yankees
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2005
- Messages
- 297
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Find out about the company:
• What are its products or services?
• What size is it?
• Who are its competitors?
You may wish to do some personal research.
Ask for a job description before the interview to find out which of your skills and qualifications are relevant to the company. This will help you to prepare specifically for this job.
- Find out about the structure of the interview.
Most interviews follow a similar format:
1. Questions based on your CV to explain your career path and ambitions
• Pick out your skills or achievements that are directly relevant, and rehearse these
• Be prepared to explain any unusual parts of your CV, such as any time taken out from employment or education
2. General questions about you
• How much do you know about the job?
• What interests you about the job?
• What skills or experience do you have that make you right for this job?
• Why did you leave your last company?
• What interests you about this company?
• When have you had an opportunity to show initiative?
• Who and what were you responsible for in your last job?
• Can you give an example of when you coped well under pressure?
• Do you prefer to work as an individual or as part of a team?
• What are your three biggest achievements so far in your career?
• What do you see as your good and bad characteristics?
• What are your long term goals? How are you going to succeed in achieving them?
• Tell me more about your hobbies and interests?
• Are you considering any other jobs?
3. Telling you about the company and position
• Which department the vacancy is in, and how that fits into the company
• Who you would be working for and with
4. Your questions
• Asking relevant questions shows you are interested, organised and able to plan ahead
• Salary and benefits are important, but an employer will be more impressed if you ask questions about the company, the department and the job first
• Good questions to ask are about training opportunities, who you will report to, who you will be working with, promotion prospects, what the working hours are and if there are peak periods when you will be expected to work longer hours
5. Informing you of the next stage of the process and when you will hear if you have been successful
• Whether there is a second or third round of interviews
Find out about the details of the interview
- What is the date, time and location?
Allow plenty of time for the journey and aim to arrive at least ten minutes early. If you are held up, phone ahead and let them know. Do a trial run at getting there if necessary, and don't forget to check timetables or parking availability.
- Who will be interviewing you?
Be prepared for the possibility of a panel interview. In a panel interview, answer questions looking from one interviewer to another.
- How should you dress?
First impressions are important! Dress suitably for the company, and don't overdo your makeup, jewellery and perfume or aftershave. Hair should be clean and tidy. Take just one neat bag or briefcase with you. Be smart and clean, but make sure you are wearing something you are comfortable in. It is best to wear a slightly different outfit for a second interview at the same company, but do be as smart.
- What should you take?
A copy of your current CV (see the Amber Personnel information on CV advice - PM me if you want this) and all relevant certificates and references. A notepad and pen may also be handy, along with a few questions to ask the interviewer.
- Ensure your personal safety
• Make sure you are happy with the credentials of the recruiting company
• If the interview is not held at the employer's office, ensure it is in a public place e.g. a hotel foyer
• Make sure that someone knows where you are being interviewed
• Make sure you have transport home arranged - do not accept a lift
DURING THE INTERVIEW
- How to behave
• Shake the interviewer's hand firmly if he/she offers
• Take the lead from the interviewer - note whether their attitude is formal or relaxed
• Make eye contact (but don't stare!)
• Smile where appropriate
• Don't sit down until you are asked
• Look alert and sit upright
• Rest your hands on the table or on your lap to look calm and prevent fiddling
• Don't eat or smoke even if invited, but do accept a coffee, tea or water if you want to
- Answering questions
• Listen carefully and concentrate, and don't interrupt
• Show interest
• Talk slowly and clearly
• Keep your answers clear and to the point and avoid talking for too long
• Take time if necessary before answering a question or ask for clarification if you are unsure of the meaning
• Don't be afraid to admit if you can't answer the question
• Don't criticise your current employer, or reveal confidential information
• Be honest
• Find opportunities to sell yourself, relating your skills to the job. An employer is looking for determination, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn
• Concentrate on positive words, such as "enjoy" and "enthusiastic"
- Asking questions
• Make questions relevant
• Show that you have researched the company
• Ask about training and who you will be working with
• Leave questions about salary and benefits until a later stage of interviewing
• Ask when you will be given a decision
When the interview ends, do say if you haven't had the opportunity to put a point across or to ask a question. Say if you are interested in the job and thank the interviewer for seeing you.
- After the interview
If the interview does not create a job offer, do not be too disappointed. It is excellent experience for the future and it will help you to build on your interview technique.
