So, your ‘killer CV’ has won you an interview. Now your aim is to get the job, or at least get to the next interview stage.
Key to being a shining star at interviews is Enthusiasm, Preparation and then more Preparation! This page will give you tips and help you plan for some of the questions you may be asked.
What is the interview for?
Interviews are a two-way thing. The client wants to make the right cultural/personality fit as well as ensuring you have the specific skills to do the job. Likewise you, the applicant, want to see if you are going to be happy working with them.
Get the basics right first
- Arrive 5-10 minutes early.
- Create a good impression (dress smartly as for a business meeting.)
- Make eye contact and be aware of body language.
- Know the names and positions of the people interviewing you.
- Relax and be yourself
Six special questions
Ensure you know all about the Company: (history, market sector, culture, target). Visit their website and inwardly digest.
Be ready to answer the ‘6 Specials’:
- What are your reasons for wanting to move?
- Why do you want to join the company?
- How much do you know about what this company does?
- Why should we choose you for this position?
- What are your long-term career plans?
- Can you explain your sales / performance figure analysis (i.e. sales performance versus targets, profitability, growth year-on-year)? Do you have credible evidence to back this up?
Show an interest
Have questions of your own to ask:
- Where will this job be in 6 months time?
- How does your company stay ahead of the competition?
- What sort of clients do you have?
- What is your staff turnover like?
- Will there be a chance to do some training?
- Are you planning to grow and how?
What the Interviewer will be asking themselves:
- What is their body language telling me? (i.e. do they look bored, interested, defensive etc?)
- Are they clean and well presented?
- Have they prepared for the interview?
- Are they asking me intelligent questions?
- Have they found out about us before coming to the interview?
- Do they understand their own figures?
- Are they being honest with me?
- Are they waffling and boring me?
What you should be asking yourself:
- Am I neat and tidy and looking businesslike?
- Am I relaxed and being positive about my achievements?
- Am I listening properly?
- Have I got answers to the ‘6 Special’ questions?
- Am I well versed in what this company does?
- Have I got some intelligent questions to ask them?
- Am I going to be a good personality fit for this company?