Interview skills

Preparing yourself before an interview will help you make the most of the oppurtunity you have been given to impress.

Types of interviews

There are different types of job interviews and this will affect the way in which you prepare. A job interview could follow one or more of the following outlines:

Behavioural – asking about your past competency as a guide to predict your future behaviour
Technical – asking specific technical questions to test your knowledge
Case Studies – to discover your processes, e.g. ability to analyse, identify key issues, etc.
One-on-one – should be considered as a formal interview
Panel – more than one interviewer – address each person with eye contact and body language
Telephone/Video conferencing – be prepared, sit at a table in a quiet environment

Make sure that you know which structure the interview will take so that you have time to prepare. Contact the company/organisation to ask if you haven't been informed.

Careers Interviews I 1 — Be prepared, know the interview structure.

Preparation

Prepare yourself for the interview by gathering information about the employer to give you an overall understanding of the company. Gather your research through multiple sources such as the internet, informational interviews, phone books, libraries, or by talking to people.

Practise

Prepare and practice your answers to typical interview questions. If you feel prepared your confidence levels will soar. The section Example interview questions below contains some examples.

Check the job description and candidate specification. Does it fit you? Why do you want this job? (make sure you can make a valuable case when asked this question). What can you offer?

Prepare and practice answers to these questions, and others you think may be asked. Prepare and practice your own questions to ask (you can take notes with you if you wish).

Ask a friend or family member to ask you these questions and practise answering out loud.

Check the exact time and place of the interview.

Check the title and name of the interviewer(s).

Personal presentation

First impressions are very important!

Wear smart, conservative clothes. Dress as if you already have the job. Choose something you feel comfortable and confident in.

Check yourself:

Clean hair
Clean nails
Clean shoes
Clean, pressed clothes

Boost your confidence - prepare and practise.

The DO'S of interviews
Arrive five minutes early.
Bring extra copies of your CV.
Bring something to write on and something to write with.
Be polite to everyone you meet, including staff at reception.
First impressions do count!
Greet the interviewer by name and shake hands firmly.
Wait until asked to be seated.
Sit with good posture and look alert and interested at all times.
Listen carefully to the questions and think about the question before answering.
Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer.
Smile now and then.
In a panel situation address your reply to the person who has asked the question, however let your eyes and gestures take in the whole panel.
Avoid answering just "yes' or "no'.
Elaborate when appropriate but keep answers clear and concise.
Assume all questions are asked for a good reason and give them your best response.
Ask for repetition or clarification of a question if you are unclear about what is being asked.
Give positive answers and display enthusiasm for the job.
Have some questions prepared to ask the interviewer.
Thank the interviewer or panel for the opportunity to be interviewed when the interview is finished.

The DON'TS of interviews
Arrive late.
Take too much stuff, or anything distracting or noisy.
Leave your cell phone switched on.
Chew gum.
Smoke ... or smell of smoke.
Call the interviewer by first their name, or the wrong name.
Slouch in your seat.
Appear desperate for a job - any job!
Invent or exaggerate experience or skills. (You will get found out eventually)
Make derogatory remarks about former employers, courses or learning institutions.
Cut in when a question is being asked. Wait until the interviewer has finished speaking before you respond.
Correct an interviewer or adopt a superior attitude.
Bring up the subject of salary near the beginning of the interview.
Give memorised responses and forget parts, or misunderstand the question because you have focused on keywords you have committed to memory.
Oversell yourself.

Panic mode

What should you do in the interview if your mind simply goes blank? Try some of these phrases to give yourself time to gather your thoughts.

“How do you mean?”

“That’s a very good question could I have some time to think about it please?”

“Sorry I’m not sure I understood the question fully”

"Could we come back to that question later please?"

Repeat the question out loud (this gives you more time to think).

Could you repeat the question please?

The Interview - The Good, the Bad & the Hired

Watch this video to experience a good and a bad interview.

2:00

You will need to be prepared for the types of questions that you might be asked in the interview and, of course, for your answers.

Here are some typical questions that you may be asked at an interview. They are only a guide of what you may encounter. You are also likely to be asked questions based on the information you have given in your application form or CV, such as questions about your work experience or education.

You may find it helpful to use the STAR formula to fully answer interview questions.

S
T
A
R

Situation

Describe a situation you were in.
Task

Describe the task you needed to do. Be specific.
Action

What action did you take? Keep the focus on you. Avoid blaming. What did YOU do?
Result

What happened? What did you learn? What was accomplished?

How to use the STAR technique.

Guardian Jobs

3:30

Interview questions

Take your time to formulate each answer, what is the interviewer aiming to understand about you?

Example questions

Click on each question to get some advice on how to answer.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

Think about the position you are applying for and talk about key elements within your life, both personal and professional, that are relevant to the role.

Why have you applied for this job?

Stress the positive aspects which have attracted you. Do not mention the negative aspects of your current job or this job.

What skills do you think are needed for this job?

The job description should give you some answers to this, but think of the other skills and qualities that may be required. These may include communication skills, interpersonal skills, leadership ability, supervisory skills, problem solving and analytical skills.

Have you done anything like this before? Where? When? Outcome?

Be honest when answering this question. If the answer is yes give details about your previous experience. If the answer is no draw on other experiences which you feel are parallel or illustrate skills needed in the new role.

What can you contribute to this organisation?

This is your chance to sell yourself. Stress your achievements in your previous jobs which are relevant to the new position.

Why do you want to work for this organisation?

Emphasise the positive reasons why you want to join this company. Stress opportunities for personal growth and new challenges. Avoid aspects such as more money or shorter hours.

What do you know about this organisation?

This is your chance to impress the interviewer with your knowledge of their company. Give them a run down of their products/services, sales figures, news, profits and major customers.

Why are you changing careers?

This question will only be asked if you are making a big change in your career. Always stress the positive aspects of the change rather than the negative aspects of your previous career. Say why you think you will be good in the new career - this should come from your experience and achievements, stress the transferable skills you have, such as leadership ability.

What are your career goals?

Link in your goals with the company that is interviewing you.

What would your ideal job be?

Describe the job in terms of the criteria they have used to describe their job. An ideal job might include things like challenging work, a fair rate of pay for the job, hard working colleagues, good career prospects, good team atmosphere, opportunity to learn new skills and develop current skills.

What is your greatest strength/weakness?

The answer to both these questions are the same. For example, being a perfectionist can be a strength and a weakness at the same time.

What was your greatest success?

Highlight an achievement which is related to their needs. Explain in detail how you achieved success.

What has been your biggest failure?

Choose a failure which you were later able to rectify, or something that pushed you down a new pathway.

Can you give us an example of a time you have had to make a difficult decision?

Use the STAR method to describe the situation and make sure you conclude the describion with what you learnt from the decision.

How would you describe yourself? How would others describe you?

Pick your best attributes and achievements from your career.

What level of salary are you looking for now?

Be very careful when you answer this question - you do not want to appear to be greedy. The same principles as above apply. If you are applying for a specific vacancy you could ask them what the salary range is.

Is there anything else we need to know about you?

Use this opportunity to divulge any important information you think is relevant. It is also an opportunity to bring up another experience or skill you have which has not yet been touched on in the interview.

If successful when could you start?

Be prepared to answer this question by checking the required notice period for resignations if you are currently working. Take into consideration the time it takes to relocate if that is required.