Interview Advice - Preparing for an Interview

Understand The Vacancy:

• Request, if you do not have already a copy of the job specification.
• Establish whether any tests are going to be required, and if so, prepare for them.
• Speak with your Recruitment Agent regarding the interviews and the culture of the organization where you will interview as more often than not the agent will have met their clients and been on site experiencing the culture.

Research The Company:

• What it does, its products or services, learn pertinent facts about the company such as annual sales revenue, principal lines of business, No of employees and locations.
• Visit their web site for more information.

Check Travel Arrangements:

• Know the exact place http://www.multimap.com/ and time of the interview, the interviewer's full name, the correct pronunciation and his or her title. (If you are unavoidably delayed, notify the company or your recruitment Agent immediately giving the reason and your estimated time of arrival).
• Plan your route irrespective of what mode of transport you will use
• By car - http://www.theaa.com/
• By train - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Presentation:

• Look your smartest and show your most professional side during the interview. A company is more likely to hire someone who is well presented and who will therefore best represent their company.
• Arrive on time and if possible around10 mins earlier than the appointment, as this will give you time to compose yourself.

During The Interview:

• An interview is a "two-way process.
• Introduce yourself courteously.
• Express yourself clearly.
• Take two copies of your CV with you to the interview. It is perfectly acceptable to have a copy of your CV in front of you during the interview as a reference point. It will demonstrate how well organised you are.
• Show tact, manners, courtesy, and maturity at every opportunity.
• Be confident and maintain poise. The ability to handle your nerves during the interview will come across as confidence in your ability to handle the job.
• Be prepared to show how your experience would benefit the company.
• Take time to think and construct your answers to questions to avoid rushing into a vague and senseless reply.
• Demonstrate that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job done well and that you will fit in with the company's organisational structure and the team in which you will work.
• Anticipate questions you're likely to be asked and have answers prepared in advance. Uncertainty and disorganisation show the interviewer that you are unprepared and unclear what your goals are.
• Be assertive without being aggressive.

Body Language Do's:

• Ensure a firm handshake. A firm handshake shows confidence in yourself and your abilities.
• Walk slowly, deliberately, and tall upon entering the room.
• Maintain a high level of eye contact throughout.
• Remember not to be seen to be staring. Look away occasionally, looking confidently and calmly to the right or left; Try not to look down.
• Listen.
• Be alert and enthusiastic - it's often a deciding factor in employing candidates. An indifferent attitude is instantly recognised as "I don't care if I get this job."
• Smile, nod, and give non-verbal feedback to the interviewer.

Body Language Don'ts:

• Have a poor or limp handshake.
• Display laziness.
• Have a poor voice, diction or grammar.
• Look distracted, look down or avoid eye contact.
• Talk too much. Answer questions as asked, without being abrupt; expound only to the point that the interviewer has a clear understanding of what you mean.
• Lose concentration or attention.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:

• Do not be late for the interview. Tardiness is a sign of irresponsibility or disorganisation and the employer could take it as what to expect in the future.
• Do not arrive unprepared for the interview.
• Try not to say unfavourable things about previous employers or make excuses for failings.
• Try not to give vague responses to questions.
• Try not to show too much concern about rapid advancement.
• Do not over emphasise money. Your interviewing goal is to sell yourself to the interviewer and to get an offer of employment. Salary discussion is secondary.
• Do not show any reservations you may have about the role/company. You can always turn down second interviews and job offers after you have had time to appraise your concerns in the cold light of day.
• Do not leave your mobile phone on during the interview.
• Do not chew chewing gum in the interview.

Frequently Asked Questions During An Interview:

Be prepared to respond to questions such as:

• How do you interact with people at different levels within your current company?
• Tell me about your background, accomplishments?
• What interests you about our company?
• If you were to start working for us tommorow morning, what would you most be afraid of?
• How do you stay technically and professionally up-to-date?
• What outside activities are most significant to your personal development?
• What do you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why are you leaving your current employment and what are you looking for in a new job?
• What are your long term objectives?
• What kind of decisions do you find difficult to make?

A lack of questions can be mistaken as a lack of interest so be prepared to ask your interviewer questions such as:

• What are the greatest challenges in this position?
• What was it in my CV that made you decide to invite me for an interview?
• What attracted you to join the company?
• What will my responsibilities be?
• How has the position become vacant?
• How will you assess my performance?
• How does the department fit into the organisation as a whole?
• What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
• Who are your customers?
• Where is the company going? Expansion plans?
• How soon will you decide on the appointment?
• What is the next step?

REMEMBER:

• Always remember to thank the interviewer/s for his/her or their time.

And finally, if you have answered the following two questions whilst in the interview - "Why you are interested in the position?" and "What you can offer to the company?" then you have done all you can.