• What are its products or services?
• What size is it?
• Who are its competitors?
You may wish to do some personal research.
Ask for a job description before the interview to find out which of your skills and qualifications are relevant to the company. This will help you to prepare specifically for this job.
- Find out about the structure of the interview.
Most interviews follow a similar format:
1. Questions based on your CV to explain your career path and ambitions
• Pick out your skills or achievements that are directly relevant, and rehearse these
• Be prepared to explain any unusual parts of your CV, such as any time taken out from employment or education
2. General questions about you
• How much do you know about the job?
• What interests you about the job?
• What skills or experience do you have that make you right for this job?
• Why did you leave your last company?
• What interests you about this company?
• When have you had an opportunity to show initiative?
• Who and what were you responsible for in your last job?
• Can you give an example of when you coped well under pressure?
• Do you prefer to work as an individual or as part of a team?
• What are your three biggest achievements so far in your career?
• What do you see as your good and bad characteristics?
• What are your long term goals? How are you going to succeed in achieving them?
• Tell me more about your hobbies and interests?
• Are you considering any other jobs?
3. Telling you about the company and position
• Which department the vacancy is in, and how that fits into the company
• Who you would be working for and with
4. Your questions
• Asking relevant questions shows you are interested, organised and able to plan ahead
• Salary and benefits are important, but an employer will be more impressed if you ask questions about the company, the department and the job first
• Good questions to ask are about training opportunities, who you will report to, who you will be working with, promotion prospects, what the working hours are and if there are peak periods when you will be expected to work longer hours
5. Informing you of the next stage of the process and when you will hear if you have been successful
• Whether there is a second or third round of interviews
Find out about the details of the interview
- What is the date, time and location?
Allow plenty of time for the journey and aim to arrive at least ten minutes early. If you are held up, phone ahead and let them know. Do a trial run at getting there if necessary, and don't forget to check timetables or parking availability.
- Who will be interviewing you?
Be prepared for the possibility of a panel interview. In a panel interview, answer questions looking from one interviewer to another.
- How should you dress?
First impressions are important! Dress suitably for the company, and don't overdo your makeup, jewellery and perfume or aftershave. Hair should be clean and tidy. Take just one neat bag or briefcase with you. Be smart and clean, but make sure you are wearing something you are comfortable in. It is best to wear a slightly different outfit for a second interview at the same company, but do be as smart.
- What should you take?
A copy of your current CV (see the Amber Personnel information on CV advice - PM me if you want this) and all relevant certificates and references. A notepad and pen may also be handy, along with a few questions to ask the interviewer.
- Ensure your personal safety
• Make sure you are happy with the credentials of the recruiting company
• If the interview is not held at the employer's office, ensure it is in a public place e.g. a hotel foyer
• Make sure that someone knows where you are being interviewed
• Make sure you have transport home arranged - do not accept a lift
DURING THE INTERVIEW
- How to behave
• Shake the interviewer's hand firmly if he/she offers
• Take the lead from the interviewer - note whether their attitude is formal or relaxed
• Make eye contact (but don't stare!)
• Smile where appropriate
• Don't sit down until you are asked
• Look alert and sit upright
• Rest your hands on the table or on your lap to look calm and prevent fiddling
• Don't eat or smoke even if invited, but do accept a coffee, tea or water if you want to
- Answering questions
• Listen carefully and concentrate, and don't interrupt
• Show interest
• Talk slowly and clearly
• Keep your answers clear and to the point and avoid talking for too long
• Take time if necessary before answering a question or ask for clarification if you are unsure of the meaning
• Don't be afraid to admit if you can't answer the question
• Don't criticise your current employer, or reveal confidential information
• Be honest
• Find opportunities to sell yourself, relating your skills to the job. An employer is looking for determination, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn
• Concentrate on positive words, such as "enjoy" and "enthusiastic"
- Asking questions
• Make questions relevant
• Show that you have researched the company
• Ask about training and who you will be working with
• Leave questions about salary and benefits until a later stage of interviewing
• Ask when you will be given a decision
When the interview ends, do say if you haven't had the opportunity to put a point across or to ask a question. Say if you are interested in the job and thank the interviewer for seeing you.
- After the interview
If the interview does not create a job offer, do not be too disappointed. It is excellent experience for the future and it will help you to build on your interview technique.