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Interview Techniques and the Interview
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Interview Techniques
The purpose of an interview is to get a Job Offer.
To turn an interview into a success demands preparation.
You are only in control once you have that Job Offer, until then you are simply a candidate.
Do not even contemplate going for an interview unless you are fully prepared.
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Research your prospective company
Most companies have a presence on the World Wide Web - go there. Normally, you can gain important information with respect to a company's ethos, background, services and values. You will probably also find out who are the "kingpins" within the organisation.
Make a phone call to the company and ask for some promotional material and possibly the company's yearly report. Most companies will be happy to send you as many glossies as you require. If you are worried about blowing your cover, pretend to be a graduate doing research, or have the information sent to a trustworthy friend.
If you are already in the industry then there are probably colleagues or friends that might know something or someone connected to your prospective employers. You will never know if you don't ask.
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Research yourself
You must know your CV inside out - you would be amazed at the number of candidates going into an interview situation without having read their CV.
This is a recipe for disaster. Most interviewers will either read from your CV during the interview or will have prepared for the interview with questions based on information that they have got from your CV.
The interviewer could ask what your main responsibilities were for a previous job - if you sit there and cannot remember what you wrote on your CV the interviewer is either going to think that you have not prepared or your CV is not true!
When doing the research on yourself, identifying your experience and skills is important, but it is not all that you need to know. Consider the answers to other questions such as:
How have I demonstrated the skills required for this position?
What are my strongest points?
What are my weakest points?
What are my short and long-term goals?
What can I offer this particular employer?
What kind of environment do I like? (i.e. how do I like to be supervised? Do I like a fast pace?)
What do I like doing?
Apart from my skills and experience, what can I bring to this job?
Remember to always take extra copies of your CV to the interview.
The interviewer may have mislaid their copy or you may have
more than one interviewer.
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The Interview
The old adage is true…
"You only get one chance to make a first impression"
Make sure that you are always positive, friendly and alert. When meeting the interviewer give a decent handshake. Be firm but do not crush the interviewer's fingers - they will not appreciate it.
Always be aware of your body language and manner. It is equally important to be aware of the interviewer's mannerisms as well as your own. If your interviewer speaks in a slow and methodical manner, do not rush your answers, but take your time and be as clear and concise as possible. You can follow up your answers with examples of your achievements.
Don't worry if you are asked about skills you do not yet possess. If you have been called for an interview the interviewer already believes that you have potential to do the job.
If this type of question is asked you should stress your ability to quickly learn and adapt. Give real examples. Never ever lie about skills you do not possess - you will be caught out.
You will be asked, "Why do you want to leave you current employer?" Do not say "more money". Never badmouth your current employer; employers do speak to one another. It is far more positive to stress your need to further develop your career, skills, experience and responsibilities.
It is extremely important to prepare your questions before the interview. This will reveal a greater level of interest in the job, and also indicate that you have given serious thought to the job. The interview may raise questions you have not thought of and it is quite acceptable to ask these. It is also acceptable to inquire about the next stage of the interview process or decision dates.
Finally - relax and try not to worry about your interview. You should try to stay as composed as possible. Interviewers realise that many interviewees will be nervous at their interview, but most will try to put you at ease to get the best from you as it is in their interest to do so, in order to best find out about your qualities.
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Here are 10 reminders of things you must not do before or during your interview.
Lack of Preparation
Once the interview is scheduled, do your best to get ready for it. Find out as much as you can about the interviewer(s): investigate the company, their business, and the position for which you're interviewing. Prepare for the questions they're likely to ask you, as well as the questions you would like to ask them. Formulate an objective, e.g., getting a job offer and learning enough about the company and their people to enable you to decide whether you want to work there.
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Arriving Late
On the day of the interview, leave enough margin of error to avoid any possibility of being late. Check that you know where the interview is being held and how you are going to get there. Do a dummy run the day before just to make sure. Don't forget about parking, as you can't waste time looking for a space. No one will ever remember your excuse for being late but they will remember that you were late. If you are held up en-route then make a telephone call to the interviewers office giving a realistic time of arrival.
Whatever happens, if you are late always remember to apologise.
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Lack of Confidence
Here are some questions that you should ask yourself and always be able to answer YES to…
Do I feel confident of my ability to meet all the responsibilities that will be entrusted to me?
Can I really do that job?
Do I have enough knowledge and experience to get the respect I need?
Would I take on someone like me?
If you find yourself unsure about any of those questions you need to learn to appear as competent and confident as you would like to be (and want others to believe you are).
Feeling confident doesn't automatically make you competent, but it does create an atmosphere that is conducive to success.
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Bad Attitude
You may as well give up now if you have a bad attitude. The only way to approach an interview is with enthusiasm and an open mind.
Everyone you meet at an interview must be treated with politeness and courtesy. You may decide that you do not want the job halfway into the interview. If this happens, just continue through in a professional manner.
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Read the Interview
There are two types of interview, both with different purposes.
Someone from the personnel department normally hosts the first type of interview. They are interviewing you to ensure it is in both your and the company's interests to move forward to the next stage. They are there to make sure that you have accurately represented yourself in your job application and/or CV.
If you have this type of interview remember the following:
Answer their questions as clearly and accurately as you can
Don't say more than you need to
They are there to decide whether you get through to the next stage.
A decision-maker hosts the other type of interview, either as a follow on from a first interview or as the first interview. They will need to feel comfortable with you and ascertain that you can do the job. Now is the time to turn on the charm, discuss more personal interests, and talk shop.
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Inconsistency
A professional interviewer will always pick up on inconsistencies, hesitations, and uncertainties. They will probably challenge something you say, just to see how you respond.
If they pick up that you are backing off, changing, justifying, qualifying, over-explaining, or retracting what you said earlier, it's possible that they suspect you have exaggerated something or even that you have lied to them. If the interviewer responds to one of your answers with a sceptical look, a pause, or a comment like "Did you really?" you've got to keep your cool and wait for them to continue.
In this situation you may begin to feel uncomfortable. If that's the case, break the atmosphere by asking a question to the interviewer, maybe something like…
"Would you like me to add some clarification to my answer?"
"Is there anything else you wanted to know that I may have left out?"
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Failing to Listen
The successful interviewee reads the interviewer's tone and gestures and responds accordingly. This means paying attention, and knowing when to continue, change direction, or stop talking. Avoid potentially controversial and overly personal issues.
When you see their attention lagging, change the topic or, better yet, ask a question. Don't get carried away with the sound of your own voice though. Pay attention to the interviewer's questions and line of conversation. Bear in mind that what they want to hear is more important than what you may want to say.
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Losing Your Cool
If you are being interviewed for a high-level or high-pressure position, you may be subjected to a pressure interview. This can take the form of:
A last minute change from a "one to one" interview to a "panel" interview
Making you wait an excessive amount of time
Constant interview interruptions
Inappropriate personal questions
Hostility and rudeness
You will probably never be subjected to any of these dirty tricks. Just remember that some of them may occur unintentionally.
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Negotiation
If you get the offer, at some point you will have to negotiate your remuneration package and any other benefits. Make sure that the terms of your employment, including responsibilities, reviews, and related conditions are defined and that you have a clear idea of what is expected of you. Don't commit yourself to a salary or conditions that will make you unhappy.
Once you have agreed to the job package it is extremely difficult and unprofessional to go back and try to change details.
Be sure what you want when you begin, and be sure what you have got when you have finished.
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