Interview Techniques

The kinds of jobs you will find on the GJS website will be largely from local employers with small to medium sized businesses. Local employers have told us that they look for people that can ‘muck in’ and ‘do whatever needs to be done’ to help the business. It is also really important that you are able to show that you can be part of a team.

Small businesses look for people that have this attitude and enthusiasm for their business as often it is ‘all hands to the deck’ during busy periods.

Whatever the size of company you are being interviewed for it is important to follow the advice below to ensure you get the job.

Preparing for interviews

Confirm your attendance at interview by telephone, e-mail or by letter. Make sure that you know how to get to the interview and how long it will take to get there. Make your travel arrangements well in advance, allowing plenty of time for delays.

Use Multimap to help plan your route.

Find out as much as you can about:

a) The interview:

• how long is it likely to last
• how many people are interviewing
• whether it will incorporate any other tests, eg written, psychometric etc.

Some interviews are heavily based around your application form/CV. Make sure you know this inside out. Prepare more examples in addition to those on your application.

b) The opportunity and the selection criteria.

• re-read the job description/person specification 
• remind yourself of what skills, abilities and aptitudes the employer is seeking.
• be clear idea about why you are interested in the area of work.

c) The organisation

• search the organisation’s website.
• read the company brochures, annual and financial reports.
• look at newspaper articles and trade journals in libraries.

d) Your questions

• It is likely at some point in the interview you will be asked if you have any questions about the position / company
• Don't bamboozle the interviewer with too many questions
• Prepare a couple of well thought out questions on a piece of paper so you can refer to them

 e) Use    xxxxxx        to improve your interview techniques

How to behave when you get there

First impressions matter. Always arrive on time, preferably early to give yourself time to calm down, go to the toilet etc. Dress appropriately, as if you already worked for them. Be pleasant to everyone. The interview starts as soon as you reach the company. Other staff may be asked for their opinion of you. Body language: firm handshakes, smile, make eye contact, be attentive, don’t fidget. Eye contact is the strongest of all visual signals so the candidate who looks directly and often at the interviewer is remembered more positively than one who does not. Give out positive signals - smiling and nodding the head when the interviewer is talking, leaning forward slightly when listening and replying. Sit comfortably. Angle your chair so that you can see all the interviewers.

Interview formats

Interviews can come at any stage in the selection process and can take many forms. You may be interviewed on a one-to-one basis by a personnel manager or someone from the relevant department.

You could face more than one interviewer. You may be interviewed at the employer’s premises, in a hotel, or possibly over the telephone.

Telephone interviews these are used by some companies as an integral part of the recruitment process. Most commonly they are used as a method of initial screening. The majority of companies inform you in advance and usually pre-arrange a time with you, but be prepared for those who just ring! (link to more on telephone interviews)

One-to-one interviews this is a meeting between the candidate and one interviewer and is often used at first interview stage.

Panel interviews numbers on a panel can vary. You can’t talk to all of them at once. Concentrate on giving your answer to the person who asked you the question, but include the others with an occasional glance.

Competence-based interviews some recruiters try to give every candidate the same chance by asking them all the same questions. Always answer the questions asked, but be ready to volunteer extra relevant information.

 What to expect

Most of the questions asked at interviews fall into three basic categories:

Can this person do the job? This is about your skills and experience and what you have done in the past.

Will this person do the job? This is about your personality/temperament and your working styles.

Will this person fit in? This is about your values and beliefs: will they match up against those of the organisation and will you fit into the team.

Every question will have a purpose.

You need to be able to assess the reason for the question, the most appropriate answer and how to reply positively. The interviewer will be interested in what you can do for them.

Some typical questions

• Why have you applied for this job?
• Why are you interested in this organisation?
• Why do you think you are suitable?
• Why did you choose to study your subject?
• Why did you choose your university for study?
• What has been you biggest challenge whilst you have been at university?
• What are your strengths/weaknesses?
• Where would you like to be in 5 years time?

Interview checklist

Do:

• Research the organisation and the job thoroughly.
• Act and appear professional.
• Adapt your skills to the needs of the organisation.
• Sell your achievements positively.
• Be positive, friendly, polite, confident and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job.
• Listen to why the question is being asked.
• Ask questions which show you have done your homework.
• Don’t forget to bring a portfolio of your work if appropriate
• Don’t ask questions about the salary of the position. If the company is interested in employing you this is something that can be negotiated at a later date.

After the interview

As soon as possible, make notes on what you think went well/badly

Reflect on how you could improve your performance

Contact the organisation to ask for feedback

See whether the assessors’ evaluation matches your own and there may be areas you can improve for the next time

For further information, please click on the following link: Interview Techniques