Interview Technique

The prospect of a job interview will leave most of us feeling anxious and apprehensive. However with a little preparation you can enter the interview feeling confident that whatever happens you are ready.

Depending on the type of job you are applying for, this will to some extent determine the style used by the interviewer and the types of questions they will ask.

For a role requiring a techincal skill, you may be given a short test. While a role involving dealing with the public, could involve you describing how you would deal with a particular scenario.

Personality tests in general are becoming increasingly common, particularly with large companies and for senior roles. They are not as sinister as they are sometimes perceived to be. An interviewer won't rely solely on the results of the test, but use it to give them an idea of how you might handle certain situations. Depending on the job, some traits may be seen as strengths, whilst for another job they might be seen as weaknesses.

Before the Interview

Before going to an interview check you know where the company is located, and make sure you know how long it will take to get there. It is worth making a trial journey beforehand if you are at all unsure of where the company is, don't forget to allow extra time during peak hours to get there. It is better to arrive early than late!

Try to do some background reading about the company, a good source of information for large companies is the annual report, this will highlight the aims and goals of the company. Another good source of information can be the company's website, even small companies have websites now which give information about themselves.

Read through your CV, and make sure you can answer questions that the interviewer might ask you about what you've written, particularly your achievements, but also anything else unusual on your CV. Your CV is likely to be the most the interviewer knows about you before the interview.

First Impressions Count

The first impression the interviewer will have of you when you arrive for the interview, is how you're dressed and your appearance. Make sure that what you plan to wear is smart and tidy, and check everything is ready the night before. Make sure you have plenty of time in the morning to get ready, as well as to get to the interview.

Body language is very important, it suggests what you're thinking about. Looking around the room, or gazing out of the window, will suggest you're not that interested, while sitting with your arms folded can suggest that you're being defensive.

Interview Questions

You might think that there are any number of questions that the interviewer can ask so there is no point in preparing for certain questions. Whilst this is possible, it's unlikely. The questions the interviewer will possibly fall into one of two categories, those about you as a person, and those that lead from your CV.

It is easy to go to the other extreme and over prepare, rehearsing answers to specific questions. This can give the impression of not listening, particularly when you answer the question you wanted to be asked not the one the interviewer actually asked. Overall you should be happy talking in more detail about the content of your CV, as well as being able to talk about some of your life outside of work.

A favourite question of interviewers is to ask what your weaknesses are. Everyone has weaknesses, so it's not aimed as a trick question, the important thing is to balance your answer, giving the positive side as well the negative side of the weakness. Identifying that you have a weakness is a good thing, it shows that you are aware of yourself and of how others perceive you.

After the Interview

After the interview, think about what went well, and what didn't go so well. Use every interview to learn about the type's of questions, and how to answer them better if you feel you didn't answer them well this time.

If you are unsuccessful, ask the interviewer for feedback on the interview, did they feel you didn't answer some questions very well, or were there other reasons? For prepared candidates the difference between successful and unsuccessful candidates will be quite slim, so it isn't a personal reflection on you.

Good Luck!

Call us on 01273 704927 or email info@engagers.co.uk