Interviews tips – for interviewees
- Research as much as you can about the company – products, services, markets, competitors, trends, current activities, priorities.
- Prepare your answers for the type of questions you’ll be asked, especially, be able to say why you want the job, what your strengths are, how you’d do the job, what your best achievements are.
- Prepare good questions to ask at the interview. Showing a genuine interest in the company, the people you would work with and the job itself is important.
- Assemble hard evidence (make sure it’s clear and concise) of how what you’ve achieved in the past – proof will put you ahead of those who merely talk about it.
- Have at least one other interview lined up, or have a recent job offer, or the possibility of receiving one from a recent job interview, and make sure you mention it to the interviewer.
- Make sure your resume is up to date, looking very good and even if already supplied to the interviewer take three with you (one for the interviewer, one for you and a spare in case the interviewer brings a colleague in to the meeting).
- Get hold of the following material and read it, and remember the relevant issues, and ask questions about the areas that relate to the organization and the role. Obtain and research: the company’s sales brochures and literature, a trade magazine covering the company’s market sector, and a serious newspaper for the few days before the interview so you’re informed about world and national news. Also worth getting hold of: company ‘in-house’ magazines or newsletters, competitor leaflets, local or national newspaper articles featuring the company.
- Review your personal goals and be able to speak openly and honestly about them and how you plan to achieve them.
- Ensure you have two or three really good reputable and relevant references, and check they’d each be happy to be contacted.
- Adopt an enthusiastic, alert, positive mind-set.
- Particularly think about how to deal positively with any negative aspects – especially from the perspective of telling the truth, instead of evading or distorting facts, which rarely succeeds.
- Try to get some experience of personality tests. Discover your personality strengths and weaknesses that would be indicated by a test, and be able to answer questions positively about the results. (Do not be intimidated by personality testing – expose yourself to it and learn about yourself.)
- Think about what to wear. Dress simply, nicely, cleanly and comfortably.
- Some jobs invite or offer opportunity to re-define or develop the role itself. It might be a existing role or a new position. If so prepare for this. Most jobs in fact offer this potential, but sometimes it is a stated requirement.
Good luck. For more information and support, attend our professional development course.
