Personal interviews still represent the most common method by which employers recruit.Many interviews are unstructured and often conducted in a haphazard manner, often by people with no professional experience in the art of interviewing and with no set guidelines on how the interview will be conducted.However, this can be used to your advantage provided you are aware and can take advantage of the unwritten rules.
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
It is essential that you start to prepare for an interview at the earliest opportunity.The time to start thinking about the potential employer, your aspirations, and questions you may wish to ask, is NOT when you are sitting in reception immediately before the interview. Careful thought before you reach the interview will pay dividends later:
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH
COMPANY - Find out as much as you can about the prospective employer. If it is a company, obtain their annual report, or if a firm, obtain any brochures or press releases: telephone if you have to.Make sure, if possible, that you know who you will be seeing for the interview, what position they hold within the organisation and any special or likely form that the interview may take.Remember, an interview is a fact gathering exercise for both sides.
LOCATION - Check that you know exactly where the interview will take place, the best way of reaching that location and the estimated travel time, allowing for any hiccups. If necessary, it may be worth taking a practice run to the location.
CV - Re-read a copy of your CV and letter of application as they will probably form the basis for discussion.Any inaccuracies in the CV should be addressed immediately, either before or at interview, to avoid any possible embarrassment.
QUESTIONS - In advance of the interview think about the likely questions you are going to be asked and how you will answer those questions, as well as the questions you would like to ask.It is impossible to pre-empt precisely the questions that you may be asked.However, it is sometimes possible to anticipate some of the more likely questions and therefore to prepare, in your own mind, a sensible and intelligent response.Questions you might be asked could include:
*Why you chose the career path and/or specialisation that you have to date?
*What interests you about the business/profession you are applying for?
*What you regard as your strengths and weaknesses?
*Where you hope to be in a set period of time?
*The reasoning behind all/any moves you have made since the commencement of your career?
*Any particular reasons for studying for your qualifications where you did?
*If you have a less than impressive academic record, the reasons why your results were not better?
*Any key achievements/accomplishments in your professional or non-professional life?
*Why you particularly want to work for this employer and what you know about them?
*If you have been made redundant, the circumstances behind your redundancy?
You should be given the opportunity to ask any questions you have concerning the company or role.This is a chance to show you have done your research and put some thought into the interview before attending, it is also one of the only ways of gaining the sort of information you will need to know about any employer before committing yourself.It is important not to go with an inflexible list of questions that you feel obliged to ask.Some of the questions may have already been addressed during the course of the interview itself.Indeed, it is often the case that questions will flow naturally from what has been said before.Try not to restrict your questions merely to what the firm/company can offer you but use the opportunity to show your interest in the company.Examples of questions you might ask.Questions you could think of may include:
*Asking about the size and nature of the organisation and how they perceive your role within that structure
*Asking about the structure of the department, how it fits into the firm and the prospects for career progression
*Asking where they perceive the role will be in say 2, 5 and 10 years time
*Asking how the vacancy occurred:is it a result of growth or because of people leaving?
*If appropriate, asking about training and courses that may be available
*Asking how performance is assessed and what, if any, appraisal system is in place
*If you feel it would be of benefit, asking whether it is possible to speak to other employees on a more informal basis, possibly during a morning’s temporary work in the role
2. DRESS TO IMPRESS
Many employers are still conservative by nature.Resist the temptation to dress flamboyantly or in a manner that draws attention to yourself.Generally a smart dark suit would be appropriate with a shirt and tie for men and a smart shirt/top for women.You are far less likely to offend by dressing too conservatively than by going the other way.
3. SHOW GOOD TIMEKEEPING
Arrive in good time although not too early.Nothing creates a worse impression than an interviewee who is late.If, for some reason you are going to be delayed, call the firm in question, and tell them when you are likely to arrive.If you arrive with time to spare, you can often wait in reception collecting your thoughts, reading any company brochures, and getting a feel for the firm itself.Make sure that you have a rough idea of how long the interview will last so that you are not twitching in your seat after two hours or concerned about another meeting which you have to attend.
DURING THE INTERVIEW
First impressions are important.Research has consistently shown that impressions of people are formed within the first few minutes of the initial introduction and that those first impressions rarely change either for the better or worse.Indeed the interview may well be used by the interviewer merely to confirm those first impressions.
