Interview Tips and Techniques (Sticky?)

bevanuk

Interview Guidance

Interview Do's


Presentation

Look your smartest and show your most professional side during the interview. A company is more likely to hire someone who is well presented and who will therefore best represent their company.

Punctuality

Arrive on time.

Obtain clear directions for the location of the interview and plan your journey, allowing plenty of time to arrive. If you are unavoidably delayed, notify the company immediately giving the reason and your estimated time of arrival.

During the interview

Introduce yourself courteously.

Express yourself clearly.

Show tact, manners, courtesy, and maturity at every opportunity.

Be confident and maintain poise. The ability to handle your nerves during the interview will come across as confidence in your ability to handle the job.

Be prepared to show how your experience would benefit the company.

Ask questions concerning the company or products and the position for which you are being interviewed for. An interviewer will be impressed by an eager and inquisitive mind. You will also be able to demonstrate that you can contribute to the company or industry if you show an interest in its products and/or services.

Take time to think and construct your answers to questions to avoid rushing into a vague and senseless reply.

Demonstrate that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job done well and that you will fit in with the company's organisational structure and the team in which you will work.

Show willingness to start at the bottom and work up.

Anticipate questions you’re likely to be asked and have answers prepared in advance. Uncertainty and disorganisation show the interviewer that you are unprepared and unclear what your goals are.

Be assertive without being aggressive.

Thank the interviewer.

Interview Don'ts


Be late for the interview. Tardiness is a sign of irresponsibility or disorganisation and the employer could take it as what to expect in the future. If you are going to be late call well in advance to advise the employer.

Arrive unprepared for the interview.

Say unfavorable things about previous employers.

Make excuses for failings.

Give vague responses to questions.

Show lack of career planning - no goals or purpose could convey the impression you're merely shopping around or only want the job for a short time.

Show too much concern about rapid advancement.

Overemphasise money. Your interviewing goal is to sell yourself to the interviewer and to get an offer of employment. Salary discussion is secondary.

Refuse to travel and/or relocate. Always be open for discussion concerning travel and relocation. The employer may be talking about future plans, not present.

Show any reservations you may have about the role/company. You can always turn down second interviews and job offers after you have had time to appraise your concerns in the cold light of day.

Demonstrate low moral standards.

Express strong prejudices or any personal intolerance.

Leave your mobile phone on during the interview.

Body Language Do's


Ensure a firm handshake. A firm handshake shows confidence in yourself and your abilities.

Walk slowly, deliberately, and tall upon entering the room.

Maintain a high level of eye contact throughout.

Remember not to be seen to be staring. Look away occasionally, looking confidently and calmly to the right or left; never look down.

Listen.

Be alert and enthusiastic - it's often a deciding factor in employing candidates. An indifferent attitude is instantly recognised as "I don't care if I get this job.”

Smile, nod, and give non-verbal feedback to the interviewer.

Do not hurry any movement.

Relax with every breath.

Body Language Don'ts


Have a poor/limp handshake.

Display laziness.

Be aggressive or act in a superior, conceited or overbearing way.

Have a poor voice, diction or grammar.

Look distracted, look down or avoid eye contact.

Talk too much. Answer questions as asked, without being abrupt; expound only to the point that the interviewer has a clear understanding of what you mean.

Lose concentration or attention.

Your Questions


The interview is a two-way process. You need to interview the company to find out if the company and the position are right for you. Prepare the questions that you want answered and ask them. If you ask open questions, e.g. those beginning 'What?', 'How?', 'Where?', 'Who?' or 'Will?' it will encourage your interviewer to talk and provide you with additional information.

Consider some of the following:

What will my responsibilities be?
How has the position become vacant?
How will you assess my performance?
How does the role fit into the structure of the department?
How does the department fit into the organisation as a whole?
Who will I report to and are there persons reporting to me?
Where does my line manager fit into the structure?
What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
Who are your customers?
Where is the company going? Expansion plans?
Where is the specific location of the position?
Will the position entail traveling?
How soon will you decide on the appointment?
What is the next step?

Their Questions (and sample answers)

When you're asked open-ended questions, always try and make your answers positive.

Q: Tell me about yourself. (The interviewer is really saying "I want to hear you talk").
A: This is a loosener but is a common question so your response can be standardised. Write a script, rehearse it so it sounds impromptu. Spend a maximum of four minutes to describe your qualifications, career history and your range of skills. Emphasise those skills that are relevant to the job on offer.

Q: What have been your achievements to date? (The interviewer is saying, "Are you an achiever?").
A: Again this is a common question so be prepared. Select an achievement that is experience related and fairly recent. Identify skills you used in the achievement and quantify the benefit.

