Interview Tips
Having had years of experience in recruitment and helping people find the right jobs, we know more than most about what determines a successful interview. Here are some useful tips collated by our team to help you make the most out of that all important interview:
Preparation before the interview:
- Find out the address of the interview well in advance. Plan how you will travel there and take into account traffic delays.
- Do your homework. Conducting background research into what the company does and how it goes about doing it will go down well with interviewers. Company websites and trade journals are a good place to start looking.
- Work out your key strengths well in advance. Be prepared to tell the organisation what sets you apart from any other interviewees.
- Practice possible questions and think intensely about the types of answers you want to give and the impression you want to convey.
- If in doubt, check it out. Do not be afraid to ask questions prior to the interview if they are essential to your ability to perform on the day.
- It is okay to be nervous. During the interview process there may be times when you feel worried or scared. This is acceptable and entirely natural. Try not to let these feelings take over in a negative way, instead use them to motivate and drive you.
First impressions count:
- Arrive at the interview venue early. This will give you time to prepare and gather your thoughts before starting.
- You never have a second opportunity to make a first impression. Ensure that you are well presented in suitable attire.
- Think happy, be happy and sell yourself. A positive outlook will help to promote you. This does not mean being arrogant or overconfident but simply self assured in your own ability to add value to the organisation.
During the Interview:
- Stay focused. Do not feel the need to ramble and fill quiet periods with useless (or even unfavourable) information. Listen to the question being asked and ensure you answer it to the best of your ability.
- Communication works two ways, speaking and listening. Listening is sometimes difficult to do, especially when nervous. However, speaking over the top of someone or answering a question that has not even been asked does not go down well.
- Do not be afraid to ask for a few seconds to think of an answer. The interviewer will not mind that you would like a second to think of the most suitable and relevant answer. They may appreciate the fact you take time to think before leaping into an answer.
- Maintain eye contact.
Following the Interview:
- Say thanks. There is no harm in sending an e-mail thanking the organisation for taking time to see you. It demonstrates your ability to exhibit aftercare and reveals that you viewed the interview as important.
- Do not be impatient. Organisations may need some time prior to making decisions. Pestering companies for an answer may have a detrimental effect on your overall application.
Finally, a few things that you should NEVER do:
- Aim not to speak ill of previous employers. Most organisations will value a degree of loyalty.
- Never expect the job as a certainty. You must remember to work hard in the interview and inform the interviewee of what you want them to know.
- Never lie. Organisations will find out if individuals lie and as a result of an unnecessary untruth they may not employ, or even fire at a later date, an individual who would have otherwise been ideal for the role.
To speak to a member of the Good People recruitment team about how we can arrange interviews with the organisations you want, please phone our Bolton office on 01204 373698 or use our online contact form.
