Interview Advice

The short time you spend at a job interview can have a dramatic effect on YOUR career prospects!

No matter how many interviews you may have conducted yourself don't fail the interview because you are 'rusty' at being interviewed yourself. Here are some hints and tips from Executive Futures to help you perform at your best on the day.

Be prepared for questions like:

• What are your greatest achievements?

• How would your boss describe you?

• How would your staff describe your leadership style?

• Why would you like to work for this company?

• What do you want to be doing in your career five years from now?

• What recommendations could you get from your previous employers?

• Which job did you enjoy most? Why?

• How do you spend your spare time?

• Why is this a good move for you?

• What do you really want to do in life?

• What was your biggest failure?

• What areas for improvement were highlighted in your last appraisal?

• What entrepreneurial activities have you been engaged in?

• What did you do in your last role that demonstrates your initiative?

• What interests you about our product or service?

Negative Factors to watch out for:

During the course of an interview, the employer will be picking up negative as well as positive attributes such as;

• Poor personal appearance

• Limp handshake

• 'Over answering' questions

• Lack of enthusiasm - passive and indifferent

• Poor eye contact with interviewer

• Lack of tact/maturity/courtesy

• Over-emphasis on financial remuneration

• Political naivety

• Condemnation of past employers

• Persistent attitude of 'what can you do for me?'

• Overbearing, superior or "know-it-all" attitudes

• Inability to express thoughts clearly and concisely

• Avoids issues or makes excuses for unfavourable factors in record

• Inability to give good examples or evidence to support statements

• Lack of knowledge about the Sector, Company or job

• Failure to ask intelligent and relevant questions about the role

Inteview Preparation Checklist

• Be able to recall your key achievements with specific examples and facts

• Think through possible answers to the 'obvious' questions (and the ones you don't want to be asked!)

• If you are going to be asked to undertake psychometric tests take a look at www.shldirect.com where you will find some practice questions

• Imagine yourself in the interviewer's position what questions would you ask?

• Pay attention to all aspects of your apperance

• Take a spare copy of your CV with you

• Check you have a location map or get one from the Company or the Internet. (See www.multimap.com)

• Check the exact place and time of the interview, the interviewer's full name, the correct pronunciation and his/her title

• Make sure you prepare any information requested by the Company for the interview

• Where possible get background information and job details in advance

• Find out specific facts about the company e.g. what are its products and services; what growth has been achieved; what issues are they facing, recent news items etc. (Executive Futures provide candidates with comprehensive information related to our assignments but this is not always the case with other Organisations)

• Some obvious helpful sources are the Company's own website, the annual report, Current/past employees

• Prepare the questions you might ask e.g.

            (a) Scope of job plus key responsibilities and targets?

            (b) Biggest challenges and obstacles to be overcome?

            (c) Reason the position is available?

            (d) Anticipated induction and training programme?

            (e) What are the opportunities and risks? 

Some tips to remember!

• Arrive on time or a few minutes early

• Be a good listener as well as a good talker

• Be natural, relaxed and enthusiastic. Smile

• Follow the interviewer's leads and try to get him/her to describe the position and the duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to the position

• Don't ramble and tell your life history unless it's relevant and not boring!

• Make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself to an interviewer. Make him/her realise the need for you in his/ her organisation

• Don't lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as 'to the point' as possible

• Don't ever make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies

• Know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range

• Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing

Closing the interview

• If you are interested in the position, ask for it. Ask for the next interview if the situation demands. If he/she offers the position to you, and you want it, accept on the spot. If you wish some time to think it over, be courteous and tactful in asking for that time. Set a definite date when you can provide an answer.

• Don't be too discouraged if no definite offer is made or specific salary discussed. The interviewer will probably be interviewing more applicants before making a decision.

• If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, don't let your discouragement show. Once in a while an interviewer who is genuinely interested in your possibilities may seem to discourage you in order to test your reaction.

• Thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration of you. If you have answered the questions uppermost in his/her mind: (a) Why are you interested in the job and the company? (b) What can you offer? and (c) Can you do the job? - You have done all you can.

After the Interview

Lastly, call your consultant at Executive Futures who referred you to the position immediately after the interview and explain what happened. He/she will want to talk with you before the interviewer calls him/her back. If you are interested in progressing further it will assist if your feelings towards the position are known, together with your perception of what the client's reaction is likely to be.

 If you found this information helpful please take a look at the following link to our sponsored charity www.thebutterflytree.org.uk

Thanks and good luck!