smoke is much more noticeable in these environments and can be very off-putting.
TIP 8: Body language.
Body language is incredibly powerful.
- Strong handshake: conveys confidence (and social grace!)
- Sit comfortably: sit in a comfortable position for you; mirroring the interviewer’s position is a sign of harmony.
- Smile: shows you are relaxed – but don’t grin like a maniac!
- Avoid fiddling: with pens, jewellery etc.
- Lots of eye contact: conveys honesty as well as confidence.
Don’t invade the interviewer’s space: sit only when invited to do so and never put your briefcase or files on their desk; place them in an accessible position on the floor if necessary.
TIP 9: Golden rules for a successful interview.
- Be yourself: never try to put on a performance; you will be uncomfortable and it won’t last.
- Be honest: emphasise your achievements – but always be truthful and ensure you can substantiate everything you say.
- Don’t waffle: keep responses focused; do not be tempted to fill silences – this is sometimes an interviewer’s deliberate ploy. If you have not heard or fully understood a question, ask for clarification.
- Be concise: your responses should generally be between 20 seconds and 2 minutes long.
- Don’t name drop: you might just be extolling the virtues of someone the interviewer hates!
- Be Humble: you know you’re the right person for the job, but don’t overdo it.
- Be focused: don't be distracted - keep focusing on the job requirements and your qualities.
TIP 10: Enjoy it!
An interview is your opportunity to find out more about the company and its people. It is a two way process. Don’t worry about feeling nervous as this is natural. Remember this is an opportunity to show that you fit the job description. The company is already seriously interested in you, otherwise they wouldn’t have asked you in for the interview. At the end of the interview (particularly for sales roles) ask if the interviewer has any reservations about inviting you back for the next stage. This shows your ability to close and gives you the opportunity to dispel any reservations.
GOOD LUCK!
