Interview Guidelines for Job Seekers

Congratulations! You have reached the next milestone in securing a position – an interview with your prospective employer. The manner in which you present yourself to a potential employer may dramatically affect your chances of securing the role. These suggestions are designed to assist you with your interview, they are based on best practice, our consulting expertise, along with understanding our clients’ needs and expectations.

About Researching & Planning For Your interview

Research the company that are interviewing you – most prospective employers have established Internet sites. Prepare questions that demonstrate your interest in their company.

• What about ongoing training?
• Company background?
• Need more information?
  Try Google…

Be prepared for questions that include:

• What can you tell me about yourself?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• What can you offer the company?
• What do you understand about this role? (Check with your About Recruitment consultant)
• Where do you see yourself in five years time? What interests you about our products and services?
• What is your major weakness and how have you addressed it?
• Describe a difficult situation at work – how you dealt with it?
• What in your work has been a significant accomplishment and how did you achieve it?

As many companies use behavioural interviewing as their benchmark for interviews, it is important to answer the questions in three parts:

• Use a real example to set the scene.
• Tell the interviewer what you did to improve or rectify the situation.
• The answer should have a positive outcome.

Show a thorough knowledge of your current or most recent company.

About Personal Preparation For Your Interview

Things to Do:

Dress for success and appropriately to suit the organisation – as an example for an office based position at a finance or insurance company:

• Men – black, dark grey or dark blue suits, good starched shirt and tie.
• Ladies – dark business suits and stockings.
• Shiny polished shoes.

• For a technical, trade or call centre type environments, business casual attire may be more appropriate. Speak to your About Recruitment consultant if in doubt.
• Pay attention to all aspects of your grooming including hands, nails, cleanliness and personal hygiene (have a mint handy).
• Carry a spare copy of your resume, all supporting documentation including academic transcripts and examples of your work.
• Confirm the time, address, interviewer’s name (including pronunciation) and title with your About Recruitment Consultant.
• Arrive a few minutes early for the interview, without rushing.
• Switch off your mobile telephone prior to the appointment.

• Avoidover dressing for example as you would for a night at the opera or for a party with friends, rather dress appropriately in corporate attire.
• Avoidchipped nail polish, dirty hands or clothes.
• Avoidarriving late for your interview. If you are unavoidably delayed, always call About Recruitment so that we can advise the interviewer.
• Avoidcontacting the company directly - if you have any questions or want to communicate with your prospective employer contact your About Recruitment consultant who will act on your behalf.

About Your Performance During The Interview

Things to Do:

• Smile
  
• Remember body language – shake hands firmly, while maintaining eye contact. (Check palms for dampness prior to entering.)
• Always wait for the interviewer to finish speaking before you reply.
• Seek clarification if you do not understand the question.
• Always think carefully before answering a question – you won’t do yourself justice with a rushed answer.
• Make sure you speak clearly and correctly – and express yourself coherently.
• Be confident – underline previous successes, achievements and strengths, and back them up with any certificates or samples of your work.
• Be truthful and to the point.
• Show that you have plans and goals for your career. Demonstrate that you are capable of forward planning and achieving personal objectives.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Remember to ask the questions that you prepared.
• If the company offers you the role and you want some time, be tactful and polite in asking for the time – suggest and agree a date by which you will deliver a definite answer.
  
  

• Thank the interviewer for their time.

Things to Avoid:

• Avoid sitting down before invited to do so.
• Avoid lounging or sitting with your arms folded defensively.
• Avoid interrupting while the interviewer is speaking.
• Avoid rushing your answers, take a few minutes to consider a question before answering.
• Avoid using slang, be conscious of repeating the same phrase.
• Try not to come across as aggressive or overbearing.
• Avoid evasive or vague responses if asked to explain anything unfavourable in your record. Step up to the plate and answer positively (prepare beforehand).
• Avoid criticising previous employers or colleagues, or reveal confidential information.
• Avoid asking about salary or incentives at the initial interview stage – the interviewer will raise this as and when necessary.
• Avoid being too pushy and only interested in what the company can do for you. You are there to provide value to their organisation as well
• Avoid appearing discouraged if you feel the interview is not going well, occasionally an interviewer will try to test your reactions in this way.
• Although you may be interested in growth opportunities, avoid exploring too many other roles, focus only on the role you are being interviewed for.

After the Interview

Call your About Recruitment consultant immediately – it is vital that they speak to you first
before they can discuss the interview with the company.