I'm in a good modd, so I'll give away my secret weapon...This is like a bible for all jobhunters.
(Competancy based section to follow...)
Interview Preparation
Research
Find out as much as you can about the company. Visit a similar site or part of the business, study company literature and check out the company website. The interviewer will rightly see your efforts as a sign of commitment. Make sure you obtain directions to get to the interview and plan your journey.
Your CV
Review your CV and make sure you have positive answers if the interviewer wants more detail on the information you supplied. Take another copy with you in case it’s required.
Job Description
Read the description carefully and think of ways on which your experience would benefit the company and where the challenges would lie for you.
Your Background
Think about how you can add value to this company – that is what they will be “buying” from you. Think about the skills required for the job and then your measurable achievements in each area, because this will be the evidence the interviewer will be looking for to tell them you can do the job.
Your Questions
Prepare the questions you want answered and ask them. Always ask open questions, e.g. Those beginning How? What? When? Why? Where? – this will encourage the interviewer to talk and provide you with extra information.
Consider asking the following if not already covered:
Ø How will you assess my performance?
Ø How has the position become vacant?
Ø What are the long term opportunities for promotion?
Ø What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
Ø How does the role fit into the organisation as a whole?
The Interview
Points to remember:
1.Presentation – first impressions last.
The interviewer will expect to see your smartest, most professional side during this meeting.
2.Punctuality- allow plenty of time
Be punctual. If you do find yourself unavoidably delayed, notify the company immediately giving the reason and your estimated time of arrival.
3.Conduct
Ensure a firm handshake and smile on the first meeting and maintain a high level of eye contact throughout. Be alert and enthusiastic – it is often the candidate who has shown the most interest that will be successful.
4.Useful hints
Ask about career progression, but do not allow your enthusiasm for future roles to outweigh the current position on offer. Employers will not want to feel that they may lose you after six months of training. If you have any reservations about the role/company do NOT show them. You may later hear details that revive your interest, but by then your chance will have been lost. You can always turn down second interviews and job offers after you have had a chance to appraise them in the cold light of day.
It is best not to ask detailed questions about terms and conditions, these will be clarified at the offer stage. If the interviewer opens a discussion about salary, indicate a range rather than a specific salary so that your options remain open for negotiation at a later stage.
Note - see additional questions at the back .
To increase your chances of receiving a job offer, you need to learn how to confidently and successfully respond to the questions you will be asked.
Here are 10 common questions with some comments as to the reasons they are asked and to the response expected. Remember, these questions are only suggestions, do not use them if you feel uncomfortable about them and try to individualise them as many candidates will receive the same suggestions!
Practise your own responses before interview.
Q. Tell me about yourself. The interviewer is really saying “I want to hear you talk.”
A. This is a loosened but is a common question so your response can stay the same. Write a script, rehearse it so it sounds impromptu. Spend a maximum of four minutes to describe your qualification, career history and your range of skills – emphasising those skills relevant to the job on offer.
Q. What have your achievements been to date? The interviewer is really asking: are you an achiever?
A. Again, this is a common question so be prepared. Select an achievement that is work related and fairly recent. Identify the skills you used in the achievement and quantify the benefit. For example, “my greatest achievement has been to design and implement a new sales ledger computer system - bring it in ahead of time and improve our debtors position, significantly, saving the company £50,000 in interest per month.”
Q. Are you happy with your career to date? The interviewer is really asking about your self-esteem and self-confidence, your career aspirations and whether you are a happy positive person.
A. The answer must be yes, but if you have hit a career plateau or you feel you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify the answer.
Q. What is the most difficult situation you have ever faced and how did you tackle it? The interviewer is really trying to find out what your definition of difficult is and whether you can show a logical approach to problem solving using your initiative.
A. This can be a trap! To avoid it, select a difficult work situation which was not caused by you and which can be quickly explained in a few sentences. Explain how you defined the problem, what the options were, why you selected the one you did and what the outcome was. Always end on a positive note.
