Make first impressions count

The moment you enter that interview room can set the scene for the whole interview.  Professional interviewers are looking carefully for clues about you.

• How you present yourself.
• The possible future impact you may have on their staff or clients.

Dress correctly

What you choose to wear when you attend an interview speaks volumes about how seriously you want the job.  If it is not appropriate to the role, your chances of being offered the post are greatly reduced. 

Here are some  pointers.

•  Make sure you look smart – this will normally be a suit.
•  Avoid wearing anything wacky.
•  Long-sleeve shirts look more professional than short-sleeves.
•  Keep your interview outfit special for the day so it isn’t crumpled.
•  Ensure shoes are appropriate and are cleaned and polished.
•  If you have to carry anything use a briefcase not a rucksack.
•  Make sure your hair is well groomed and does not cover your face
•  Have clean  nails.
•  And take a brolly if there’s even the slightest hint of rain!

 Remember that you’re not going on a date, or attending the stage or a fashion shoot.  It pays to look the part.

Body language

Here you will learn to come over as the type of person who could make a valid contribution to their organisation.  Try the tips listed here.

•  Enter the room confidently and quickly.
•  Look them in the eye and extend your hand for a positive, but not over-strong, handshake and keep your hand upright
•  Smile naturally when appropriate, but don’t look like a grinning idiot.
•  They will invite you to sit down.  Don’t slump.   Sit up with a straight back.
•  Don’t cross your arms or put your hands in your pockets.
•  Look at them, not at the floor but break your gaze momentarily from time to time.
•  When they are talking appear interested at all times and nod accordingly as they speak.
•  Don’t cut across them when they in the middle of a point and keep your hands on your lap.
•  When you respond talk clearly and with enthusiasm and slightly slower than normal
•  You can emphasise points with hand gestures – but never point or tap on their desk.
•  Mirror the interviewer.  Laugh when they laugh, lean forward when they do.

Prepare your answers in advance

One area where you can really prepare yourself in advance is the answers to questions you’re likely to be asked.  Interviewers often have a set of stock questions that they ask all candidates.  The different responses made by each candidate enable him or her to assess their relative strengths.

They also like to throw in some testing questions to see how you react.  If you’re ready with a polished answer it will help you shine and make for a more relaxed interview on your part.

• There are a number of ways to respond to different questions. 
• There are opportunities to highlight specific skills and achievements.
• There are times when the interviewer is looking directly for information, which you need to provide with clarity. 
• The interviewer may ask you negative questions such as the disappointments you’ve had in your career.  Always turn these into a positive.
• Blue-sky questions may be fired at you to test your response to unexpected requests.

Of course, no one can predict exactly what the interviewer may ask, so you’ll have to be ready to think on you feet!

In all answers, it is best to provide a positive response rather than dwell on past negative experiences.  And remember, as well as specific skill-sets that the job requires, they’ll also be interested in other abilities such as problem-solving, analytical, communications, leadership and interpersonal skills.

Here is our selection of the most common questions.  Take time to prepare great answers in advance.

Questions where you can sell yourself

Tell me about yourself.

• Why do you want this job?
• What would you expect to accomplish here?
• Where do you want to be in five years time?
• Do you consider yourself to be a natural leader?
• What attracts you to this role?
• What does success mean to you?
• What are your career aspirations?
• What have been your major accomplishments?
• How would members of your team describe you?
• What really motivates you?
• What special skills do you have?
• What is your greatest strength?
• What do you do on your days off?

 Questions where the interviewer is seeking informative answers

•  What do you know about this firm?
• What is a typical week’s work in your current job?
• Describe your greatest challenge so far
• What are you looking for in your next job?
• How long have you been looking for another position?
• Why do you want to work for this firm?
• What can we offer that your current firm cannot?
• Do you deal with any of your firm’s top ten clients?
• How do you determine priorities?
• Why should I hire you?
• How do you handle criticism?
• What makes a good manager?
• How do you run a meeting?

Questions where you may need to turn a negative into a positive

• Why do you want to leave your current employer?
• What has been your greatest challenge in business so far?
• What are your key strengths or weaknesses?
• What thing irritates you most in the workplace?
• Describe your toughest client?
• How do you work under pressure?
• Describer a difficult work situation and how you managed it
• What do you dislike about your current role?
• Which tasks don’t you like to do?
• Is there anyone in your current organisation you really don’t get on with?
• Do you make your opinions known if you disagree with a more senior member of staff?
• How do you feel about working weekends?
• Why aren’t you earning more at this stage of your career?
• Why were you made redundant/fired?

Blue-sky questions

• What would you do if you won the lottery?
• If you became Prime Minister what would be the first thing you’d change?
• What do you think of me as an interviewer?
• If you had to move to another industry, which would you choose?

Remember, you could be asked any of these questions at any time of the interview.  If you don’t have a good answer you could significantly reduce your chances of being selected for the position.

