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If you’ve followed our CV guidelines, hopefully it’s secured you an interview. You’ve sold yourself on paper - now you’ve got to sell yourself.

Employers need to confirm that you have the required knowledge, skills and willingness to contribute and fit into their organisation’s culture. They are also interested to see whether your career expectations are in line with the opportunities available and whether you’ll be a valued, trusted and a productive team member.

As experienced interviewers, we’ve put together the following guidelines that we hope will maximise your success through the interview process.

Be Prepared

It is often the simple and most obvious things, which can make the difference between securing or losing your ideal job offer. Before the interview there are several things that you can do to give you the leading edge over other applicants. A positive attitude is essential to convince the employer to offer you that lucrative position. So:

Research

Research the company in as much detail as you can. Visit the company website for more detailed information and request a copy of their Annual Report. You can also contact your consultant who will have expert knowledge of the client, the environment you'll be working in, the company culture as well as the employer's expectations and candidate requirements. Take advantage of their experience and they will help you secure your ideal role.

It is important to find out specific facts about the company:

What its products and services are?
What is its growth potential for the future?
Who are their main competitors?
How are they viewed in the market place?

There are a number of research applications providing this information. Among the most helpful are:

The company's annual reports
Kompass
Textline
The Stock Exchange Research Handbook
The Internet/Company websites

Ensure that you are up to speed with the facts and figures of your present/former employer. You will be expected to know a lot of information about the company you have previously worked for.

Presentation

First impressions count. Ensure that you wear your smartest suit and act in a professional manner throughout the interview. A company is more likely to hire somebody who is well presented as they will be future representatives of their company.

Punctuality

Ensure that you know the exact time and location of the interview. Your recruitment consultant will provide you with a contact name and also a map of how to get there if required. Allow plenty of time in case of travel delays.

During The Interview

Do's

Introduce yourself courteously
Arrive on time or earlier if possible
Express yourself clearly
Smile during the interview
Show how your experience can benefit the company
Ask questions concerning the company for which you are being interviewed for
Construct your answers carefully
Show willingness to learn and progress
Be assertive without being aggressive
Switch off your mobile phone during the interview!
Prepare 10 relevant questions, you'll probably cover 5 in the interview

Don'ts

Don't be late for the interview
Don't be unprepared for the interview
Don't answer questions with a "Yes" or "No". Expand whenever possible
Don't lie. Answer all questions truthfully and honestly
Don't overemphasise money. Do not discuss salary in the 1st interview unless they do; getting the job at this stage is the main priority - salary negotiations will follow
Don't say negative things about previous employers
Don't show lack of career planning

For every responsibility/requirement on the job specification, ensure you have at least one example of a competency or a transferable skill that covers that requirement for the interview.

Typical Employer Questions

Q: Tell me about yourself? (Interviewer thinks: I want to hear you talk)
A: This is a conversation starter and is nearly always asked. Talk about your qualifications, competencies and range of skills. Particularly emphasise those skills that are most relevant to the position on offer.

Q: Describe your achievements to date: (Interviewer thinks: Are you successful?)
A: Another common question, so prepare beforehand. Select an achievement that is career related. Identify the skills you used in this situation and quantify the benefit.

Q: Has your career met your expectations? (Interviewer thinks: Are you confident, happy, positive?)
A: Answer must be a resounding "YES", however, if you feel you are moving too slowly, then give reasons for this. Qualify your answer.

Q: Tell me the most challenging situation you have faced recently and how you dealt with it? (Interviewer thinks: Are you logical? Do you show initiative? What is your definition of difficult?)
A: This is a trap question. To avoid it select a difficult work situation that was not caused by you, the options available, how you selected the appropriate one and why and how you resolved it and what the outcome was. Ensure that it is positive.

Q: What are your strengths? (Interviewer thinks: I hope you're honest, what have you got that's different? How can I use you in the team? What value will you add to the company?)
A: You are going to get asked this question, so there is no excuse for not being prepared. Discuss your main strengths. List three or four ways they could benefit your employer. Strengths to consider include technical proficiency, ability to learn quickly, determination, positive attitude and your ability to relate to people and work as a team. Provide examples and be prepared to back them up.

Q: What are your major weaknesses? (Interviewer thinks: I hope you're honest, what aren't you interested in? What will you need help with? What's your self-awareness like.)
A: Don't say "none" - we all have weaknesses. There are two options available when asked such a question - use a professional weakness such as lack of experience on your part in an area that is not essential to the job on offer. 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 this.