Q. What do you like about your present job? The interviewer is really attempting to find out whether you will enjoy the things the job has to offer.
A. This is a straightforward question. All you have to do is make sure that your likes correspond to the skills etc. required in the job on offer. Be positive: describe your job as interesting and diverse but do not overdo it – after all, you’re leaving!
Q. What do you dislike about your present job? The interviewer is trying to find out whether the job on offer has responsibilities you will dislike or which will make you unsuitable.
A. Be careful with this one! Do not be too specific as you may draw attention to weaknesses which will leave you open to further problems. One approach is to choose a characteristic of your present company such as it’s size – it’s slow decision- making etc. Give your answer with the air of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job.
Q What are your greatest strengths? The interviewer wants a straightforward answer as to what you are good at and how it will add value.
A. This is one question you know you are going to get so there is no excuse for being unprepared. Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four explanations as to how they might benefit your new employer. Strengths to consider include technical proficiency, ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed, positive attitude, your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal. You may be asked to give examples so be prepared.
Q. What is your greatest weakness? The interviewer is asking about your self-perception and awareness.
A. This is another standard question from which you can be well prepared. Don’t say you have none – this will ensure further problems. You have two options – use a professed weakness such as lack of experience (not ability) on your part in an area that is not vital for the job. The second option is to describe a professional or personal weakness that could also be considered a strength and the steps you have taken to combat it. An example: “I know my team think I’m too demanding at times – I tend to drive them pretty hard but I’m getting much better at using the carrot and not the stick.” Do not use a personal weakness such as “ I’m not a morning person – I get much better as the day goes on.”
Q. What kind of decision do you find the most difficult? The interviewer is saying “I need someone who is strong and decisive but who has a human side.”
A. Your answer must not display weakness. Try to focus on decisions that have to be made without sufficient information. This will show your positive side. For example “I like to make decisions based on sufficient information and having alternatives. When you have to make quick decisions you have to rely on ‘gut feeling and experience.’
Q. Why do you want to leave your current employer? The interviewer is trying to understand and evaluate your motives for leaving.
A. This should be straightforward. State how you are looking for more challenge, responsibility, experience and a change of environment. NEVER be negative in your reasons for leaving, and it will rarely be appropriate to cite salary as the primary motivator.
Other questions to consider:
Ø How does your job fit into your department and company?
Ø What do you enjoy about the industry?
Ø Have you worked under pressure? (meaning – can you?)
Ø What kind of people do you like working with?
Ø Can you give me an example of when your work was criticised? (Be prepared for the next one of how you coped and the outcome)
Ø What is the worst situation you have faced outside work?(as above)
Ø Give me an example of when you have felt anger at work.
Ø What kind of people do you find it difficult to work with? (take care – you won’t know all the staff at the company at which you are being interviewed.)
Ø Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss.
Ø Give me an example of when you haven’t got on with others
Ø Give me an example of when you’ve had to face a conflict of interest at work.
Ø Do you prefer to work alone or in a group, and why?
Ø This organisation is very different to your current employer, how do you think you’re going to fit in? (you may not be able to answer until you have established what he/she perceives as the differences.)
Ø What are you looking for in a company?
Ø How do you measure your own performance?
Ø What kind of pressure have you faced at work?
Ø Are you a self-starter? Give an example to demonstrate this.
Ø Describe the biggest problem you have faced recently and how you resolved it.
Ø What changes in the workplace caused you difficulty and why?
Ø How do you feel about working long hours and/or the weekend?
Ø Give me an example of when you have been out of your depth.
Ø What con you bring to this organisation:
Ø What area of your skills do you want to improve? (try to relate this to the role on offer.)
Ø Why do you think you would like this role?
Ø Why should I give this job to you instead of the other people on the shortlist? (strengths)
Ø What reservations should I have about you as an employee? (weaknesses)
Ø What do you do in your spare time?
Ø What five adjectives would you use that describe you (both in and out of the workplace?)
