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Career Advice - Interviews
So you've successfully secured an interview. Excellent!
You obviously look good on paper; now you have to impress them in person.
Interviewers generally look at three key areas: Can you do the job? Will you do the job? Will you fit in? They already have a good idea of your intellect and ability. The interview allows them to analyse your skills, strengths and other qualities.
Preparation
An interview is a two-way process. This is an opportunity for both parties to discover more about each other. If you have little or no interview experience, you are likely to suffer from pre-interview nerves. This is nothing unusual and experienced interviewers will expect it. Remember: nerves are good – they show you want the job.
Preparing thoroughly for your interview will enable you to tailor your questions, increase your confidence and show the employer you are keen, thoughtful and can plan ahead. Think of responses that will back up your positive qualities. Try and use stories or to give examples, because they are more likely to stick in an interviewer's mind.
- Think about where your strongest skill or strength lies. This is what sets you apart from the rest. Where have you successfully employed this in the past? Outline what you did – and the results.
- Showing enthusiasm to learn new skills is vital. Think about past occasions when you have actively taken on new skills and methods.
- Problem-solving is a major area for scrutiny in interviews, so prepare some anecdotes about problems you have encountered and overcome.
- Interests or pastimes are important to a recruiter because they demonstrate your motivation, values and in some cases your intelligence. Think about leisure activities that may have relevant attributes for your potential career. Do not be reluctant to talk about them, if appropriate.
Do your homework on the organisation for which you are interviewing. Showing that you have done this is critical, as it will demonstrate that you are keen, confident and knowledgeable. You can also sell yourself by introducing your research through questions.
- Contact the company and ask them to send you some literature, such as annual reports, newsletters and brochures, or use the Internet or your local library. Alternatively, Fairplace can conduct company research for you: simply email us via the Web site.
- Read relevant trade journals and use your network of contacts to see if you can find out anything about the company and the person who will be interviewing you.
Your questions
It is important to have a few questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview. Nine times out of 10 you will be asked if you have questions and it can look bad if you do not have at least a couple. Prepare in advance. Use a plain postcard to note your questions down, but remember: do not ask about terms and conditions until you have been offered the job. Try to ask about things that will show your keenness for the position. For example:
- Ask them to expand on the details of the job itself – the job profile
- Ask about what the team is currently working on
- Ask what type of training is provided
- Be careful with respect to questions about promotion. It is a minefield, so you are better off asking an oblique question, such as, 'How do you see the role developing?'
- Find out why they are recruiting for this position
- Asking questions about the interviewer is always a winner. People love talking about themselves. How did you get into this industry? What do you like about working for this company? Where do you see the company being in five years' time?
But, if you don't care about the answer, don't ask the question.
What to wear
Remember: first impressions always count. The interview is one of the few occasions when a smart dress code is still essential and expected. You should ensure you appear well groomed, but comfortable. Check your hair, clothes and shoes. If you wear perfume or aftershave, ensure it is discreet. The golden rule here is not to distance yourself from your interviewer by your appearance: nothing too outrageous – this is definitely not the time for a fashion statement.
Your manner
The person interviewing you will be looking for qualities that demonstrate your ability to do a good job, while making a positive contribution to their organisation. They also want to find out if you hold similar values to them.
- Listen carefully to the information you are given and the questions you are asked
- Do not argue, criticise former employers or colleagues or talk about domestic/personal matters
- Do not be either overly modest or boastful; think carefully about your responses and try to remain calm and collected while responding
Most importantly, be yourself! Remember, the interviewer needs to see the real you to decide whether or not you will fit into the organisation.
Your body language
What is your perception of good body language? Statistically, up to 55% of a recruiter's decision is based on your body language.
- Wait to be asked to sit down
- Maintain eye contact; this can be difficult to do for protracted periods in a one-on-one interview, so look at the top of the interviewer's ear instead, he or she will not notice – try it on someone and see
- Use forward movements and nod to show you are listening
- Pick a position for your legs that is appropriate and comfortable and leave them there; do not fidget
- If you use your hands to gesticulate, keep them at or below elbow level
What interviewers look for
Did you know that fewer than 10% of British managers are trained in interview techniques? You will be fortunate to meet a highly skilled interviewer. It helps to remember that the interviewer is human too and may be just as nervous as you!
Interviewers have two clear objectives:
- To identify the best candidate.
- To fill the vacancy as soon as possible.
They also have three key considerations:
- Can you do the job? This is normally the most straightforward part of the interview. They have already been attracted by something in your CV or application. They are likely to ask you about your career choices and pose situational questions: What would you do if …? More organised interviewers may require you to participate in tests, presentations or team meetings, where applicable. Do not just repeat what is on your CV; bring it to life with examples.
- Will you do the job? This is often harder to convey because you need to communicate your motivation for applying. The interviewer might ask you what you know about the organisation, how the job fits with your long-term career plans or what attracted you to the job.
- Will you fit in? Questions about fit are a crucial part of the job interview process. You need to be prepared to answer questions about personality, your style of working, how you operate within a team, your strengths and weaknesses and possibly your views on topical issues.
To help you further, the Institute, in association with Fairplace, offers you guidance on interviewing skills and company research, as well as a raft of other career advice and information. You can even listen to audio examples of interviews.
Good luck with any future interviews.
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