Now that the economy is showing such strong signs of picking up there are obviously going to be a lot more people out there going for interviews, so I thought the time might be right to revisit a blog I posted earlier this year on interview techniques and advice. I hope you find it useful.
The thing to remember is that an interview is a 2 way street - they are assessing you to see if you will fit their company, and you are assessing them to see if the company (and the role) fits you. If you just remember that, you'll find that you are a lot less nervous about the whole process!
If you're lucky and you're being put forward for the position by a reputable recruitment agency (like New Level Recruitment, for example :)) you will have been offered an interview preparation session before you go in - take it! The prep. session will not only cover the likely interview format and probable questions, but will also give you the chance to clarify in your mind the things you need to say and ask. It will also "limber you up" mentally and help you to relax once you get into the actual interview.
Good preparation is the key to ensuring a successful interview so be sure to go through the job description in detail prior to the interview and match that against your own unique experiences. The interviewer may also ask why you are specifically interested in working for the particular company, so ensure you have fully researched the company beforehand – the company website is a good place to start. The interviewer will initially ask you to talk through your CV and previous experiences. Below is a short list of just some of the questions you may be asked in an interview situation: Why are you looking for a new position? Tell me about yourself What interests you about and our company and this specific role? What strengths could you bring to the role? Describe two weaknesses\development areas - and what you are doing to address them How would your current manager describe you? Talk me through a recent achievement that you are proud of. Give me an example of when you have had to manage two or more conflicting priorities - what happened, what did you learn, how would you manage differently? Give me an example of when you last worked under pressure - what happened? You will probably have questions of your own that you would like to ask the interviewer, be sure to write down critical questions so you don’t forget. It is really important that you leave the interview having found out everything you need to know to decide if this is the right opportunity for you. Finally, before you leave the interview if you have decided that this is the position and company you have been looking for, make sure you tell the interviewer. It will ensure that the manager is in no doubt about your level of interest and it is a great way to make a lasting impression! By the way, I hope it goes without saying that you should always make sure you arrive in plenty of time, dress smartly (and appropriately) and take a copy of your CV, your passport and the job spec. with you. It all just helps things to go more smoothly!
Comments