Research
Find out as much as you can about the company. Visit a similar site or part of the business, study company literature and check out the company website. The interviewer will rightly see your efforts as a sign of commitment. Make sure you obtain directions to get to the interview and plan your journey.
Your CV
Review your CV and make sure you have positive answers if the interviewer wants more detail on the information you supplied. Take another copy with you in case it’s required.
Job Description
Read the description carefully and think of ways in which your experience would benefit the company and where the challenges would lie for you.
Your Background
Think about how you can add value to this company – that is what they will be “buying” from you. Think about the skills required for the job and then your measurable achievements in each area, because this will be the evidence the interviewer will be looking for to tell them you can do the job.
Your Questions
Prepare the questions you want answered and ask them. Always ask open questions, e.g. Those beginning How? What? When? Why? Where? – this will encourage the interviewer to talk and provide you with extra information.
Consider asking the following if not already covered:
- How will you assess my performance?
- Why has the position become vacant?
- What are the long term opportunities for promotion?
- What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
- How does the role fit into the organisation as a whole?
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The Interview
Points to remember:
Presentation
First impressions last, the interviewer will expect to see your smartest, most professional side during this meeting.
Punctuality
Allow plenty of time, be punctual. If you do find yourself unavoidably delayed, notify the company immediately giving the reason and your estimated time of arrival.
Conduct
Ensure a firm handshake and smile on the first meeting and maintain a high level of eye contact throughout. Be alert and enthusiastic – it is often the candidate who has shown the most interest that will be successful.
Useful hints
Ask about career progression, but do not allow your enthusiasm for future roles to outweigh the current position on offer. Employers will not want to feel that they may lose you after six months of training. If you have any reservations about the role/company do NOT show them. You may later hear details that revive your interest, but by then your chance will have been lost. You can always turn down second interviews and job offers after you have had a chance to appraise them in the cold light of day.
It is best not to ask detailed questions about terms and conditions, these will be clarified at the offer stage. If the interviewer opens a discussion about salary, indicate a range rather than a specific salary so that your options remain open for negotiation at a later stage.
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