Interview Techniques

There are many different Interviewing Techniques available and many scenarios that make up the interview process. It’s true what they say when a prospective employer decides about you in the first 10 seconds. You have to make a good first impression so always ask questions and make sure you learn as much as you can about the company. Interviewers also try to ask questions designed to trip you up, so make sure you have some quick answers.

There is so much to consider when attending an interview but there is one important factor that you must understand – unless a prospective employer is simply going through the motions because they've already appointed someone, which is very rare, they want that successful applicant to be you. Clients normally don’t have time to waste. They want you to be the ideal person to fill the position; they want to know that their search is over.

Therefore, remember, for your interview, the job is yours.

This is where so many people fail when attending an interview. Some people don't take enough care and preparation and the interview becomes more of a chore than a stimulating, informative and enjoyable meeting for both parties.

Yes, interviewees are usually nervous (though not all) and therefore they become self absorbed and self-conscious, which takes their attention off the job at hand and onto themselves.

It doesn't belong there. It needs to be focused on the interviewer and on the prospective job.

That way you can leave the interview knowing you did as well as you were able to at the time, rather than kicking yourself at what you could or should have done.
 

What to do first

Before your interview find out everything you can about the company. Visit their web site if one is available, check out locations, any news items about the company. The Web is a very useful information tool. Use it!

Re-read your CV and the Job Specification and make sure you check you application. Go over your own career and the questions you may have been asked before. And go through your career history. Prospective employers will go through your CV in detail. Try to anticipate the general questions which they will ask and also prepare some questions to ask them.

To do well at an interview you need to convince the interviewer you are not only technically qualified to do the job, but you are the best candidate for the role. If you don’t have all the desired skills required, two things to remember: Firstly, the interviewer must know you are a capable individual or he wouldn’t have taken his time to see you, and secondly, it gives you an opportunity to draw upon your other strengths rather than focusing on skills which you don’t have yet you try to convince the employer you know. Don’t try to fudge your way through. An employer will see this straight away. At the interview itself you must be positive about yourself and your abilities - but do not waffle

You will also need to show that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job done well and that you will fit in with the company's organisational structure and the team in which you will work. An employer is looking for enthusiasm.

You should always dress smartly for the interview and should leave home earlier than you need to on the day of the interview - you may be delayed by traffic or for other reasons.

Be courteous to all employees of the company.

Body Language

When you are being interviewed it is very important that you give out the right signals. You should always look attentive. Always shake the hand of your prospective employer and make sure you put your hand out first. Never take off your jacket, even if your employer says you can and never sit down until invited! 

Never lie to anyone in an interview, your body language and tone of voice or the words you use will probably give you away - classic body language giveaways include scratching your nose and not looking directly at the other person when you are speaking to them. And never cross your arms. This shows you are holding something in.

What questions will I be asked?

This isn’t an easy one to explain as there are so many questions that an employer can ask you. If you have done your homework on the company and yourself, hopefully you should be fully equipped to answer any question posed to you throughout your interview.

If you are ever asked a question that you cannot answer, be honest. Say you don’t know. A prospective employer will much prefer honesty.

What we do have is a selection below which hopefully will give some idea as to how to answer the most common questions asked at an interview:

Why do you want this job?

Think carefully about this question. Stress the positive aspects about the client and the job, which have attracted you to applying for this position. Never mention the negative aspects of your current job or the job in question. Tell them your aspirations but be careful not to go too far. He may think you’re after his job!!

What qualities do you think will be required for this job?

Their advertisement for the job may help you a little bit, but you should also think of the other qualities that may be required. These may include leadership ability, supervisory skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem solving, analytical skills, etc. Enhance your own qualities. This is a time for you to express yourself.

What can you contribute?

This is your chance to shine. Tell them about your achievements in your previous position(s) which are relevant to the new position you are applying for.

Why do you want to work for this company?

Emphasise the positive reasons why you want to join their company, but avoid aspects such as more money or shorter hours. These would not endear you to a prospective employer. 

What do you know about this company?

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, company figures, customers, etc.

What interests you about our product (or service)?

Again, your research into the company should aid you in answering this question.

What can we (the new company) offer that your previous company cannot offer?

Tread carefully here! Again do not mention money. Stress opportunities for personal growth, new challenges, etc.

What questions shall I ask?

Again, these questions are determined by the response you have had to the interview. The interview is a two-way process. It’s not just about you attending an interview to determine your suitability to them. You have to make sure the company is right for you. And this is a very important factor which you must take into consideration. You should therefore ensure that you have enough information to make up your mind whether you want the job.

The following questions should hopefully be of help.

What will be my responsibilities?

Where will I fit into the overall organisational structure?

Who will I report to?

Where does he/she fit in the structure?

Who will report to me?

How experienced are they?

What do you expect me to do in the first 6 months?

What level of performance do you expect from me?

Who are your customers?

What are the aspirations of the company?

Where is the company going? Expansion plans?

What are the chances of advancement/promotion in this position? When?

Will travelling be required in this position?

Will relocation be required now or in the future?

What training do you provide?

When will you decide on the appointment?

What is the next step?

What will be my salary, benefits and bonuses? [Do not bring this up too early in the interview - wait until they are sold on you.]

More than one interviewer

Lets be honest, nobody likes to be interviewed by more than one or two people. But when you have three or more people, it becomes very demanding, difficult to manage and above all scary.

Most people find these types of interviews difficult and to do well you will need to identify the important figures on the within the group and which role each is fulfilling. The chairperson is easy to identify as they will generally make the introductions. You will also need to identify the person whom you will be working for directly - make sure you give them plenty of eye contact.

When you are talking to a group, remember that you are talking to all of them and not just the person who posed a particular question. Make sure you distribute your eye contact and answer to all of the people in the room. And your answer has to be the correct one for each member! If there is one particular person who everyone else seems to agree with, you should make sure you impress him or her.

After the Interview

Once you have said your goodbyes and are now waiting patiently for a response, a good way of impressing a prospective employer is to write to him personally, with a thank you letter. It is good practice to write your interview thank you letters soon after you have had any interviews. This will make you stand out from everyone else who has been interviewed - as very few people (if any) will bother to write a letter to say thank you.

In this letter you should thank the interviewer(s) for meeting you and if possible provide some additional information about yourself or a problem that the company needed a solution for.

What can make an interview fail?

If you follow the tips above and you prepare in the correct manner, apart from being unqualified, things should go fairly well. But always remember the following:

Being unprepared for the interview - you should always prepare thoroughly before any interview (this

will also make you feel more confident at the interview).

Poor/limp handshake – be firm and confident.

Saying unfavourable things about previous employers - the employer will be wondering what you will say

about them when you leave their employment.

Not being able to communicate clearly and effectively.

Being aggressive or acting in a superior way.

Making excuses for failings.

If you know you’re good, don’t admit it. This won’t do your popularity vote any favours