Interview Tips
Preparing for the interview
· Plan what to wear – you will need to look smart and tidy
· Make sure that you know where you’re going and how to get there, practice the journey if necessary.
· Allow plenty of time to get there.
· Think about what to take with you – your Record of Achievement, certificates etc.
· Find out as much as you can about the firm and about what you hope to be doing there.
· Practice the interview.
· Think about the questions you would like to ask the interviewer.
· Make a list of what the interviewer will be asking for.
· Make a list of the skills and qualities that you have and think of the situation in which you have used them.
· Think about how your skills and qualities will be useful in the work or training for which you are being interviewed.
At the interview
· Be on time.
· Be pleasant and polite.
· Be confident – you have already done well to reach the interview stage.
· Sit comfortably and try to relax.
· Look at the interviewer – not at the floor!
· Speak clearly and give full answers to the questions asked.
· Use your Record of Achievement & other information that you have taken to demonstrate your skills & qualities.
· Ask questions that show your interest – e.g. ask about the work and training you will be doing.
· Stress your strengths and how they will be useful in the working area.
Interview Questions
Interview questions may vary but in essence they are all trying to establish the following:
1. Your skills and experience to do the job;
2. Your enthusiasm and interest for the job;
3. Whether you will fit in.
If you can answer questions, using real-life examples to illustrate your points, then you should be able to answer most of the questions that arise including the following frequently asked questions.
· Tell me about yourself?
· What are your key skills/strengths? What are your weaknesses?
· Why did you leave your last job?
· Why do you want this job?
· Tell me about a difficult scenario at work and how you dealt with it
· Tell me about an achievement of which you are proud?
· What are your career goals?
Question for the interviewer
At the end of most interviews, you will be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer.Asking no questions suggests a lack of interest; also don’t ‘go through the motions’ of asking unoriginal questions to fill time. Take time to research the company so you are more likely to ask intelligent and thoughtful questions that reinforce your suitability as a candidate.
· What are the possibilities for development and progression?
· How is performance monitored?
· What will be my key priorities in the first few months of the job?