Q: Are you happy with your career to date? (The interview is really asking about your self-esteem and self-confidence, your career aspirations and whether you are a happy, positive person).
A: The answer must be 'yes' but if you have hit a career plateau or you feel you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify the answer.

Q: Tell me the most difficult situation you have had to face and how you tackled it? (The interviewer is really trying to find out your definition of 'difficult' and whether you can show a logical approach to problem solving using your initiative).
A: This can be a trap! To avoid it, select a difficult work situation that was not caused by you and which can be quickly explained in a few sentences. Explain how you defined the problem, what the options were, why you selected the one you did and what the outcome was. Always end on a positive note.

Q: What do you like about your present job? (The interviewer is really trying to find out whether you will enjoy the things the job has to offer).
A: This is a straightforward question. All you have to make sure is that your 'likes' correspond to the skills etc. required for the job on offer. Be positive, describe your job as interesting and diverse but do not overdo it, after all, you are leaving!

Q: What do you dislike about your current role? (The interviewer is trying to find out whether the job on offer has responsibilities you will dislike or which will make you unsuitable).
A: Be careful with this one! Do not be too specific as you may draw attention to weaknesses, which will leave you open to further problems. One approach is to choose a characteristic of your present company such as its size - its slow decision making etc. Give your answer with the air of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job!

Q: What are your strengths? (The interviewer wants a straightforward answer as to what you are good at and how it is going to add value).
A: This is one question that you are going to get so there is no excuse for being unprepared. Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four explanations of how they could benefit the employer. Strengths to consider include technical proficiency; ability to learn quickly; determination to succeed; positive attitude; your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal. You may be asked to give examples of the above so be prepared.

Q: What are your greatest weaknesses? (The interviewer is asking about your self-perception and self-awareness).
A: This is another standard question for which you can be well prepared. Don't say you have none - this will ensure further problems. You have two options - use a professional weakness such as a lack of experience (not ability) on your part in one area that is not vital for the job. The second option is to describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered a strength and the steps that you have taken to combat it. An example would be, "I know my team think I'm too demanding at times - I tend to drive them pretty hard but I'm getting much better at using the carrot and not the stick.". Do not select a personal weakness such as "I'm not a morning person - I'm much better as the day goes on.".

Q: What kind of decision do you find most difficult? (The interviewer is really saying, "I need someone who is strong and decisive but who has a human side.").
A: Your answer must not display weakness. Try to focus on decisions that have to be made without sufficient information. This will show your positive side. For example, "I like to make decisions based on sufficient information and having alternatives. When you have to make quick decisions you have to rely on 'gut feeling' and experience.".

Q: Why do you want to leave your current employer? (The interviewer is trying to understand and evaluate your motives for moving).
A: This should be straightforward. State how you are looking for more challenge, responsibility, experience and a change of environment. NEVER be negative in your reasons for leaving and it will rarely be appropriate to state salary as the primary motivator.

Other Interviewers' questions to consider



Remember the interviewer will ask open questions, e.g. those beginning 'What?', 'How?', 'Where?', 'Who?' or 'Will?' to encourage you to talk and provide them with additional information about yourself.
For example questions please see the STAR technique at the bottom of this post.

Consider some of the following:

How does your job fit into your department and company? (Gives an idea of level of responsibility).

What do you enjoy about the industry?

How do you respond to working under pressure? (Meaning - can you?). Give examples.

What kinds of people do you like working with?

How have you coped when your work has been criticised? (Give an example including the outcome).

What is the worst situation you have faced outside work? (Give an example including the outcome).

How have you coped when you have felt anger at work? (Give an example and show how you were still able to perform a good job).

What kind of people do you find difficult to work with? (Take care! You won't know everything about the staff at the company at which you're being interviewed).

How have you coped when you have had to face a conflict of interest at work? (Testing interpersonal skills, team and leadership opportunities).

Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss.

Where have you been unable to get on with others? (Give an example).

What are your preferred working conditions, working alone or in a group and why?

How do you think you are going to fit in here especially as this organisation is very different to your current employer? (You may not be able to answer until you have established what he/she perceives as the differences).

What are you looking for in a company?

How do you measure your own performance?

What kind of pressures have you encountered at work?

Are you a self-starter? Give me examples to demonstrate this.

What is the biggest problem you have faced recently and how you resolved it?

What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?

How do you feel about working long hours and/or weekends?

What example can you give me of when you have been out of your depth?

What have you failed to achieve to date?

What can you bring to this organisation?

What area of your skills do you want to improve? (Try to relate this to the role on offer).

Which part of this role is least attractive to you?

Why do you think you would like this role?

Where would you like to be in five years?

How would your colleagues describe you?

What would your referees say about you?

Why should I give this position to you instead of the other people on the shortlist? (Strengths).

What reservations should I have about you as an employee? (Weaknesses).

What do you do in your spare time?

