interviews
preparation
find out about the company
Find out as much as you can about the company: exactly what products or services does the company create or offer; how big is it; how many employees does it have; who are the key personnel; and what is the company’s history.
Re-read the job description
You need to be thoroughly acquainted with the job description. Re-read it. Make bullet-point notes on the tasks, responsibilities, location, and the structure of the team. Note any requirements which are unique to the job.
re-read the person description
Many job application packs include a person description which lists the attributes which the company is looking for in the individual they will appoint. Re-read the person description. Make bullet-point notes so you can remember what they want.
re-read your application
Re-read and review your application. This is the information that you provided and it’s what they’ve used to short-list you for interview. You may have stated specific reasons for your interest in the post, for example. You don’t want to be saying something different at the interview.
think through all the standard questions
Interviewers will ask certain standard questions. They’re important. Think about the answers in advance, so that you can answer them clearly and concisely. The questions:
- What are your qualifications?
- Why do you want the job?
- How do your skills and experience match the requirements of the post?
- What jobs have you done previously?
- What did you achieve in those jobs?
- Why did you leave them?
- What is the reason for any gaps in your employment?
- What are your long term ambitions?
From your research into the company, and your review of the job description, person description and your application, other probable questions may occur to you. Note them down. Think about your answers to these as well.
prepare questions that you will ask the interviewer
You will nearly always be asked if you have any questions. The research you’ve done into the company may naturally throw up some general questions. Think about questions relating to your role; enquire about the next stage in the interview process.
practise responding to interview questions
Don’t take this too far: you’re not aiming to learn a full script for your interview. But by practising answers to some of the questions, with a friend, you will get a feel for what you need to say and how you need to say it. It’ll really help your confidence.
at the interview
how to look and act
If you’ve prepared properly, you should feel confident that you can answer whatever question(s) the interviewer may put to you. But no matter what you say, you might lose the job if you don’t know how to look and express yourself. So:
- Dress well
- Give a strong handshake
- Smile
- Establish good eye contact
- Show enthusiasm
- Express interest in the company and the job
- Be confident in yourself and in your abilities
elaborate on the information in your application
The interview offers you an opportunity to expand on the information on your application form. Think about your previous, relevant experience, and any successful outcomes, and be prepared to describe this in detail so that the interviewer understands that you have the skills and expertise to do the job capably and well.
and if you don’t get the job...
Don’t worry. Don’t dwell on it. You might not have performed as well as you could have, true. But then again, the interviewers might have been looking for someone with a completely different kind of personality or set of qualifications or experience. So, if they decide not to appoint you, it’s not an absolute judgement on your employability. Sometimes, that’s just the way it goes.