At the interview, your main aim is to reinforce the excellent impression made by your CV. You do not want to be stuck for words, so it is important to think about what you are going to say, how you are going to say it and how you are going to act beforehand.
Here are a few proven strategies that will help you take control of the interview and ensure that the whole process goes smoothly.
Do your homework
Try logging on to the company's website, get hold of company literature and find out about competitors. If the opportunity to use this knowledge arises, you'll be able to demonstrate an impressive level of interest in the organisation.
Making a good first impression
Look smart and professional. Dress traditional rather than trendy. Take a copy of your CV with you. Even the most efficient companies can mislay or forget to bring a document. Plan your route and allow plenty of extra time to get to the interview. Be courteous, smile and shake hands firmly.
Body language
You may be superbly qualified for a job, but you must also look motivated and interested. The way you act, your posture, gestures and facial expressions, will reveal a lot about you. Look the interviewer in the eye and don't be afraid to smile when it is appropriate. If you are being interviewed by more than one person, always look at and address the person who posed the question, then glance at the others when you have finished your answer. Adopt a good posture, don't cross your arms, fidget, tap your feet, sprawl or lean forward anxiously.
Sounding positive
Don't use phrases such as 'I feel I could', 'I think I can'.
Don't give simple yes and no answers.
Be enthusiastic but don't constantly interrupt.
Before the interview, practice your presenting to friends.
Don't be evasive. Make a virtue of any career gaps on your CV.
Be prepared for the following questions
Expect some of these questions
How would you describe yourself?
How would your manager describe you?
What is your career path for the future?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
What motivates you to be successful?
How do you react when you are left to work without supervision?
Give me an example of when you have coped well under pressure?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This final question is particularly tricky. Obviously, you can't claim to have no weaknesses, but you don't want to stress anything too negative. The best solution is to admit to one weakness and then turn it around and show how you have constructively overcome it.
The interview is a two-way process
At the end of the interview the employer will usually ask if you have any questions about the job or company, so always prepare a few in advance. This is a good chance to clarify any points of doubt. After all, you need to make sure that the job is exactly what you expected and what you want.
Formulating the killer question and the all-important close!
Many candidates will follow the same tired and un-original course of asking questions around the package, benefits and areas that are important to you the candidate i.e. “What are the training opportunities? Or “how much travel is involved?”. These are questions that can all be answered once you have "SECURED" the job!
This vital stage of the interview process must be seen as an additional opportunity to market yourself to the interviewer rather than asking the same un-engaging questions they hear all the time. The best way to do this is to target your questions around the key areas that make you stand out as a candidate.
For Example:
“whilst I was at my last company part of my role was to plan and action new Business Development initiatives, I had significant success whilst targeting potential customers who had registered their details on the internet with whom we had no trading history with. Is this an approach you currently adopt or is this something I could bring to the role?”
“In my current role I often meet my customers for site surveys out of the normal business hours normally between 5 and 7pm. I find I get a much warmer response and most of my clients are home at that time of day. How does your team approach this opportunty?”
When you ask a role specific question that continues to market yourself to the interviewer, not only do you engage the interviewer in a conversation of interest but you also reinforce yourself as someone that stands out from the rest of the field!
The close
Many interviews will finish with a smile, thanking the interviewer for their time a handshake and the usual “I look forward to hearing from you”. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with this approach although if you want to stand out from the rest of field then the following close will always leave a much stronger impression.
“Thank you for your time , I enjoyed our meeting today. I do have a number of opportunities developing for me currently but since meeting you and discussing the opportunity in greater detail, this is definitely the right role for me. Are there are any concerns you may have at this stage and if not what would be the next step from here?”
This close needs to be delivered in a style that you are comfortable with and fits your approach, as long as you follow the principle of reinforcing your interest, others have interest in you and that you want to get commitment on feedback or the next step.
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You are almost there and it's really now all about you
Some people always seem to succeed at interviews. They're not lucky, their secret is careful preparation. The better prepared you are, the more confident you will be and the more success you will have. Remember, if you have prepared properly then when you go to an interview you will already have beaten most candidates, the employer wants you to succeed - that job is yours!
Good Luck !!