What five adjectives would you use that best describe you? (Both in and out of the workplace).


STAR Technique



A competency based interview allows an interviewer to ascertain if a candidate has the relevant experience for the role. It pinpoints the behaviours a candidate will display in certain circumstances in a working environment.


When an interviewer asks Competency Based questions they are looking for you to tell them about an exact situation you found yourself in and how you handled it.

The key to a successful competency based interview is being able to clearly answer the questions in a set format.

This format is known as STAR

Situation

The situation describes exactly what the issue was and should account for 10% of your answer.
Task

The task describes what you were trying to achieve and should also account for 10% of your answer
Actions

The actions that you needed to take account for the largest part of your answer (approx 70%)
Result

And the result should be the remaining 10% of your answer.

The best way to prepare for a CBI is the think of as many work situations as you can where you have needed to achieve something and the result was a positive one – remember to use different examples for each question.

R8ch3l

Very good post!

fred7777

bevanuk wrote: »

Presentation

Look your smartest and show your most professional side during the interview. A company is more likely to hire someone who is well presented and who will therefore best represent their company.

Not allways, I was once rejected for a job whilst wearing a suit at an interview whilst being interviewed by the boss in a t-shirt and leather jacket becuase I appeared "too corporate".

Since then I have always paid attention to what the interviewer is wearing and tired to make adjustments to match. So turn up in a suit but if the interviewer isn't wearing suit and tie I take of the suit jacket when I sit down, seems to have worked so far

bevanuk

fred7777 wrote: »

Not allways, I was once rejected for a job whilst wearing a suit at an interview whilst being interviewed by the boss in a t-shirt and leather jacket becuase I appeared "too corporate".

Since then I have always paid attention to what the interviewer is wearing and tired to make adjustments to match. So turn up in a suit but if the interviewer isn't wearing suit and tie I take of the suit jacket when I sit down, seems to have worked so far

Unless instructed otherwise, always attend an interview in a suit (males). It is much better to be overdressed than underdressed. If someone turned up to an interview with me in jeans they would be sent home immediatly, we do stipulate business dress.
Even casually you would still be smart.

You probably got the other jobs by being a good candidate, not by removing your jacket.

planning303

Seriously high grade post

I'm currently waiting for the boss to leave so that i can print it out to work on my technique at home tonight.

I particularly like and agree with the STAR bit, i've been doing this for years (not just in interviews but in any meetings at work) as it really forces you to structure your answers correctly and helps to prevent the dreaded random waffle

bevanuk

There's loads of details about STAR on google too. How to use it in the situations you described rather than just use the principle behind.

If people bother to read all of the above before the interview and apply it the chances of employment would be increased by about 20%.

nottslass_2

Great Post

Will be studying it in more detail over the next week or so as I've got an interview a week on Tuesday.

I never seem to have a problem getting an interview - I just never get offered the job

Part of my problem is that I have a problem with the classic "scripted" answers to interview questions - my subconscious mind screams that no interviewer is fooled by it and surely everyone else must be giving almost identical responses ..................

Any more tips on how to overcome this ? Oh and I've been known to come out with complete irrelvent rubbish instead of actually answering the question :eek:

bevanuk

nottslass wrote: »

Great Post

Will be studying it in more detail over the next week or so as I've got an interview a week on Tuesday.

I never seem to have a problem getting an interview - I just never get offered the job

Part of my problem is that I have a problem with the classic "scripted" answers to interview questions - my subconscious mind screams that no interviewer is fooled by it and surely everyone else must be giving almost identical responses ..................

Any more tips on how to overcome this ? Oh and I've been known to come out with complete irrelvent rubbish instead of actually answering the question :eek:

Which kind of questions are you referring to? The example based ones - that would be the STAR technique.

For any questions be honest and draw from your past experience, yes you can exagarrate a little - who wouldn't.
Only part of the interview process is based on your actual answer, some of it is judged on your ability to answer a question.

What feedback are you getting from the places that are saying no?
Feedback is key to getting a new role.

fortyplus

Very good post. Wish I had seen it before last weeks interview

I agree it should be a sticky.

bargainhuntress_2

I have a plaster cast on my right hand (fractured wrist!)... do I offer to shake hands with it or make an apology and offer my left hand??

Don't want to get off on the wrong foot..:cool:

heretolearn_2

Oh and I've been known to come out with complete irrelvent rubbish instead of actually answering the question - this is probably your biggest problem. Stop for a few seconds and think before answering and make sure you don't go veering off in a completely different direction.

Pat 'stock' answers are not that helpful, as you realise, but you do still need to 'play the game' to a certain extent. The reason those answers have become popular is that they do actually answer the questions asked. Learn from that and then create a few outline answers for yourself - based on reality - to some of the most common questions.