Banner

Connecting Candidates to Careers Submit Your CV Now

Interview Tips and Preparation

Be Easily Found – But In The Right Ways

  • Social Media: Don’t forget that what you put online might be found by a potential employer. Ensure all social media, such as Facebook is switched to “friends only”. Ensure any visible pictures (such as profile pictures, LinkedIn photo etc) – are professional.
  • Phone messages: Ensure that you have a polite voicemail recording asking the caller to leave a message. Make sure you have credit on your telephone to check all messages while looking for a new career opportunity.
  • Email: If you are currently employed have a private email address for all applications.

Preparation For the Interivew

Preparation is the first essential step towards a successful interview. Employers are forever amazed at the number of candidates who do not prepare themselves for interviews, possessing little or no information about the company and position for which they are being interviewed.

There are certain things that you SHOULD DO when in an interview and things you really should NEVER DO.

Interview ‘Do’ s

  • Be prepared. Research the company and understand the role.
  • Bring a spare copy of your CV. (Licenses, references or any other required documentation).
  • Prepare some key questions. Make sure they fit with the interview.
  • Look your best. Dress for the interview. Be smart, clean and professional.
  • Arrive a few minutes early. Late arrival is never excusable. Be polite to the receptionist
  • Know your CV. Be familiar with everything it says.
  • Greet the interviewer by his / her title & surname. If you are unsure of the name pronunciation, ask the interviewer to repeat it.
  • Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair and look alert and interested at all times.
  • Look the interviewer in the eye.
  • Follow the interviewer’s leads. Try, to obtain a description of the position and the duties it incorporates at an early stage, so that you can relay your background and skills accordingly.
  • Make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Bear in mind that only you can sell yourself and make the interviewer aware of the benefits that you can offer to the organisation.
  • Make sure you can describe your strengths.
  • Think before you speak. Take time to organise your thoughts.
  • Try and relax. SMILE!

Interview ‘Don'ts’

Some of these might seem obvious to you…. but read them again. It is amazing how many people slip up on one or more of these behaviours.

Things not to do

  • Don’t smoke prior to the interview.
  • Don’t chew gum, wear your sunglasses on your head
  • Don’t talk too much. Stick to the questions being asked and answer concisely.
  • Don’t answer questions with simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Explain yourself whenever possible.
  • Don’t lie. Answer questions truthfully and as close the point as possible.
  • Don’t make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.
  • Don’t interrupt the interviewer.
  • Don’t watch the clock. Make sure you have left enough time before your next appointment.
  • Don’t fidget, jiggle your legs, bite your nails, fiddle with your jewellery, or any other distracting gestures during the interview.
  • Don’t brag about your achievements. Talk about your achievement without coming across arrogant.
  • Don’t enquire about salary, holidays, bonuses etc at the initial interview, unless you are positive that the interviewer wants to hire you. You should, however, know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range.
  • Don’t burn your bridges. If the role is not for you don’t give a poor interview. You never know where that meeting will lead.
  • Don’t be afraid to let the interviewer know that you are genuinely interested in the role.
  • Don’t forget to thank the interviewer for their time!

Closing The Interview

Watch for non-verbal signs that the interview is finishing. Usually, just prior to the end of the interview, the interviewer may ask something like: ‘Do you have any further questions?’ If you say ‘no’, then you can assume the interview is nearly over.

Before leave it is critical you express your interest in the position. Asking for the role is daunting for many candidates, however, do not leave the interview without letting the interviewer know that you are interested and are keen to progress onto the next stage.

After The Interview

Call your consultant at Kings Recruitment straight after your interview and give them your feedback. Keeping us informed helps us to make sure the process moves along effectively.