Looking to land that dream job? If so you need to be prepared to perform at interview. While interviews vary in style from industry to industry our interview guide will show you how to prepare for and give a great account of yourself at a typical interview.
Interview Guide Basics – Do’s & Don’ts
- It is expected that formal business dress is worn for interviews.
- Turn off your mobile phone.
- Prepare by looking at websites, reading the press, company literature and financial information.
- Take a look at their competitors’ information too.
- Look at the interviewers backgrounds on LinkedIn to see if there are any crossovers between your background e.g. companies you have both worked for/with, if you went to the same university etc.
- You need to be able to talk through your CV; make sure you’re aware of the content.
- Be able to explain job moves but don’t disparage your current or previous employers.
- If you are interviewing for a sales role, be prepared to give details of successes to include: what was sold, to whom, level of decision maker, value and be able to back this up.
- If you are interviewing for a design or projects role, demonstrate competency in packages used, where you have turned around a project or delivered successfully etc.
- It’s always good to ask questions; some examples are given below.
- It’s worth thinking of taking a pen and a notebook.
- Don’t smoke just before a meeting.
- During the interview, don’t chew gum.
- Don’t be over familiar; after all it’s a job interview.
Questions you might like to ask the interviewer
Their Company:
- What are the company’s biggest challenges?
- What are the company’s future plans or growth strategies?
- How do they sell their company; what are their USPs?
- What are the opportunities for progression within the company?
- What is the structure of the team that I’ll be working in?
- Who would I be reporting to; direct and dotted line?
Questions you might be asked
- What interests you most about the company/role?
- What can you bring to this role/organisation?
- Tell me a little about your work history to date.
- What were/are you main duties and responsibilities in your current/last role?
- Why did you leave or are you leaving your previous/current position?
- How do you cope when working under pressure? (Give examples if possible).
- What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses? (Weaknesses need to be portrayed in a positive light – perhaps a weakness you have already overcome or learnt how to handle).
- Give me an example of your flexibility at work.
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your career aspirations?
- How would your boss describe you?
- What is your greatest success/achievement?
- What frustrates you and how do you deal with it?
AND FINALLY CLOSURE QUESTIONS:
If you are genuinely keen on the role try and find out:
- Where do we go from here?
- Are there any reasons that we can discuss today why you wouldn’t offer me the job?
- Timescales for decision.
Interview Check-list
- You know who you are meeting, their title and job function;
- The time and date of the interview;
- You know the address;
- You have a fall-back route for contingency
- What they are expecting of you
- Presentation
- Psychometric Test
- Form filling
- A copy of your latest referees (if possible)
- Documentary Proof (if possible) of:
- Success
- Qualifications
- Passport
- Work Permit (If applicable)