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InterviewingWhen you are offered an interview, write back immediately thanking the person and confirming the date, time, and place. Arrive at least ten minutes before your appointment. If you are going to be late, telephone and apologize.
Get as much information as possible about your prospective employer. Telephone and ask for any brochures or literature and collect them if necessary. On the evening before the interview re-read this information. Write down at least four points about the organization and its products or services and memorize them. This knowledge will greatly increase your self-confidence at interview.
Professional interviewers will try to obtain an objective assessment of candidates by considering the following points:
How you are rated, particularly on the first three, depends on how well you have prepared yourself.
Select five points from your background, education or experience which are relevant or which show initiative. Write these down, memorize them, and make sure you talk about them at interview.
You may be asked about your major personal strengths. Select something which is relevant, such as: getting on well with other people, always completing a job properly, etc. If asked about your weak points, choose one that still shows you in a positive light, e.g. "I take on too much work". Just before the interview, you may be asked to take a series of tests. Prepare yourself by working through a book of these tests now. If you take a personality test, give honest answers, not ones that you think will improve your score. In any test work quickly, but without rushing – quality is more important than quantity!
You have to convince an employer that you are worth employing and that you have the capacity for hard work and a readiness for accepting change or further training. Your general attitude to life is one of the most important aspects on which your future employer will assess you.
Your personal qualities are very important since you have probably little relevant work experience against which to be judged. Place emphasis on projecting your personal qualities and convincing the prospective employer on the following points:
When you are introduced to the interviewer, be prepared to shake hands. Don’t sit down until you are asked to do so.
| Do this: | Don’t do this: |
| …Arrive early | …Criticize others |
| …Dress tidily | …Smoke or chew |
| …Smile | …Swear, even mildly |
| …Look at the interviewer | …Interrupt |
| …Use the person’s name | …Interview back |
| …Sit upright | …Slouch |
| …Tell the truth | …Mumble |
| …Speak up | …Show off |
| …Sound optimistic | …Complain |
Interviewing can be as much of an ordeal for the interviewer as for you. If there are pauses in the conversation, talk about one of your key points. If a panel is interviewing you, look at all members as you are answering questions. When replying to questions, don’t answer just yes or no – expand your answers to at least two sentences. At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for seeing you.
Do not talk about your personal likes and dislikes or about politics, religion, sports, etc. This can lead to arguments and can set up prejudices with the interviewer. If this starts to happen, talk about one of your five key points.
To be offered a job you need to satisfy the interviewer on the following four points:
While a letter of application should have demonstrated the first point, only an interview can demonstrate the other three.
Prepare questions to ask about the work, what is expected of you, to whom you will be reporting, what training facilities are available, what the promotion path is, etc. Leave terms and conditions until the interviewer raises them – they can always be discussed later.
| Personal circumstances What are your major personal strengths? What are your weak points? What has been your best achievement? Do you drink or smoke? How would you describe your health? Other activities Do you belong to any clubs? What are your hobbies? Are you a member of a team? Have you been a captain or team leader? What type of books do you read? Have you done any charity work? Which TV shows do you watch? Which countries have you visited? About this job Why did you apply to us? Why do you want this job? What do you know about us? What do know about this type of work? Do you know anyone who works here? Would you be willing to travel? Have you been for any other interviews? Which qualities are important for this job? Why do you think that you are suitable? |
Academic attainments Why are you not continuing to study? Why did you choose your subjects? Which is your favorite subject? What examinations are you planning to take? Are you planning further part-time study? Attitudes Are you interested in politics? Comment on today’s main news story. What is your idea of success? Is a large salary important to you? Do you dislike any school/college staff? Work experience What jobs have you had to date? Did you like working? Did you get on well with your supervisor? Did you like your colleagues? Did you deal with the public? What responsibilities have you had? The future What are your long-term aims? How long would you stay with us? Are you ambitious? Would you mind beingrelocated? Would you be willing to work abroad? |
After the interview, write back confirming your interest in the job concerned. This letter will provide yet another point of contact between you and the prospective employer and will increase your chances of success. An example is contained in the printed out version of the Reference Card which you can retrieve from the "Introduction" page.
If you wish to accept an offer made to you, write back immediately, referring to the offer letter. Confirm your starting date and location and any other points which were agreed at interview, but were not mentioned specifically in the letter. An example is contained in the printed out version of the Reference Card which you can retrieve from the "Introduction" page.