Preparing For An Interview

In a very competitive market, we want to ensure that candidates are able to confidently sell themselves in an interview to have the best chance at getting an offer. Whether you are going for an interview via a recruitment agency, or directly with an employer, we firmly believe that preparation is the key to success. From researching the company, to deciding what to wear, spending time on interview preparation is essential if you want to secure a job offer over your competitors in the interview process.

Types of Interviews

There are several types of interviews that you could be required to prepare for. In some cases, clients may only do one interview before making an offer, but more often than not, candidates should expect at least two interviews before a decision is made.

• Face-to face - This is the most common form of interview. Generally based at the employer's office, you would be questioned on your suitability for the job by an individual or panel of interviewers, depending on the level of the position. Face-to-face interviews usually last between 45 minutes and two hours and include competency and / or strengths based questions, and may also include testing or tasks for you to complete.
• Telephone - Not all clients conduct telephone interviews as part of their recruitment process, but it can be a useful and more time efficient way for a client to assess a candidate's strengths and communication skills over the phone, and for the candidate to get an idea of the company and expectations of the position for themselves too. Telephone interviews generally last between 15 to 20 minutes.
• Skype or Video - This is becoming more popular with employers who may be recruiting for sites further afield, or are looking to employ someone who would be relocating to the area. It gives both parties an opportunity to see what they can expect, without having to take time out of work to travel.
• Assessment Centres - This enables employers to compare the performance of lots of candidates at the same time. Candidates would attend an assessment centre with a group of other applicants and complete tasks such as presentations, team exercises and even psychometric tests. Assessment centres usually last a full working day.
• Peer Interviews - This is often one of the final stages to the interview process. Peer interviews are a great way for candidates to meet the team they would be working with and have the opportunity to learn more about the position and / or company from someone doing the job.

Interview Research

Your performance in an interview largely depends on how well you prepare, so please don't leave this until the last minute! In the days leading up to the interview, we encourage you to focus your research on the following: -

The Employer

You need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the business beyond the basics that anyone can recite from a quick view of the website. Look through company successes, awards, recently completed projects, etc. Prepare some questions that show your genuine interest in the company, as well as the position you are interviewing for.

Questions about the company could include: -

• Who are the biggest competitors?
• What challenges does the business face?
• What is the company's culture and values?
• How long have the team (more specific to the position) been in place?

The Job Description

Ensure that you read the job description and can demonstrate relevant experience gained from your current or even past positions. It is vital that you can explain why you want the job, that you understand the role, and even more importantly, why the employer should choose you over other candidates.

The Interview Panel

Find out who is going to be conducting the interview. Use LinkedIn and the 'About Us' section of the company website to find out more about the interviewer(s) and their professional interests and experience. This may help you to connect with your interviewer(s) and creative a positive impression during the interview.

Questions

Consider how you'll answer common interview questions, as well as preparing some questions about the position that you would like to ask the interviewer as well. Please remember that whilst an interviewer will be assessing your suitability, this is also a chance for you to establish if you could see yourself fitting into the organisation as well. It is a two way street!

Examples of questions you may be asked could include: -

• Can you tell me more about yourself?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• How do you prioritise your work?
• What can you bring to the position and / or the team?
• What has been your greatest achievement?
• Give us an example of when you have had to overcome a challenging situation?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

Examples of questions you could ask the interviewer: -

• Can you tell me more about the day to day responsibilities of the position?
• Are there any training or progression opportunities?
• How many people are in the team and can you tell me more about the team?
• Why has the position become available?
• Who would I report to on a daily basis?
• What would the first three months in the role involve?
• What are the opportunities or challenges facing the department / company?
• What are the working hours?

Practical Planning

Whilst it is important for you to have researched the company, you also need to think of other practicalities as well.

