Interview Tips

How to Survive an Interview and Secure your Dream Job

Job interviews can be a stressful process but they don’t need to be, especially if you are well prepared. You are being interviewed because the interviewer wants to hire somebody, not because they want to trip you up or embarrass you. Your CV has impressed the interviewer, and now you need to support this in your performance at the interview.

Through the interaction that takes place during the interview, the interviewer will be searching out your strong and weak points as well as evaluating you on your qualifications, skills and intellectual qualities. They will probably probe deeply to determine your attitudes, aptitudes, stability and motivation.

However as with all things, preparation is the key. Regardless of how experienced you are, your personality and performance in interview are paramount in securing your dream job. We have compiled some basic tips to assist you with interviews:

Don’t be late – There is no worse way to begin an interview. On time means five to ten minutes early.

Who are you meeting – Know your interviewers full name as well as how to pronounce the name correctly. Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake, make eye contact and remember to smile.

Know where to go – Know the address and ensure you have solid street directions and up-to-date public transport maps. If need be, take some time to drive to the office ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going.

First impressions count – You should dress suitably. Although dress down policies are becoming the norm, it’s still best to stick to a smart suit as you will be judged on your appearance as well as your attitude and background. Some basic tips for putting your best foot forward include:

Men’s Interview Attire

• Suit (solid colour – navy or dark grey)
• Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
• Belt
• Tie
• Dark socks, conservative leather shoes
• Little or no jewellery
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Limit the aftershave
• Neatly trimmed nails

Women’s Interview Attire

• Suit (navy, black or dark grey), if you don’t own a suit wear your best work outfit
• The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
• Coordinated blouse
• Conservative shoes
• Limited jewellery (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
• No jewellery is better than cheap jewellery
• Professional hairstyle
• Neutral pantyhose
• Light make-up and perfume
• Neatly manicured clean nails

Additional Tips on Clothing

• Make sure to try on your outfit BEFORE the day of the interview
• Your clothes are your image, check the mirror and see what others see
• It is better to be overdressed than underdressed

Be yourself – Speak clearly and enthusiastically about your experiences and skills. Be professional, but don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. You want the company to suit you as much as you to suit the company. We are aiming to find you something for the long term.

Listen carefully – There is nothing worse than to ask a question that the employer has already talked to you about.

Preparation is the first essential step towards a successful interview – Interviewers are continually amazed at the number of applicants who drift into their offices without any apparent preparation and only the vaguest idea of what they are going to say.

Ensure complete understanding of the firm/company – you are going to see. It is essential to conduct thorough research. Ensure you read through the company website and look out for any relevant additional information including newsworthy items.

Read through and know your CV inside out – including highlights and/or challenges overcome in relation to each project/deal.

Take notes, get noticed – Don’t be afraid to take notes, not only does this look professional, but jotting down your interviewer’s answers could come in useful as a reminder of important points if you’re called to a second interview. Moreover, noting the job’s benefits could help in your own decision making if you have one or more job offers

Prepare for the interview

Prepare the questions you will ask during the interview. The employer will try to determine through questioning if you have the qualifications necessary to do the job, and you must determine whether the firm/company will give you the opportunity for the growth and development you seek. Probing questions you might ask include:

• What is the culture of the firm/company?
• What is the anticipated induction and training programme?
• What sort of people in the past have done well at this role?
• Are there advanced training programmes available for those who demonstrate outstanding ability?
• What are the earnings of successful people in years three to five?
• What are the firm’s/company’s growth plans?
• Do you anticipate much client interaction?
• What sort of work has the team been involved in?

Be prepared to answer questions such as:

• Why did you choose this particular role?
• What do you really want to do in your next career move?
• Why would you like to work for this firm/company specifically?
• What do you want from your career? Why?
• What style of management brings out the best in you?
• What interests you about our products or services?
• What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held? Which did you enjoy most and why?
• What is your major weakness? What have you done about overcoming it?
• What do you think determines a person’s progress in a good firm/company?
• Give an example of a difficult situation you experienced at work and how you overcame it.
• Give an example of where you went out of your way to help a colleague.
• Is there anything you do not like about your current job? Why?
• What does ‘teamwork’ mean to you?

