interview skills and tips

The short time you spend in an interview can have a dramatic effect on your future career. No matter how good your career record is to date, the impression you make on the interviewer will decide your chances of gaining the position. It is important to sell yourself. These tips will help you to perform well.

1. Preparation for an Interview

Preparation is the first essential step towards a successful interview. Preparing carefully will impress upon the interviewer(s) your genuine interest in the position and your forethought and planning abilities, as well as allowing you to obtain important information about the position and the organisation you are applying for.

Other advantages are that you will be better able to make intelligent conversation and nervousness should be reduced. The following is a list of important preparatory points you should cover:

  • Know the exact time and place of the interview
  • Know the interviewer's full name, the correct pronunciation and his/her title.
  • Find out specific facts about the department or company:
  • Where its offices are located
  • What its products and services are
  • What its growth has been; and what its potential growth is for the future.
  • Make sure you have a good look at the company web site.
  • Refresh your memory about your present and former employers.
  • You will be expected to know at least the basic facts about the companies you have worked for.
  • Prepare some questions to ask during the interview.
  • You might like to ask questions about exactly what the position involves, the reason the position is available, training opportunities, Company growth plans etc.

2. Questions

Naturally the interviewer is going to have many questions to ask you. Be prepared to answer ones like:

  • Why did you choose this particular vocation?
  • What do you really want to do in life?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Ten years?
  • What style of management works the best for you?
  • What interests you about our products and services?
  • Why do you want to work for this particular company?
  • What have you done which shows initiative in your career?
  • What is the thing you are most proud of in your career?
  • What is your major weakness?
  • What are your major strengths?
  • What do you think determines a person's progress in a company?
  • Are you willing to relocate?
  • How do you spend your spare time?

3. Pre-interview Checklist

Make sure you are well prepared for the interview and have all the relevant information

  • Details of interviewer's name(s)
  • Brief information about company for review
  • Spare copies of your resume
  • Diary or calendar and Pen and Note pad for taking notes.
  • Cleaned and pressed interview outfit - Pay attention to all facets of your dress and grooming.
  • Originals of references, exam results, etc.
  • Spare change for parking meters
  • Examples of relevant work and other supportive documentation (appraisals, etc.)

4. The Interview

The first point to remember is that you are being interviewed because somebody wants to hire staff - not because they want to embarrass you. The whole interview process is designed to assess your suitability for a position.

In order to find this out, the interviewer will be evaluating qualifications, skills and intellectual qualities. He/she will also try to get an understanding of your aptitudes, stability, motivation and maturity.

The following list will assist you to make the interview as smooth and successful as possible for both you and the interviewer.

  • Plan ahead and arrive on time. Late arrival for an interview is never excusable.
  • If presented with an application form, fill it out neatly and completely.
  • Take an extra copy of your resume to the interview to assist you in filling out such forms.
  • Greet the interviewer formally until he/she indicates otherwise.
  • Shake hands firmly, looking the interviewer in the eye.
  • Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting.
  • Once seated, sit upright, be alert, friendly and interested.
  • Do not fidget.
  • Be a good listener as well as a good talker
  • Always try and relate your skills and experience to the position.
  • In order to do this, ask the interviewer to describe the position and duties at the start of the interview.
  • Do not answer questions with a simple yes or no.
  • Expand on your answers, telling those things about yourself that relate to the position.
  • Remember that you alone can sell yourself to the interviewer.
  • Make sure that your good points are relayed in a factual and sincere manner, do not be vague.
  • Never lie. If you get the job, discrepancies in your information will become apparent.
  • Most short-listed applicants are reference-checked.
  • Do not make derogatory remarks about former or present employers or companies.
  • In the first interview, it is not wise to discuss salary, holidays, bonuses, retirement etc.
  • However, you should know your value and be prepared to specify your expected salary if asked.
  • Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job under discussion, even if you are unsure.
  • It is always better to be in a position where you can choose between several jobs rather than only one.

5. Completing the Interview

  • If it is appropriate, ask when the next interview will be conducted (or what the next step will be)
  • Demonstrate your enthusiasm to attend again.
  • If you are offered the job at this point, and wish to accept, do so.
  • However, if you would like some time to think about it, be courteous in asking for that time and set a definite date.
  • On the other hand, do not be discouraged if no definite offer is made.
  • The interviewer will probably have to conduct more interviews before making an offer.
  • If you get the impression that the interview is not going well, do not be discouraged.
  • Your desire for the job will be emphasised if you continue to show your interest in the position
  • Thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration.
  • Reiterate your interest in the job.
  • If you are confident you have answered the following, then you have done all you can:

6. Things to Avoid

The interviewer will be evaluating your negative factors as well as your positive attributes. Listed below are negative factors frequently evaluated during the course of the interview and those which may lead to rejection.

