Getting invited to an interview means you've got over the first hurdle and your application must have made an impression. Now you need to prepare yourself for the interview.
COUNTDOWN TO THE INTERVIEW
Get information
Find out all about your potential employer. You should have received a job specification with the application form so read it again. If you don't have one you could ask if they have an information pack or speak to people who work there. The library may have business information and check online, they might have a website.
Try and find out:
| u | What they do/make? |
| u | Who are their customers? |
| u | What sort of organisation they are? |
| u | Financial information (check Companies House - the official UK government register of UK companies) |
| u | What exactly does the job involve? |
| u | How can you best fit your skills to match the job? |
Plan for the interview
| u | Who will be interviewing? If it is your prospective manager, the interview may be more detailed. If it is someone from Personnel, it may be less direct or detailed, but could still be testing. |
| u | Will there be a test to take? Try and find out before the interview and ask for examples of the things you'll be asked to do. |
The following is a list of questions which you may be asked and some suggestions of how to answer them.
1) Why do you want to work here?
| u | Good reputation of the company |
| u | Give positive information you have found out |
| u | It will give you a chance to do the work which interests you |
2) Why did you leave your last job?
| u | Be honest and brief |
| u | If there is anything positive to say - say it |
| u | If you left for health reasons, point out you are now able to carry out all duties required |
| u | If you were dismissed from your last job, take responsibility for your actions and explain that you have learnt from your experience |
3) Have you done this type of work before?
| u | If the answer is yes, tell them the skills you have and how you can use them |
| u | If the answer is no, describe other work experience which will help you learn from the job and be enthusiastic and interested to learn |
4) What did you do in your last job?
| u | Skills and duties relevant to the new job |
| u | Machines/equipment used |
| u | Your responsibilities |
| u | People you dealt with |
5) How long have you been out of work and how do you spend your spare time?
| u | Mention any job search activity |
| u | Voluntary work |
| u | Hobbies |
| u | Try to link skills and experience to the job role |
6) Why have you had:
So many jobs?
| u | You wanted to widen your experience |
| u | Many of the jobs were only temporary |
| u | You'd rather be in work that out of work |
Only one job?
| u | You have had several different jobs within the company |
| u | The job offered you the opportunity to develop |
| u | The work was enjoyable |
7) Why should I take you on?
| u | Describe your skills and experience and how they relate to this job |
| u | Reassure the employer that you are hard working, reliable and capable |
8) How do you cope with pressure?
| u | Describe the pressures in previous jobs using a recent example, such as how you coped with a changed deadline, completed a rush order or dealt with staff shortages. |
9) How often were you absent from your previous job?
| u | If rarely - say so |
| u | If absence has been a problem - explain the reasons why, reassure the employer |
| u | If you have a disability, discuss openly the possible solutions available - be positive |
| u | Why is the job vacant? |
| u | What training will I do, if any? |
| u | What is the most enjoyable thing about this type of work? |
Plan your journey
Consider a "dummy run" before the day of the interview or check how long the journey will take. If necessary ask the employer for directions, bus routes or details of car parking.
Think about what you will wear
This may depend on the sort of work you will be doing, but in general:
| u | Give yourself plenty of time to decide what to wear and get clothes ready the day before |
| u | Aim for neat, tidy, clean and uncluttered appearance. You don't need to buy a new outfit! |
| u | Make sure you are comfortable and feel good in what you wear, it will come across to your potential employer |
Gather together the information you will need at the interview
| u | Your CV |
| u | Items requested by the employer |
| u | Re-read the advert or job specification to refresh your memory |
Try and get a good nights sleep the night before.
THE INTERVIEW DAY
Before leaving
| u | Give yourself plenty of time to get ready |
| u | Make sure you've got all the relevant paperwork: CV, invitation letter, etc. |
| u | If you are unavoidably delayed, contact the employer early to explain, apologise and try to get another appointment |
On arrival
| u | Aim to arrive about 10 minutes before the interview time |
| u | Give your name to the receptionist or whoever is there to greet you |
| u | Try to relax and keep calm |
| u | Talk to the receptionist or whoever greets you before going in, it will help to calm your nerves |
THE INTERVIEW
Accept that the symptoms of nerves are natural.
