Interview preparation
The
headlines :
The
Good News
- you
only get an interview if the interviewer thinks you can do the job
- you
are inc control of the information you give about yourself
Objectives
of the Interview
Define
your goals
- to
get a job offer
- to
assess your potential career with the company
- to
get a second interview
- to
create the impression you want to create
- to
build a clear idea of what the job involves
“Prepare
to Succeed”
6
most common reasons employers give for rejecting a candidate after an interview
(research for BBC ‘Onelife’)
- inappropriate
appearance
- being
late
- appearing
disorganised
- lack
of insight into organisation or the job
- criticism
of last employer
- a
lack of confidence
Preparation
Your
campaign should include the following:
- organisation
and the job
- update
your research
- review
job description
- remind
yourself re which CV version the interviewer has
- visualise
yourself in the job
Logistics
and practicalities
- location,
date and time
- who
are you meeting?
- travel
arrangements
- what
to wear?
First
impressions
- remember
the power of non-verbal communication
- arrive
on time
- relax
- smile
and greet by name
- make
eye contact without staring!
Interview Questions
The
headlines :
There
are only 3 main categories of interview questions
- Can
you do the job
- Will
you do the job
- Will
you fit in?
Can
you do the job?
– questions about your track record and capability
Examples:
How
is your experience relevant to this job?
Tell
me about your most significant achievements?
Will you do the job? -
your approach to work and your motivation
Examples:
What
was it like working for your previous employer – highs and lows?
If
you get this job, how long will you stay with us?
Will
you fit in?
- testing your fit with the company culture and image
Examples:
How
do you get to know and understand new colleagues?
How
do you cope with a change of environment?
Essential
homework
– be ready for these questions:
- Tell
me about yourself
- Why
do you want this job?
- Why
did you leave your last job?
- Why
should we hire you?
10
Golden Rules
- Listen
carefully to the question
- Avoid
‘yes/no’ answers when you can
- Speak
clearly and stick to the point
- Demonstrate
that you have prepared
- Check
if you have given enough information
- Ask
for clarification
- Give
examples to back up your points
- Take
time to think before answering
- Be
positive about your skills and achievements
- Anticipate,
prepare and perform!
“do
you have any questions?”
- prepare
in advance
- take
the opportunity to re-state your interest in the role
- be
as company and industry specific
Give
the interviewer something to remember you by
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