Interview Advice

Preparation

Prior to the interview you should research the company, read the job description and ensure that you are aware of the date and time, how to get there, the name of the interviewer and their position within the company. You should also be aware of the interview format and whether there will be any tests. If you have any questions just contact your consultant who will be able to give you the information that you require.

Presentation

Your interview is your chance to convince the interviewer that you are the best person for the job, however first impressions do count! Make sure you dress appropriately and smartly. Ensure that your nails, hair, shoes and jewellery are neat and tidy and do not smoke or drink alcohol immediately before the interview. Maintain positive body language, for example sit in an upright position, maintain eye contact with the interviewer and show interest and enthusiasm.

Standard interview questions

Below are some typical questions used to enable the interviewer to quickly get to know you and your reasons for seeking a new role. Think about how you would respond when asked these questions:

‘Tell me about yourself’

This is your chance to give a brief overview of your strengths and their relevance to the role you are being interviewed for.

‘What are your strengths?’

Consider two or three strengths such as your ability to learn quickly, self motivation, positive attitude, reliability or determination to succeed. Undoubtedly you will be asked for an example so think of times when you have displayed these traits ahead of your interview.

‘What are your weaknesses?’

We all have areas for development so don’t pretend you have none! Many weaknesses are strengths once they are used in the right environment so if you are impatient you could say ‘I am impatient to achieve results’. This would be considered a strength in a sales environment. Lack of non-essential experience where it can be gained in a new role is also acceptable.

Why are you leaving your current employer?

Ideally you will be looking for more responsibility or a new challenge that your current employer cannot offer. Whatever you do, do not criticise your current employer as this is never well received.

Competency based interviews

Competency based interviews are considered the fairest way of assessing your ability for a role. Your interviewer will be looking for examples of past behaviour to predict future performance. They will look at examples in your past performance that relate to typical situations in the role you are being interviewed for. Some typical questions are:

To identify team working

‘Describe a time when you have worked with others to achieve a result’

To identify ability to work to deadlines

‘Give me an example of when you have had to work to a deadline’

To identify the ability to prioritise

‘Describe a time where you have had a number of tasks to be achieved within a tight deadline’

Pressure

‘Describe a time where you have had to work under a great deal of pressure’

If you have little work experience you can draw your experience from college or school.

Asking questions

At the end of your interview you will usually be given the opportunity to ask questions, so it is always a good idea to plan a few beforehand. You could ask about company culture or training opportunities. Do not ask about the salary at the beginning of the interview, this will give the impression that you only care about money. Remember this is an area we can advise on.