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Home: Employment full menu
Preparing for interviews
Worklink - December 2006
zahir.daji@kirklees.gov.uk
1. As soon as you are invited to an interview, confirm with the company that you can attend, or if you are
unable to keep the appointment, arrange with them a mutually convenient time and date.
2. Find out as much as you can about the company, its products and it services. If it is a local company this
may be quite easy. If not you may have to do your research in the library / internet.
3. Read through a copy of your application to the company to refresh your memory.
4. List questions you may wish to ask about the company/job but never ask about money directly. Ask only 1 or
2 or 3 maximum. For example:
- Who will I report to?
- How will my performance be measured?
- What is the start date and contract term?
- Are there any opportunities for advancement?
- Will I receive any training?
- What hours will I work?
5. Prepare your interview techniques. Rehearse positive language and think of any awkward questions that may
be asked. Prepare your response and get someone to give his or her opinion on how it comes across.
Prepare in advance. You will feel much more confident if you do so.
On the day
- Attend every interview you are offered. There is always a chance of a job offer and you will develop your interview techniques through practice.
- Dress neatly, arrive early, and try to stay calm and be yourself.
- Smile when you meet the interviewer and shake hands if offered. Not a 'wet fish' handshake nor a 'tough champ', but firm and friendly. Let him/her feel you are confident but not overbearing.
- Do not sit down until the interviewer indicates you should. You may be invited to move to a different room to meet with someone else.
- Sit comfortably and try not to fidget. Do not slouch and sit like a dead parrot on a perch. You do not want to give the impression that you couldn't care less or that you are a complete nervous wreck.
- Listen attentively to the interviewer. Show a real interest in the company and its products and inform him/her of any relevant knowledge/experience you have.
- Speak clearly and with a sense of pride. Imagine a social occasion where you have been asked about the type of work you do and be truthful. Use your action words to describe yourself.
- Body language is vital, creating 56% of the impression – more than what you say or how you say it!
- Sound upbeat, enthusiastic/interested
- Sit upright/slightly forward
- Sort out hands
- Do not fold arms
- Make eye contact with each panel member
- Smile regularly
Examples of interview questions
Most interviewer's questions originate from the employee/person specification and/or the job description. These can
often be anticipated and should be prepared in advance.
Here is a list of other probing questions that are often asked at interview, and the reason behind each one.
- Tell me about yourself This is your opportunity to let them know your good points.
- Why have you stayed so long with one company? They want to know whether you were in a comfortable niche and whether you have drive and ambition.
- Why have you moved around so much? They are suspicious that you have not been able to hold onto any job for very long.
- What do you think of your last employer? They are testing your loyalties. Never criticise a previous employer.
- What attracted you to apply for this position? They want to know your relevant skills and enthusiasm for this type of work.
- Why do you think we should employ you? They want to know whether you can make a profitable contribution to the company.
- What other jobs you have applied for? They're testing your determination to find work and checking whether you are really interested in the type of work they have to offer.
- We are really looking for someone younger? Tell them of your experience, past training, work record, stability, etc that a younger person cannot offer.
- You do not seem to have a great deal of experience. Let them know that you are not set in your ways and have a fresh approach to work, that you are adaptable and learn quickly.
- Do you not think you are too experienced for this job? Let them know you are prepared to start again and prove your worth to a new employer.
- Are there any parts of the job with which you would have difficulty? If this is the case then you must let them know but it is best if you can indicate your eagerness to learn or, better still, that you have already taken steps to learn the skills required.
- Are you in good health? They are checking your attendance record and the likelihood of absences.
- What do you do in your spare time? Your personal interests give them a picture of the type of person you are.
- What do you know about us? They are checking your genuine interest in their company. That is why you should do your homework in finding out what you can say about them.
- Which parts of your job do you do best? They are checking your skills and abilities. Make sure you highlight areas from your background that are relevant to their current needs.
- What are your weaknesses? You must be honest but remember you can turn your weaknesses to your advantage. Confirm that you have learnt from your mistakes and that you take positive action to overcome personal weaknesses.
- What sort of worker are you? Use positive language and remember the key points you wanted to mention at interview.
- How do you feel about your redundancy? (if applicable) They want to know if you are bitter and resentful. Let them know that you are aware that businesses sometimes have to do these things to remain profitable and you are now looking to the future.
- What training have you had? They are testing what you have to offer and what investment your previous companies have made in you and perhaps what steps you've taken to develop yourself.
Study the questions carefully, think of some of your own and think how you may answer to your advantage – but be honest.
Remember SAS approach to answers/examples:
- Situation – describe the example
- Action – say what you did
- Success – tell successful result/outcome
Prepare 3-4 examples that you can use in your answers.
Further help
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