Interview Hints and Tips

Interviews - get the most out of them!

Preparation

Research the organisation - The more you know about the organisation the more you'll impress your interviewer. You must know what the organisation does, their size, and you should also know all about your potential role and what the function is of the department you are being considered for.

Arrive 10 minutes early

It is very unnerving if you are running late for an interview. Arriving late all hot and bothered will cloud your mind and affect your interview performance. Please allow extra time for delays on the tubes/buses/roads. If for any reason you are running late or unable to attend an interview, please telephone your consultant immediately who can let the client know.

Presentation

Our clients will expect all candidates to be well presented and professional. Candidates should be smart and should wear a business suit. This is vitally important as first impressions really do count.

First impressions

When meeting potential employers it's important to remember that first impressions do make a difference. A firm handshake together with your verbal and non verbal communication is critical to creating a professional image.

Disregard how you may be feeling about the particular job you are applying for. Go to the interview with the view that you are going to be offered the role! This will ensure a confident approach.

Format of the Interview

The approach of interviewers will vary but ultimately they will all be trying to achieve the same goal and that is to find out if you are suited for the needs of the job. Some interviews will be more structured and questions will be focused around situations that you may have found yourself in and how you dealt with them.

Some typical examples may be as follows:

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult individual or situation. What was the situation and how did you deal with it? Tell me about a time when you had to juggle a number of conflicting priorities. What were they and what was the end result? Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team to achieve results Tell me about one of your major achievements. What was it and what was the benefit to your organisation? Always be prepared for the 'strengths and weaknesses' questions. This often features in this type of interview.

Concluding the interview

Make sure you have some questions about the job or the organisation.

The interview is a two way process, and you need to be sure that the role is right for you.

Try to focus on relevant issues that apply to you. This will help you develop a stronger understanding of the job. At the end of your interview make sure you thank the client, express your interest in the job, and contact us with interview feedback as soon as possible.