1. WHAT TO EXPECT
Given the rather haphazard nature of interviewing, it is unwise to go to an interview with any preconceptions of what is likely to happen. Interviews vary from firm to firm and company to company as to form and content.If the employer intends to use some form of psychological testing in addition to a formal interview, then you will probably know in advance, not least because of the length of time that has been set aside for the interviewing process.Typically though, the structure of the interview will conform fairly closely to the following:
INTRODUCTION - The interviewer will greet the candidate and then introduce any other members of the interviewing panel.They will explain the nature of the interview, provide some detail about the firm/company and how the interview is to be structured.The good interviewer will, at this stage, hope to put the candidate at ease by doing most of the initial talking.
INFORMATION GATHERING - The interviewer will probably ask questions of the candidate, usually using the CV as the basis, to build up a profile of the individual, asking questions about their career to date, career aspirations, personality and interests.
INFORMATION EXCHANGE - The interviewer will provide details of the vacancy, the structure of the department, reporting lines etc.At this stage, the candidate will often be asked if they wish to ask any questions.
CONCLUSION - You may be asked to stay for lunch, or alternatively, to meet one of the junior members of the department, for a more informal exchange. Although, very often, these less formal exchanges play no role in the selection process, sometimes they do.Often, if only to rubber stamp their own view, the interview panel seek the second opinion of others within the company or firm who have met the candidate.
2. CONDUCTING YOURSELF DURING THE INTERVIEW
To a certain extent, interviews are a game that require role playing and broad adherence to an unwritten set of rules.However, ultimately, it is in everyone's best interest if you be yourself.If a firm wants a dynamic, go-getting client grabber, and you are a backroom player, even in the event that you could pass yourself off as the type of person sought, the medium and long-term consequences for both parties are likely to be serious.Some common do’s and don’ts include:
DO look the interviewer in the eye.Steadfastly avoiding eye contact makes a candidate seem, at best, nervous and fidgety and, at worst, shifty and sinister.Smile at the right time and appear warm and sympathetic. Remember, more emphasis is placed on visual clues than on verbal ones.
DO sound enthusiastic and interested in the firm/company, the opening, and your career. Nothing is more off-putting than a candidate who lacks any spark of life.All employers are looking for employees who can not only efficiently carry out the work, but who will be able to add something to the firm or company.
DO try to keep the conversation flowing.If an inexperienced interviewer has not properly thought through the interviewing process, this may be difficult; long silences are to be avoided, if possible.Avoid ‘yes/no’ answers to questions but avoid going off track and “waffling”.
DON’T appear over-confident or cocky, and give the impression that you are doing the firm a favour in turning up.This will create a disastrous impression as will demonstrating a lack of confidence, false modesty and underselling you.Part of the essential make-up of any professional is giving the appearance of competence and confidence in one's ability.Ensure that you are positive about your own attributes and skills.
DON’T rush into answering questions quickly without giving them due thought.If you are asked a complicated question, don’t worry about taking a few seconds to think about your answer, or if you don’t understand the question, ask for further clarification.It is much better to think an answer through rather than launching into a long and misunderstood answer.
DON’T be negative about a present or past employer.Nothing is more off-putting to a firm/company than a candidate who spends all his time rubbishing his past or present employer.You may have had a bad experience with an employer, but appearing bitter about your experiences will convey the view that you may be awkward and not a good team player.
DON’T go to an interview if you are unwell.If you feel below par, then the chances are that you will perform below par. Any reasonable employer will be prepared to wait two or three days to allow you to recovery.
TALKING MONEY
This is one of the trickiest aspects of any job application. Traditionally, the British are reluctant to raise the question of money and although it is, of course, a major consideration, it is often not discussed until a very late stage in the recruitment process.
Many employers are put off by would-be employees asking about salary at too early a stage and our advice to candidates is to try and avoid any reference to money until drawn on the subject.Employers far prefer to hear from would-be employees that they are more interested in career progression and what the organisation has to offer by way of quality of work and prospects.
It is, however, quite normal to be asked your previous earnings and there is normally no harm in revealing this.However, if you are/were on a relatively low wage then it may be prudent, if possible, to avoid giving this information.In many peoples' minds, salary and ability are linked.
You may, in some circumstances, also be asked how much you want to be paid. Obviously this is a question that will have to be addressed if the interview is going to progress to offer and acceptance.How you broach this subject will clearly depend on the circumstances of your position, and, indeed, the employer's position and ability to pay.If you go in with too high a figure, the danger is that you will frighten the employer off.
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
It is important to gather your thoughts on what happened in the interview.Is the opening one that you would be interested in pursuing?Is there any more information you need to know about the firm/company?Did the interviewer offer any clues as to the company's interest.If your interview has been organised by an agency it is important to call the agency afterwards and give your feedback – this will help the consultant to understand how you wish to take the opportunity forward when they speak to the potential employer on your behalf.
