Interview Tips

You've applied for the job. Your details have impressed your prospective new employer and now you've been invited for interview. The main thing to remember is that the interview is a two way street. This is as much your opportunity to find out about the company and the role as it is for the company to find out about you.

Follow our simple steps in order to make the interview a positive experience for both sides.

Research your prospective employer
What the interviewer expects
Stages of the interview
Interview Sample Questions
After the Interview

Research your prospective employer

To effectively sell yourself as a job candidate, you need to be able to persuade the employer that you are a fit for that employer's needs. Even when the job market is great for job seekers, employers aren't going to interview and hire candidates who are not a match for their needs.

Make sure you invest time in educating yourself about what the company actually does and how well it does it. This is essential to a successful outcome. The most accessible means of gathering information is by:

Company annual reports
Company website
The internet
You can also call your prospective employer and request for information on their company such as brochures or marketing material.

In interviews, employers expect you to their company. If you don't, you look like you're not really interested in the job. You have to be able to answer the critical question of why you would like to work for that employer—and not sound like you would take any job.

Forward planning by researching helps you formulate intelligent and appropriate questions to ask in your interview.

What the interviewer expects

The interviewer will expect you to look smart and be appropriately dressed. It is better to be a little overdressed than a little underdressed.
Be prompt. Plan to arrive at least ten minutes early so that you can relax, gather your thoughts.
You might be feeling nervous or tense but try to look relaxed and offer a firm handshake.
Show enthusiasm for the job.
Sit when you are invited to do so and when asked questions give brief, honest answers elaborating when necessary.
Let the Interviewer talk and conduct the interview at his or her pace. Be patient and don't interrupt.
Take notes (remember your pen and paper).
Pause before answering questions. Consider your reply.
Be honest, and don’t be afraid to say ‘I don’t know’.
When the interview is nearing completion you will probably be asked if you have any questions. It is better to ask now than to go away and wish that you had.
When it is obvious that the interview is at an end, finish the way you started, with a smile, a firm handshake and say that you look forward to hearing from them.
Finally the most important consideration in an interview is to be yourself whilst at the same time presenting yourself in a positive light.

Stages of the interview

The following are a typical stages of an interview:

Stage One: Introductory
The interviewer will establish rapport and create a relaxed, though businesslike, atmosphere. This is where the interviewer gets the very important first impression of you.

Stage Two: Review of your background
This usually takes the form of "what," "why," "where," and "when" types of questions. Focus on what you are like, and what you have accomplished, your academic and work background, and your goals. One of the interviewer's objectives is to see if your qualifications match your declared work interests. Give concise but thorough responses to questions.

Stage Three: Matching
Assuming you have the necessary qualifications, the interviewer will begin the process of determining whether the employer's job opening match your qualifications and experience. If there seems to be a match, the interviewer will probably explain job details to see how interested you are in the position.

Stage Four: Conclusion
In this stage, the interviewer should explain what the next steps are in the hiring process. You may need to provide any additional information if requested. There should be ample opportunity for you at this point to ask any questions you have.

Interview sample questions

Not every interviewer will ask you every one of these questions. However, if you are prepared to address these questions, you will leave the impression that you were prepared for your job interview.

Interviewers will often ask for real life examples of how you have dealt with issues in a work situation so consider which examples you would wish to share. Below is a selection of common questions asked at an interview?

Why did you leave your previous jobs?
Give us a brief description of yourself and your current job.
What are some of the highlights of your current role?
In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our organisation?
What do you think are the skills that we require for this job?
Why should we employ you?
How do you feel working in a competitive environment?
Have you ever disagreed with your managers or peers?
What do you know about our company?
What interests you about our product or service?
Why do you want to work for us?
What are your short-range goals and objectives?
What are your long-range goals and objectives?
How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?
Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?
What are your strengths, weaknesses, and interests?
How do you determine or evaluate success?
Tell me about a challenging interpersonal relationship that you have had to manage in a work situation?
Describe a time when you have had to deal with a non-performing staff member.
Describe a contribution you have made to a project on which you worked.
What qualities should a successful manager possess?
Was there an occasion when you disagreed with a manager's decision or company policy? Describe how you handled the situation.
What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?
Do you have any questions? YES! You should always have questions!

After the interview

Lastly, and most importantly, call your consultant at Silver Fern Recruitment immediately after to provide your feedback on your interview. The consultant will want to speak with you prior to receiving a call from the interviewer.