• Know the Location - Do a route plan prior to your interview. If time allows, do a quick drive around to make sure that you are familiar with the area, where to park and if there could be potential delays or roadworks that may delay your journey! If you are using public transport, ensure that you have checked the timetables and routes for this.
• Eat Before You Leave - It sounds crazy, but if you are unsure of how long you are likely to be in the interview, you don’t want to be distracted by hunger pains - and if you are nervous - interviewing on an empty stomach may hinder you!
• What to Take - If you are going for an interview through a recruiter, ensure that you know what version of your CV the interviewer has been sent. At Collaborate Recruitment, we always send a CV without contact details and include an in depth profile on our candidates, in addition to any other important information that the interviewer may need to know. You don't want to arrive with a completely different version of this! If you have applied for the role directly, take a copy of your CV, with clearly noted contact details.

You may also want to take: -

• A pen and notebook
• Your academic certificates and / or work examples if requested
• Money for transport or parking in case you have to pay to park. Always pay for an extra hour, just in case!

What to Wear

Whilst many employers still expect candidates to dress smartly, a growing number encourage more casual wear at work, making it trickier than ever to choose an interview outfit. What you'll be expected to wear depends on factors such as the size of the company, the industry it operates in and the culture it promotes. For example, a small creative agency may have different standards to a major accountancy firm.

If you're unsure on the dress code, you may be able to ask beforehand. The key point to remember is that it's much better to be too smart than too casual. Only opt for a more casual outfit if you're absolutely certain that it's acceptable. If there is any doubt, always go for smart business attire. Whatever you choose, make sure that your clothes are ironed, your shoes are clean and, of course, that your hair is clean too.

Making a Good Impression

As you prepare for the interview, think about ways you can demonstrate yourself in a positive light without openly blowing your own trumpet and reeling off a dozen personal strengths. Subtlety is often more powerful.

• Punctuality - Arriving late will increase your stress levels and give the employer a bad first impression, so do your best to arrive in good time. We normally suggest parking up ten minutes prior to the interview and heading in with five minutes to spare.
• Positivity and Enthusiasm - Be polite and professional with any staff you meet before or after the interview and, if you're feeling particularly nervous, remind yourself that it is a two way street and it’s not just about you selling yourself to the interviewer. During the interview, respond to questions with positive statements, be enthusiastic about the job and avoid badmouthing your previous employers or colleagues.
• Body language - Give a firm handshake to your interviewer(s) before and after the interview and acknowledge them by name. This often helps you remember their names too! Once you're seated, sit naturally without slouching in your chair or leaning on the desk. Throughout the interview, remember to smile frequently and retain eye contact at all times.
• Clarity - Answer all questions clearly and concisely, evidencing your relevant skills, experiences and achievements. It's perfectly acceptable to pause before answering a difficult question to give yourself thinking time, or to ask for clarification if you're unsure what a question means. When answering, don't speak too quickly or waffle on too much.

After the Interview

As your job interview comes to an end, ask when you'll be informed of the outcome and thank the interviewer(s) for giving you the chance to attend, reiterating your interest in the opportunity to work for them. If you attended the interview via a recruitment agency, contact them straight away to give them your feedback and thoughts whilst the interview is still fresh in your mind. Alternatively, we would encourage you to write down some of the questions that were asked and how you answered them. This will help you be better prepared for any future interviews with the company or for any other companies.

The Outcome

Whilst preparation may give you an advantage, it won't automatically guarantee you a job offer. If you are offered the position, ensure that you know what's on offer, before accepting the position. If you are required to hand in your notice before starting a new position, ensure that you have the offer in writing from the new employer, before you hand in your notice. Ensure that you are open and honest about any pre-booked holidays or time off, so that this is taken into account before you start. If you are not offered the position, always ask for feedback. Whilst it is hard to accept rejection initially, constructive feedback can help you be more prepared for future interviews.

If you have found this article useful, are looking for your next position or to recruit for your team, please feel free to contact Joy Bruce phone on 07469 706432, or via email to hello@collaboraterec.com.