Interview Preparation
- Interview Preparation
Your success at the interview will depend largely on the quality of your preparation. We would recommend that you spend at least 30 minutes to an hour, each day during the five days leading up to your interview. If your interview is tomorrow, dedicate the evening before on this. Research the company, research the role, think about the kinds of issues or topics that are likely to be discussed. Companies are proud of their accomplishments you should demonstrate that you’re aware of them. Find out as much background information about the company and their management team as you can. What is their business industry, do you understand it? How many employees do they have? What is the business journey, how and where did they start? What is the company’s vision, philosophy, their culture? Think about their branding, what’s their message? Look at their people (check LinkedIn) and look at their social media channels.
If your interview has been arranged by us (Ultimate Selection), your Consultant will be able to provide most of the background information you are likely to need. Once you have your key information, prepare a short response to the question;
“What do you know about us?”
This will allow you to show that you’ve taken the trouble to find out and that you are interested.
Formulate questions to ask the interviewer during your interview.
Analyze the job description and prepare a list of questions you may like to ask. For example:
- What would you see as my principal priorities in this role?
- Why has this job become available?
- Can you describe or give me a feel for the team I’ll be working with?
- As a business, what do you feel your main strengths are?
- Ask the interviewer – What is it that you enjoy most about working here?
Naturally, many of these questions may be answered without you having to ask them, but if you are prepared in advance you will make sure you get all the information you need.
Anticipate some likely interview questions
On the basis of your CV and the job description, you can probably anticipate many of the questions the interviewer is likely to ask. Once again, put yourself in the shoes of the interviewer. What will he/she be looking for? Typical questions include:
- What can you bring to this job role and our company?
- What jobs have you enjoyed most and least? Why?
- Are you happy with where your career is going?
- What have you done that shows initiative?
- Why do you want this position?
- What’s important to you in your job?
It’s also important to identify any subjects or areas that might create problems for you and make sure you have a response you are happy with.
- “Have you ever been made redundant?”
- “What do you think of your current boss?”
- “Are you ready for a job like this?”
- “There are gaps in your employment, how do you account for these gaps?”
- “You seem to have been out of work for a while, what have you been doing?”
Your ability to give brief but focused answers to sensitive questions like these will strengthen your prospects of success.
Making a good ‘first impression’
Like it or not, your appearance will influence the interviewer’s assessment of your suitability for the job. Being smart, clean and well-groomed is a good start. But there are numerous other factors to take into account regarding personal dress and presentation, which you can explore in our First Impressions Count blog.
Make sure you arrive early for the interview, don’t rely too heavily on the efficiency of public transport or a traffic-free journey. Plan for the worst! By arriving at least 15 minutes early, you will have a chance to relax, gather your thoughts. Also, remember to be pleasant to receptionists and other staff you meet: they will often be asked for their first impressions of you.
So now you know how to prepare, here’s What to do at the interview!
I’d say “good luck”, but with the right preparation, ‘luck’ doesn’t come into it. You’ve got this!