Interview Techniques

The interview is your opportunity to convince the prospective employer that you are the best person for the job. Success in the interview will not solely be determined by your skills and experience, but by the confident and well balanced manner by which you conduct yourself. Don't worry about being nervous, this is quite common. Simply use these nerves as a positive way of keeping you alert and focused.

Preparation

As with most things in life, good preparation is an essential part of a successful interview.

• Ensure that you know exactly where the interview will take place and at what time.
• Take a copy of directions, address and times with you in case you need reassurance.
• Confirm the name and pronunciation of the person who is interviewing you.
• Take the phone number of the company concerned so you can advise them should you be delayed.
• Allocate plenty of time for your journey.
• Find out the length of the interview and make other appointments around this.
• Re-appraise yourself with your CV and ensure you can talk confidently about your previous employment.

Research

It is amazing how often people attend interviews knowing, nothing or very little about the company and it's products or services. A little background research will not only provide you with more information relevant to the role you would perform but may also boost your confidence at interview. Even a little knowledge will show the employer that you have made an effort to find out whether you would fit in and can make a successful career within their organization.

Your consultant at C&D will always try to provide you with as much relevant information about the company concerned but there are also other productive sources of information such as; the company's web-site (as well as those of it's partners and competitors), Hambros Company Guide and the companies annual reports.
Questions

Think about the types of questions you may be asked beforehand so that you don't get caught out by these under the pressure of the interview session. Many questions appear regularly in interviews such as:-

What are your strengths?
What are your major weaknesses and how have you dealt with them?
Why do you think you would be good for our organisation?
Where would you like to be in five years time?
What interests you about working for our company?
What does teamwork mean to you?
How would you deal with a difficult colleague or customer?

It is also equally important to have some good positive questions in mind to ask at the interview. Nothing leaves a negative impression like being asked if there are any further questions and replying no. The questions should be a positive nature, maybe company strategy, career progression, training etc but not of the "how much holiday do I get" variety.

Appearance and Etiquette

Remember that first impressions count more than any others and although people should not "judge a book by it's cover" many do. Dress smartly in a manner appropriate to the type of job you are applying for. Always wear smart business-like clothes (suit and tie for the gentlemen and smart skirt/dress for the ladies) and polish your shoes. Always greet people with good manners and shake hands when you enter and leave. Remember to thank the interviewer for their time and say that you look forward to hearing from them.

Attitude

Always remember that if your skills and experience alone were enough to get you a job that there would not be an interview process at all. The interviewer will be trying, amongst other things, to establish that you are both positive about the job being offered and that you have the right personality, aptitude and loyalty to fit in with their company and current employees.

You should find the right balance between selling yourself to the interviewer without appearing boastful or over confident. The general rule is to be assertive but never aggressive. Do not spend time criticising your previous employers because this merely gives the impression of being a trouble-maker.

Do not pretend that you have no weaknesses, because everybody does, alternatively try to show how you have recognised these and turned them in to positives.

Above all else treat all interviews as if you are trying to secure your ideal job. Too many people regret afterwards they hadn't put more effort in to a failed interview.

The person interviewing you wants you to be the right person as much as you do, so be positive and believe in yourself.