In today’s market it is extremely rare to obtain any kind of employment without first attending an interview. The purpose of an interview is not only for the employer to assess whether you are suitable for them but also your opportunity to ascertain whether the particular role you are applying for suits you. It is an information gathering exercise for both parties.

The key thing to remember is the three P’s:

• Preparation
• Practice
• Performance

Preparation

• Research -  Researching the organisation before you attend is beneficial for a number of reasons. Some interviewers will ask what do you know about their company. If you are unable to answer it can give the impression that your not that keen on working for them, it can also lead on to questions like “Why do you want to work for us?” which if you haven’t researched the company, can prove quite difficult to answer.  You can gain information from a number of sources including the website, other people that work there, recruitment consultants, company literature and the library for bigger companies.

• Have Your Own Questions – This follows on from research, if you have questions prepared it also shows the interviewer that you have done your homework. Don’t be afraid to have a list to read off if you can’t remember them all, it looks prepared and enthusiastic to the employer.

• Standard Questions -Prepare answers to standard questions (see standard questions below)

• Where & Who Ensure that you know who you are meeting and where, try and find out the format of the interview, is it one to one, a panel? Will there be any tests?

• Plan your journey – Know exactly where you are going. If you have time, go down to the site in the evening, plan your journey allowing for traffic and hold ups. Nothing worse than turning up flustered because you are running late.

• Dress For Success -  Only 7% of the impression you make at an interview is down to what you say. The rest – a staggering 93% - is down to your body language, your behaviour and your personal presentation. For the ladies smart and professional is best. This is a time where less is definitely not more! For the gents again smart and professional even if the job you are going for does not require you to wear a suit, it always makes a good impression at interview stage. Always be clean shaven and go easy on the aftershave you don’t want to knock the whole office out!

Performance

On the day:

• Arrive Early – About 10 minutes early. Any sooner is not beneficial to you and arriving late immediately puts the employer on a negative start.
• Smile! -   Be pleasant and smile at everybody, not just the people you are meeting, you don’t know who is wandering about who may influence the final decision.
• Application Forms – If you are given a form to fill out take your time and be as neat as you can. A lot of employers use this method as a way of assessing your presentation skills.
• Meeting & Greeting - When presented with the interviewer/s offer a firm handshake and maintain eye contact without boring holes through them. Take a seat when offered and wait for them to start. Maintain a positive stance sitting up straight without fiddling with pens, hair or fingernails. Avoid crossing legs or arms or leaning back or putting your feet up and most importantly don’t yawn!
• Answer Questions - Try to give direct answers to questions without going off at a tangent or answering questions with a question. Don’t interrupt the interviewer, even if they interrupt you, let them lead. Try to give examples of your experience rather than one word answers –
• Use your Research & Questions – There is no point doing all the preparation if you don’t demonstrate to the employer that you have done your homework. Work in to the conversation what you know about the company in the form of a question if need be. Most employers will give you the opportunity to ask questions, if they should forget take the initiative and ask them at the end.
• Be Professional – Don’t criticize your current or past employer however tempted you are. It is unprofessional and doesn’t reflect well on you. If asked why you want to leave, answer with positives such as “ I am looking for career progression” or “ I am looking to develop new skills”. Also, don’t give the impression that you are simply looking for more money.
• Get Commitment -  Before you leave ask what the recruitment process is going to be, will they be doing second interviews or making offers straight away, and on what timescales.

STANDARD QUESTIONS

The following are commonly used interview questions, be prepared to answer such questions prior to interview. Take notes in with you if necessary.

“ Tell me about yourself”

This is an opportunity for the employer to assess your personality and work ethos. Keep it specific and relevant to the job and company.

“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

Keep this relevant to the job, talking about positive things you have achieved, try and show weaknesses in a positive light by showing how you have overcome them.

“Why do you want to work for us?

Don’t give financial reasons, talk about company culture, training etc..

“ Why should we hire you?”

Again. Keeping positive showing you can be an asset to the company, without being arrogant.

 “Where do you see yourself in five years time?”

Be ambitious but realistic.

“ Why did you leave your last job?”

Be honest without being discriminating to any past employers. Demonstrate how you have learnt from your mistakes.

“What sort of salary are you expecting?”

Try and find out what is on offer prior to the interview, be realistic.