  • Poor personal appearance
  • Overbearing, over aggressive, superior behaviour
  • Inability to express ideas clearly, poor poise, grammar, and diction
  • Lack of purpose or goals
  • Lack of interest and enthusiasm
  • Lack of confidence, excessive nervousness
  • Over emphasis on money
  • Evasiveness and making excuses for past behaviour
  • Lack of tact, maturity and courtesy
  • Condemnation of past employers
  • Failure to look interviewer in the eye
  • Limp, fishy handshake
  • Persistent attitude of "what can you do for me?"
  • Lack of preparation for the interview resulting in an inability to ask intelligent questions

7. Following the Interview

  • Make some notes about what transpired in the interview to assist you in preparing for possible further interviews, and discuss these with your consultant.

8. Interview Presentation

Research has demonstrated that when you first meet another person, you form a strong opinion of them within the first few seconds. Within a couple of minutes you will have formed a lasting opinion of this person! It is therefore crucial that you make a very good first impression.

In an interview scenario, the bulk of the interviewer's time will be spent checking whether your behaviour conforms to that first impression.

Ideally your presentation at interview will reinforce the first impression that you made. You will find that the interviewer will be supportive and encouraging if you have made a positive first impression.

9. Questions you might get asked

The following points should help you to prepare for questions you may be asked in the interview.

  1. Tell me about yourself.
  2. What do you know about our organisation?
  3. What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone else can't?
  4. Why should we hire you?
  5. You may be over qualified or too experienced for the position we have to offer.
  6. Did you ever fire anyone? If so, what were the reasons and how did you handle it?
  7. Why are you leaving your present job?
  8. How do you feel about leaving all your benefits?
  9. Describe what you feel to be an ideal working environment.
  10. How would you evaluate your present firm?
  11. Have you helped increase sales? Profits? How?
  12. How much financial responsibility have you had to account for?
  13. Did you supervise people on your last job?
  14. Do you like working with figures more than words?
  15. What do your co-workers think of you?
  16. In your current or last position what features did you like the most? Least?
  17. In your current or last position, what are or were your five most significant accomplishments? In your career so far?
  18. Why haven't you found a new position before now?
  19. What do you think of your boss?
  20. Would you describe a few situations in which your work was criticised?
  21. If I spoke with your previous boss, what would he say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
  22. Can you work under pressure, deadlines, etc.?
  23. Do you think you are better suited to staff work or line work?
  24. In your present position, what problems have you identified that had previously been overlooked?
  25. If you had your choice of jobs and companies where would you go?
  26. Why aren't you earning more at your age?
  27. What do you feel this position should pay?
  28. How much do you expect if we offer this position to you?
  29. Any objections to psychological test?
  30. Why do you want to work for us?
  31. What other types of jobs or companies are you considering?
  32. What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?
  33. Are you creative?
  34. How would you describe your own personality?
  35. Are you a leader?
  36. What are your goals?
  37. What are your strong points?
  38. What are your weak points?
  39. How long would you expect to stay with our company?
  40. What would you expect to be earning say ten years from now?
  41. What sort of relationship do you have with associates, both at the same level and above and below you?
  42. What are some of your outside activities or recreations?
  43. Are you continuing your education?

10. Possible Questions to Ask When Being Interviewed

  1. Why is this position vacant?
  2. How often has it been filled in the past five to ten years?
  3. What have been the primary reasons for the persons leaving?
  4. Why did the person who held this position most recently leave?
  5. What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this job?
  6. What are some of the objectives that you would like accomplished in this job?
  7. What is most pressing? What would you like to have done within the next two or three months?
  8. What are some of the longer-term objectives that you would like completed?
  9. What freedom would I have in determining my work objectives, deadlines, and methods of measurement?
  10. What kind of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances, etc?
  11. What are some of the more difficult problems that one would have to face in this position?
  12. How do you think these could be best handled?
  13. Where could a person who is successful in this position progress and within what time frame?
  14. In what ways has this organisation been most successful in terms of products and services over the years?
  15. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
  16. How is one judged? What accounts for success?

11. Finally

Remember – you are being interviewed because the employer has seen something they like about you on your resume. An interview is a positive experience and a chance for both parties to find out if the position is suitable.

Be positive, Be well prepared and you will find the whole experience enjoyable and rewarding!

Good luck!