Q: What decisions do you find difficult to make? (Interviewer thinks: Are you decisive? Do you have a human side?)
A: Your answer must not display weakness. Focus on decisions that have to be made without sufficient information. This will show your positive side.

Q: Why are you leaving your current employer?
A: Should be a straightforward answer - looking for more challenge, responsibility and experience. DO NOT be negative in your reasons for leaving, positive reasons are better.

Q: How do you deal with confrontation? (Interviewer thinks: Are you strong? Can you admit you're wrong?)
A: Again - this is a trap question. Demonstrate that you're willing to listen, implement changes where necessary, but you have the courage of your convictions and will be firm when necessary

Q: Why do you want to work for this company? (Interviewer thinks: Are you prepared, knowledgeable? What's the image of the company externally?)
A: Show you have researched into the firm's position in the market, what the company's strategy is, how long the particular department you are interviewing for has been around and what their corporate image is looking to project.

Likely Questions

How does your job fit into your department and company? (Gives an idea of level of responsibility.)
What do you enjoy about the industry? Why do you want to work in this industry?
How do you respond to working under pressure? Provide examples.
What kinds of people do you like working with?
How have you coped when your work has been criticised? (Give an example including the outcome.)
What is the worst situation you have faced outside work? (Give an example including the outcome.)
What kind of people do you find difficult to work with? (Be extremely careful when answering this question. Give an example and how you resolved/overcome the situation.)
Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss. How did you resolve this?
What are your preferred working conditions, working alone or in a group and why?
How do you think you are going to fit in here especially as this organisation is very different to your current employer? (You may not be able to answer until you have established what he/she perceives as the differences.)
What are you looking for in a company?
How do you measure your own performance?
What motivates you?
Why do you think you would be good at this job?
What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
How do you feel about working long hours and/or weekends?
What example can you give me of when you have been out of your depth?
What have you failed to achieve to date?
What can you bring to this organisation?
What area of your skills do you want to improve? (Try to relate this to the role on offer.)
Which part of this role is least attractive to you?
How do you see this job developing your skills and experience?
Why do you want to work in this area of this company?
What qualifies you for this job?
Where do you see this job going?
Why do you think you would like this role?
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Why should I give this position to you instead of the other people on the shortlist? (Strengths.)
What reservations should I have about you as an employee? (Weaknesses.)
What do you do in your spare time?
What will you do if you don't get the job?

Questions to Employers

The interview is a two-way process. As well as the employer interviewing you, you are also interviewing your prospective employer. Remember, employers ask questions to get information out of you - but it is a two way process - make sure you tell them the information you want them to hear. Prepare questions prior to the interview:

What will my role entail?
How has this position become vacant?
How does my role fit into the structure of the overall department?
How will my performance be monitored?
Who will I report to?
Will anyone report to me?
What are the opportunities for further training?
Where is your company going? Expansion plans?
Will this position involve travelling?
What is the next step? What does my daily routine involve?
What is the objective of this organisation/department/team?
What sort of person does well here?
How might I influence my own future in the company?
Which of my skills are required to do this job?
How does the culture of this team, this organisation compare to others?
How will this role satisfy my drives for success/progression/travel?
What is it about this department and organisation that you (the interviewer) enjoy?

Closing the Interview

If you are interested in the role, ask about the next interview stage if appropriate. If the interviewer offers you the job on the spot and you want it, accept it there and then. If you require further time to think it over, be tactful in saying so and qualify your reasons. Try and provide a definite date as to when you can provide an answer.

Do not be disappointed if no definite job offer is made the interview stage. The interviewer will in most cases need to consult colleagues first or interview other suitable candidates.

If you feel that the interview is not going well, do not be discouraged. Sometimes this is part of an interviewer's technique to see how you perform under pressure - and may have no bearing on whether you will/will not get the job. Display a positive attitude at all times.
Ensure that you thank the interviewer

After the interview it is essential that you call your recruitment consultant and provide feedback. In most situations the consultant will not be able to get feedback from the client without speaking to you first. Any delay in providing this feedback can slow down the whole process. One of the most important learning aspects of interviewing is the feedback that you'll receive from the recruitment consultants after they've spoken to your potential employer. Whether it is positive or negative, it is essential that you take it on board and use it for future interviews. Feedback is a great learning opportunity for you.