Negatives Frequently Evaluated at Interview

During the course of an interview the employer will be evaluating both your positive and your negative traits. Listed below are negative factors frequently evaluated during the course of an interview and those that most often lead to rejection:

• Poor personal appearance.
• Overbearing or aggressive, conceited superiority complex, or know-it-all personality.
• Inability to express thoughts clearly and poor diction or grammar.
• Lack of career planning with no purpose or goals.
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm, passive and indifferent demeanour.
• Total lack of confidence or signs of severe nervousness.
• Over-emphasis on benefits or salary.
• Evasive and excuses made for unfavourable factors in record.
• Lack of tact and courtesy.
• Over-critical comments of previous employers.
• Failure to maintain eye contact.
• Limp or too firm a handshake.
• Poor posture.
• Lack of appreciation of the value of experience.
• ‘What can you do for me’ attitude.
• Lack of preparation for interview or failure to obtain information about the company.
• Overbearing perfume, aftershave or smell of smoke.
• Lack of intelligent and intuitive questions.

DOs and DON’Ts

Here is a checklist of things you should and shouldn’t do during an interview:

DO

• Arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
• Fill in the application form neatly and completely, if you are presented with one. If you have a personal CV, be sure the person you release it to is the person who will actually do the hiring.
• Turn your mobile phone completely off, it is just as bad to hear a buzzing sound coming from your pocket or bag as it is if the phone rings.
• Greet the interviewer by name if you are sure of the pronunciation. If you are not, ask them to repeat it.
• Shake hands confidently and firmly.
• Sit upright in your chair. Look alert and interested at all times.
• Be a good listener as well as a good talker, and remember to smile.
• Look a prospective employer in the eye.
• Follow the interviewer’s leads but try to get them 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.
• Ensure that your strengths are transmitted to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself to an interviewer. Make them realise the need for you in their organisation.
• Be prepared to answer technical questions. Hopefully you will know the answers but if not DON’T guess. If you are unsure, then be honest and say, “that is beyond my experience but this is where I would go to find the answer” or “I haven’t encountered this situation before, however, if a client were to ask me what I would do is…”
• Include all the interviewers present, even if one of them is more of an observer. Their opinion on you will be sought after the interview.
• Conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the specific job you are discussing, even when applying for a number of roles. It is better to be in the position where you can choose from a number of options rather than only one.

DONT

• Answer your mobile phone.
• Chew gum, take food or drinks into the interview or chew your nails or lean on your hands during an interview.
• Answer questions with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Offer an explanation whenever possible, giving succinct, practical examples.
• Tell those things about yourself which relate to the position.
• Lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as directly as possible.
• Make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies.
• Enquire about salary, holidays, bonuses, at the initial interview unless you are positive the employer is interested in hiring you and raises the issue first. However, you should know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range as this question maybe asked.

Finishing the Interview

If you are interested in the position, let the interviewer know!

Ask for the next interview if the situation demands. If the position is offered to you, and you want it, accept on the spot (subject to salary and contractual discussions). 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 a definite offer is not made, or specific salary discussed. It is usual for the interviewer to want to communicate with their office first or interview 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 their time and consideration of you.

You have done all you can if you have answered the questions uppermost in the interviewer’s mind.

Following the interview

Lastly but not least – Call the consultant who referred you to the position after the interview and explain what happened. They will want to talk with you and run through your initial feedback before the interviewer calls them back.

If you are interested in progressing further it will help if your feelings towards the position are known, together with your perception of what the interviewer’s reaction is likely to be. This information is useful for the consultant to know before speaking to the client so they are able to immediately clarify any unanswered questions for you.