Our recommendation is that, using our guidelines, you develop first-class answers and rehearse them until you’re word perfect.  Of course, your answers need to reflect your experience and own personality, and appear a perfectly natural response. 

Effective questions to ask

It’s the stage in the interview when the interviewer asks you if you have any questions that you have another chance to shine.

By deciding the questions you’d like to ask in advance, you will be able to add to an already impressive performance.

Here are some great ones to ask.  They will demonstrate that you have an enquiring mind and an interest in the firm.  Don’t ask questions to which they have already given answers.  And just pick three or four succinct questions.

• Why has this vacancy arisen?
• How do you review performance?
• How was the job handled in the past?
• What would you expect of me in the first six months?
• What do you see as my key long-term challenges?
• What is the expected career path for this position?
• Do you expect me to develop new expertise in any areas?
• What are the characteristics of successful people in this firm?
• Where would I fit into the overall structure?
• Will anyone report into me?
• Who would I report to and what is the line of authority?
• Is any training required as part of this job?
• What are the opportunities for advancement/promotion?
• What is the firm’s long-term strategy?
• Is the firm looking to expand into new areas?
• What is the largest challenge facing the firm at the moment?
• How would you describe the firm’s values?
• Is there likely to be any relocation in the future?

Give that great interview

You’ve made it on to the short list and have a date for the interview.  You’ve completed all your preparations.  Now all you need do is get it right on the day.

But first things first.  One factor you must bear in mind above all else is that you can never, never be late. 

• If necessary, aim to arrive 30 minutes early – you can always find somewhere to have a coffee. 
• If you’re travelling some distance allow for every eventuality. 
• As soon as you’ve reached your destination, make sure you can physically locate their reception. 

Individual or team interview

There are two types of interview.  An interview or series of interviews conducted by an individual, and a team interview. 

It may be that you just have a one-off interview and that’s it.  It could be that you are interviewed separately by a number of people such as the HR specialist, then the departmental manager, then with their boss. 

The other type of interview is a panel or team interview.  Here you are interviewed by a number of people at the same time. 

You’ll find people have different interviewing styles.  Some stick formally to a script, whilst others appear to be selling the job to you!

 In a team interview, give each one your attention as you respond to a question.  Remember to bring other team members into your eye-line during your answer to connect them all with your response.

Try and assess the dynamics of a team.  Then adapt your approach to the type of people they are.  You may not know the role of each person, and who the real decision-maker is, so treat everyone with equal respect.

Whatever their style, you’ll find what you are learning here of immense value in helping you win that coveted job.

The interview

You’ve entered the interview room, met your interviewer(s) and sat down.  Remember what we said about body language and presentation!  

• If you’re asked if you would like a drink, settle for water.  You never know if you might get a frog in your throat and a burning hot cup of coffee won’t help.
• A reminder again about how you sit, without slouching.  Look enthusiastic, friendly and attentive.
• You’ll have your armoury of answers to many of the key questions they will ask.  If you get asked a question you’re really not prepared for, take it slowly and clearly.
• Remember to give a positive answers without any negatives attached. 
• Stay away from personal information or derogatory remarks about your existing employer.
• The overall effect should be one of someone who is professional, positive, and approachable, with good judgement and an effective business-like manner. 
• It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role – but don’t look desperate.
• Keep your answers concise and don’t ramble.
• When the interviewer has finished asking you questions, demonstrate your knowledge and interest in their firm by asking a few appropriate questions. 
• It looks good if they can see that you are pro-active and have bothered to find out information about them.

Never forget throughout the whole interview process, you need to convince them you are the best person for the job.  Make them believe that:

• It’s a role you would handle very capably
• You would be a real asset to their firm

Finally…

When you stand up to leave, look them in the eye, smile, shake hands with them again, and thank them for their time. 

If you really feel the job is right for you, tell them:

• How impressed you are with their organisation
• This is exactly the job you’re looking for
• That you feel you could really make a very positive contribution to their business.

A follow-up can pay dividends

As soon as you finished your interview, call your consultant.  It’s an opportunity to provide early feedback to them on how you felt it went.  Mention where you felt it went particularly well as these can be strengths you can build on.

It’s also worth making notes to remind you of any aspects that could have been dealt with better.  After all, some jobs require a second interview!

Sometimes, it can be worth writing to or emailing the person who interviewed you.  You can thank them for the opportunity and confirm that you have a real interest in the position.  Discuss this with your consultant as to whether it is advisable in this particular case.

Importantly, don’t let any failure deter you.  There can be a host of unrelated reasons as to why you weren’t chosen for that vacancy.  Instead look on it as an opportunity to hone your interview techniques and skills.  Practice makes perfect, and it shouldn’t take too long before you land the job you really wanted.

Good luck and happy job-hunting!