You will make an impression in the first few minutes. It takes time for people to assess you and store this information. Once an impression has been formed it is seldom changed. It's important to make first impressions work for you.
Do:
| u | Enter the room confidently |
| u | Shake hands firmly and introduce yourself |
| u | Be polite and friendly - look the interviewer straight in the eye as soon as you enter the room |
| u | Look interested - ask questions as well as answering |
| u | Answer questions as fully as you can - avoid yes and no answering |
| u | Provide examples to prove your achievements |
| u | Tell the truth |
| u | Ask if you don't understand a question |
| u | Speak clearly |
| u | Sell yourself - get your good points across |
| u | Be positive |
| u | Try a friendly smile if you can (but don't force it) |
Don't:
| u | Sit until invited |
| u | Fidget and slouch in the chair |
| u | Smoke |
| u | Swear |
| u | Criticise former employers |
| u | Interrupt |
| u | Draw attention to your weaknesses |
Most employers like:
| u | People who listen |
| u | People who can answer questions with examples |
| u | People who come prepared |
| u | People who appear confident |
OTHER TYPES OF INTERVIEW
Not all interviews follow the same one-to-one format. You may have to face one of the following interview situations:
Panel interviews
The panel are often made up of two or more members. Try not to be intimidated by this situation. Look at the person asking the question and glance at the others occasionally as you reply. The decision will be made by more than one person, which could increase your chance of success.
Competency based interviews
These interviews are designed to allow you to demonstrate your level of competency in key areas of the job. You may be asked to discuss examples of your previous work and achievements. The examples should be different from those on your original application form.
Group interviews
You may be invited to be assessed as part of a group. This is to test how you might work as part of a team. Be prepared to take an active part in the discussion/task and put forward your ideas. Be assertive but not agressive.
Skills tests and work sample tests
These are designed to measure the level of your knowledge or understanding of the job, such as typing tests, driving tests, manual dexterity, etc.
Personality tests
You could face questions on your thoughts, feelings and how you would behave in certain situations.
There is no such thing as a right or wrong answer, as the overall picture is what is important. The end result is a personality rating which is used to see if the person fits the job advertised. Analysis of these tests is highly skilled and may be used by larger organisations along with other recruitment methods.
DEALING WITH THE UNEXPECTED
The following situations can cause problems, but being prepared may help you deal with them:
Delays and interruptions
Don't become impatient if the employer keeps you waiting. They may have good reasons for this so try and keep calm. If the interviewer is interrupted by a telephone call for example, offer to leave the room.
Uncomfortable surroundings
If you find yourself being interviewed in unsuitable surroundings such as a busy public area, or a noisy part of a factory, keep calm and try to do your best. You could ask the employer if they would find it easier to go elsewhere. If it is causing you a real problem, explain this to the employer and suggest it would help both of you if you were to move.
Safety
Following simple rules will help you ensure your safety when attending an interview regardless of where you hear about the job. Report suspicious matters to the appropriate agency or other authority.
Do:
| u | Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back |
| u | Arrange to be collected from the interview if it is outside normal work hours |
| u | Find out as much as you can about the employer before the interview, especially if you have limited information from the job advert or your contact |
| u | Make sure the interview takes place at the employer's premises or, if not, in a public place |
Don't:
| u | Apply for a job which seems to offer too much money for very little work |
| u | Agree to continue the interview over drinks or a meal, even if it seems to be going well |
| u | Accept a lift home from the interviewer |
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
While it's still fresh in your mind, think about how the interview went:
| u | What went well? |
| u | What went not so well? |
| u | Were there any questions you found difficult and if so why? |
This check list might help you find the areas you need to improve on
Did I:
| u | Arrive on time? |
| u | Dress appropriately? |
| u | Greet the interviewer politely? |
| u | Sit well and avoid fidgeting? |
| u | Answer the questions fully enough? |
| u | Sell myself? |
| u | Describe my previous experiences confidently? |
| u | Look at the interviewer and smile? |
| u | Thank the interviewer for taking the time to see me? |
Aim to become more prepared and confident in the future by developing and improving your strengths and weaknesses.