How to prepare for an interview Summary.pdf

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW TYPES OF INTERVIEWS There are several different types of interview:  Telephone - Some graduate employers use an initial telephone interview to eliminate unsuitable candidates. Successful applicants are usually then invited to a face-to-face interview or an...

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW TYPES OF INTERVIEWS There are several different types of interview:  Telephone - Some graduate employers use an initial telephone interview to eliminate unsuitable candidates. Successful applicants are usually then invited to a face-to-face interview or an assessment centre. Telephone interviews usually last for around 30 minutes.  Video - An alternative to the traditional telephone interview, some organisations, particularly those recruiting in sales, media and marketing, will screen candidates via Skype, FaceTime or YouTube. Video interviews usually last for around 30 minutes.  Face-to-face - The most common type of interview, face-to-face encounters can take place with either one interviewer or, more commonly, a panel. In some rare cases, you may interview alongside other candidates and questioning can either be strengths-based or competency- based. Face-to-face interviews usually last for between one and two hours.  Assessment centres - Used primarily by large graduate employers to compare the performance of several candidates in a range of situations. Assessment centres typically involve tasks such as presentations, group work, written tests and in-tray exercises. They usually last for one full working day. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW  Planning is key  Do plenty of research  Find out about the people who'll interview you.  Research the issues, trends and opportunities affecting the organisation and the wider job sector.  Practice, practice, practice – in front of a mirror, a friend, a family member, tutor, etc.  Consider how you'll explain problematic aspects of your career, such as gaps in your work history.  Identify the skills, interests and experiences that the organisation is looking for by looking at its website and social media channels.  Plan your journey in advance, aiming to arrive ten minutes before your interview is scheduled and ideally completing a 'dry run' beforehand.  Prepare answers to common interview questions.  Prepare your own questions to ask at the interview.  On the night before your interview, avoid alcohol, prepare your outfit and get plenty of sleep.  On the morning of your interview, eat a healthy breakfast and don't consume too much caffeine.  Combat nerves by exercising - this creates feelings of wellbeing. WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU  A bottle of water  A pen and notepad 1   Money  Photo ID (e.g. your passport or driving licence)  The job description  The person specification  Originals and copies of your academic certificates  Work examples  Your CV  The completed application form  Interview invitation. WHAT TO WEAR TO AN INTERVIEW  For men: a dark suit and tie combination is the safest option.  For ladies, options range from a dress, trouser suit, or a skirt and blouse.  Black, navy or brown are the safest colours.  Clean and ironed outfit.  Avoid wearing too much jewellery or make-up  Cut and clean your fingernails  Nail polish regular colours  A smart briefcase or handbag  Polished shoes  Neatly done hair  Sparingly applied aftershave or perfume HOW TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION  Positive attitude  Well behaved with all staff  Be real. Stop the nerves  Don’t sob about your personal problems (unless applied strategically)  Don’t badmouth your former employers  Remind yourself that the very worst thing that could happen is you simply not getting the job. MONITOR YOUR BODY LANGUAGE  Only on request, give a firm handshake to your interviewer(s) before and after the session.  Wait to be invited to a seat.  Once seated, sit up straight. Don’t slouch in your chair or lean on the desk.  Retain friendly eye contact. Don’t be hostile.  Throughout the interview, remember to smile frequently. DURING THE INTERVIEW  Clarity - Answer all questions clearly and concisely.  Provide evidence for all your claims on relevant skills, experiences and achievements.  Don’t be afraid to take a pause before answering a difficult question. Give yourself time to think. 2   Ask for clarification if you're unsure about the question.  Speak slowly and calmly. Don’t rush over your responses.  Let your personality shine through. Be you.  Where possible, ask thought-provoking questions. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the job. AFTER THE INTERVIEW  As you leave, let the interviewer know that you're available to answer any follow-up questions.  The following day, email the interviewer and thank them for the opportunity and their time.  In case you are called for a second interview, seek feedback of the first interview to help you prepare for the second interview.  Prepare and research even more thoroughly for the second interview than your first interview as it will be more intense. COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES  Arriving late… Figure out how you’re going to get to your interview, plan your route and factor in any delays you may encounter. Better be an hour early than five minutes late.  Not calling ahead should there be a delay or a problem to you arriving on time.  Arriving unprepared for the interview.  Not having conducted adequate research on the company and on the role you are interviewing for.  Slouching on the chair  Dressing inappropriately and unprofessionally. Dress the part and feel confident with what you wear.  Cocky, know it all responses  Talking too much or not enough (it is a challenge to know how to balance but prior practice helps to know what to say or not say)  Not reading the mood in the interview room  Not focussing on your skill sets and valuable experiences and instead sharing more personal information  Not taking time to listen to the complete question  Interrupting the interviewer, talking over him/her and jumping into a response  Not taking time to gather your thoughts and respond appropriately to the question  Not giving enough information and forgetting to mention important points  If your mind goes blank, ask for time to think through it or to come back to it  Criticising and complaining about previous employers or colleagues  Failing to ask constructive questions about the job role, not your personal perks HOW TO SUCCEED AT INTERVIEW  Relax and show your natural personality so that the prospective employer can tell if you will be a good match for the company team  Be enthusiastic and have a positive attitude 3  Focus on your intended contribution to the company’s specific or overall growth and success  Talk about the future of the company and your role within it.  Demonstrate good manners - regular eye contact, a warm smile, a firm handshake (where need be), upright posture and decent seating.  Be polite to everyone you come into contact with including the security guard and the cleaners. 4