Interview guidelines

Before the interview

Be prepared

Find out as much information as possible about the company – employers are impressed by those who show initiative. What is the company product or service? How many staff do they employ?  Is the company part of a larger group? Does the company have a Website – they are a great source of information on the company background and history. If you don’t have access to the Internet we have computers in the branch that you are welcome to access.

Don’t forget to also research the job itself – learn all you can about the job in question and decide whether you are right for the job. Read the job spec carefully, make notes about your relevant experience, note down valid points that you feel are relevant to the job in question.

The first rule of going on interview is don’t be late! Check the location and carefully plan your route prior to attending the interview. To follow are the numbers for the train and bus companies:

Trains and Tubes: 08457 48 49 50

London Buses: 020 7222 1234

Give yourself plenty of time allowing for possible delays, if you do get held up, DON’’T panic, telephone your consultant who will call ahead to inform the interviewer. If your interview is out of office hours always take a note of the clients number with you so you can call them directly – you should always inform someone if you will be late for an interview.

Word of warning

If you smoke, don’t have a ‘nerve calming’ cigarette before the interview. There is nothing more off-putting than the smell of smoke lingering on your clothes when you arrive at the interview.

From the moment you arrive be courteous and treat everyone with respect beginning with the receptionist. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, if in doubt practice beforehand, make eye contact and smile.

During the interview

·        Be confident and positive and look directly at the interviewer when you talk and listen

·        Speak clearly, be enthusiastic and express a keen interest in the position

·        Keep to the point and don’t ramble

·        Always be honest!

 How to impress at the start…

Why do you want to work here?

To answer this question you must have researched the company. Reply with the company’s attributes as you see them. Cap your answer with reference to your belief that the company can provide you with a stable and happy work environment – and that such an atmosphere would encourage your best work.

How do you feel about your progress to date?

This question is not geared solely to rate your progress; it also rates your self-esteem.  Be positive, yet do not give the impression you have already done your best work.  Make the interviewer believe you see each day as an opportunity to learn and contribute, and that you see the environment at this company as conducive to your best efforts.

What would you like to be doing five years from now?

The safest answer contains a desire to be regarded as a true professional and team player.  As far as promotion, that depends on finding a manager with whom you can grow. Of course, you will ask what opportunities exist within the company before being any more specific.

What are your biggest accomplishments?

Keep your answers job-related. If you exaggerate contributions to major projects, you will be accused of ‘coffee-machine syndrome’; the affliction of a junior clerk who claimed success for an Apollo space mission based on his relationships with certain scientists, at the coffee machine. You might begin your reply with: ‘Although I feel my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I am proud of my involvement with…  I made a contribution as part of that team and learned a lot in the process.’

Some possible questions

Unless the subject is raised by the interviewer leave questions regarding salary, benefits and working conditions until the next stage of the interview. Remember to demonstrate that you have made the effort to get to know the company, so make your questions relevant and intelligent. Don’t ask ones which have already been answered during the course of the interview and remember this list is not exhaustive so do ask other questions as well. Ensure that you listen to answers given and judge when it seems that you have asked enough.

Can you tell me more about the company?

Can you describe your area of responsibility?

Is this post a new or existing one?

Are there any times when the department/company is busier?

Can you show me where I will be working? (Probably better on a second interview)

Do you run any training schemes?

What are the promotional prospects/ Is there a clearly defined career path?

How many offices do you have?

What type of clients do you deal with?

Do you have a brochure I could take away with me to read through?

How long have you been established?

How long have you worked for the company?

What happens next, when will you be making a decision? Are you holding second interviews?

The real you…

Tell me about yourself?

This is not an invitation to ramble on. If the context isn’t clear, you need to know more about the question before giving an answer.  Whichever direction your answer ultimately takes be sure that it has some relevance to your professional endeavours. You should also refer to one or more of your key personal qualities, such as honesty, integrity, being a team player, or determination.  For example, if you choose ‘team player’, you can tell a story about yourself outside work – perhaps as a member of a sports team – that also speaks volumes about you at work.

How well do you feel other people rated your job performance?

This is one very sound reason to ask for written evaluations of your work before leaving a company. You should also ask for a letter of recommendation whenever you leave a job.  Do not thrust these under your interviewer’s nose, but when you are asked the question, you can produce them with a flourish. If you don’t have written evaluations, try to quote verbal appraisals, such as ‘My boss said only a month ago that I was the most valuable staff member in the work group, because…’

What is your greatest strength?

Isolate high points from your background and build in a couple of your key personal qualities, such as pride in your work, reliability and the ability to stick with a difficult task, yet change course rapidly when required.

What is your greatest weakness?

This is a direct invitation to put your head in a noose. Decline the invitation. If there is a minor part of the job at hand where you lack knowledge – but knowledge you will obviously pick up quickly – use that. For instance: ‘I haven’t worked with this type of spreadsheet before but, given my experience with six other types, I should be able to pick it up in a few days.’ Another option is to design the answer so your weakness is ultimately a positive characteristic. For example: ‘I always give each new project my best shot, so if I sometimes feel others aren’t pulling their weight, I find it a little frustrating.  I try to overcome it with a positive attitude that I hope will catch on.’ Also consider the technique of putting a problem in the past and showing how you overcame it.

What are you looking for in your next job?

You want a company where your talents and experience will allow you to contribute to their business. Avoid saying what you want the company to give you; you must say what you want in terms of what you can give to your employer. The key word is ‘contribution’.

 Under the spotlight

Why do you want to leave your current job? Or why did you leave your last job?

You should have an acceptable reason for leaving every job you have held but if you don’t, pick one of the six acceptable reasons from this employment industry CLAMPS formula:

Challenge: You weren’t able to grow professionally.

Location: The journey to work was unreasonably long.

Advancement: There was nowhere for you to go.

Money: You were underpaid for your skills and contribution.

Pride or prestige: You wanted to be with a better company.

Security: The Company was not stable.

What kind of salary are you worth?

This question is asking you to name a desired figure but the twist is that it also asks you to justify that figure. It requires that you demonstrate careful analysis of your worth, industry norms, and job requirements. You are recommended to try for a higher figure rather than a lower one. If their immediate response is to say that’s too much, accept it as no more than a negotiating gambit, and come back with your own calm rebuttal: ‘What did you have in mind?’

Some questions that may require answering

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.

At the end

At the end of the interview don’t be afraid to tell the interviewer that you are interested in the position. Remain positive and thank the interviewer for their time. Smile and shake hands firmly and join in if the interviewer makes small talk, don’t appear to be in too much of a hurry to get away. 

Remember that you are still being assessed as you leave the building, remain polite, even to people in the lift, you never know who you could be talking to. 

I hope this information will help you succeed in all your future career aspects as it did for me, good luck and BE CONFIDENT!.

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