Interview Tips

Career Clinic

The job interview is an opportunity for both you and the employer to appraise and learn more about each other.  First impressions are extremely important so you must project a positive image from the onset.

The interviewer has no intentions to unruffle you or trip you up with trick questions. He or she simply wishes to view you in person and to find out what benefits and qualities you can impart on the company. Obviously, they will also be seeking to satisfy themselves that your skills and experience match the job and person specification.

During the interview you should have an objective view on how the company can benefit you; and you should have already done your research on the company when you first applied for the job.

The essential key to interviews is simply being yourself throughout the meeting and confidently so.  Remember compatibility works both ways; you are also there to establish how the role could benefit you and your career.

Some Interview do’s

• Research the organisation
• Request a job/ person specification prior to the meeting
• Prepare questions to ask to show you are keen about the job and company.  Sharp questions will show that you are proactive and want to make sure that this is the right company for you
• Be on time for the interview
• Dress appropriately; make an effort to look presentable and well groomed
•  Find out the interviewers name before the meeting
• Google the name of the Interviewer and the Company name – you will be amazed how much information you may discover – what PR initiatives they have been involved with, recent wins, product launches etc
• See if there are any reports that the Company has been involved in
• Google search what the Company do – who are their competitors etc
• Conduct yourself politely
• Maintain eye contact, it shows you are confident and focussed
• Carry an extra copy of your CV with you, just in case
• Listen carefully and answer questions directly.  If you are unclear about a question, ask the interviewer to clarify
• Close the interview by asking how you performed throughout, and if the interviewer requires clarification in any areas.  Remember this could be your only chance of getting that “dream” job
• Always thank the interviewer for their time and leave on a positive note

Questions to ask the Interviewer

These questions are presented only as interviewing guidelines.  They are meant to help prepare you for the interview.  Some of these questions may or may not be appropriate for your interviewing situation.

1. Why is this position open?
2. How often has it been filled in the past five years?
3. What would you like done differently by the person who fills this position?
4. What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
5. What would you like to see achieved in the next 3 months?
6. What are some of the long term objectives you would like to see completed?
7. What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position?
8. How do you think these would be best handled?
9. What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances etc?
10. What freedom would I have in determining my own work objectives, deadlines and methods of measurement?
11. What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position, and within what time frame
12. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future
13. What accounts for success within the company?


Questions you may be asked

By practicing your responses to some of these questions, hopefully you will not be taken off guard if asked one of them.

14. Tell me about yourself (try to hold your response to two minutes).
15. What do you know about the company? You can use Google to research the Company, try to obtain 5 facts about the Company and what they do to help you.
16. Why should we employ you?
17. What do you look for in a job?
18. How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
19. How does this position fit into your overall career plan?
20. Describe your management style?
21. Why are you looking for a new career?
22. How would your colleagues describe you?
23. How would your boss describe you?
24. How would you describe yourself?
25. What are the five most significant accomplishments in your career so far?
26. How do you work under pressure?
27. Why do you want to work for us?
28. What other positions are you considering?
29. What are your career goals?
30. What are your strong/ weak points?
31. What position do you expect to have in 2-5 years?
32. If you took the job what would you accomplish in the first year?