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One-on-one interview
To get to this stage
you would have succeeded in qualifying the preliminary screening processes.
The selection process will have been narrowed down and the company has
recognised you as an attractive prospect. Usually this interview will
be carried out by department supervisor, but sometimes with human resources
personnel. Be prepared to talk about yourself in detail, why you want
the job, and what you can contribute to the company.
In advance of the
interview carry out research into what the company do, and think of
some questions you want to ask. Do
not volunteer information that the interviewer doesn't ask for.
Tips: You
want them to want you on their team, therefore you have to impress them
with your personality, your qualifications and your career ambition.
Dress conservatively to impress and arrive punctually, be chatty with
plenty of eye contact. Establish a rapport with the interviewer.
Lunch
interview
A interview over
lunch will be more casual than in an office, however do not let down
your guard. Make your life easier by not ordering messy food and order
something that is a similar price range to the others in attendance.
The decision whether to smoke or drink alcohol should be based upon
the location and what the interviewer is doing.
Tips: Follow
the lead of the interviewer in behaviour, tone and ordering.
Screening
interview
A brief meeting with
the company used by them to weed out unqualified and uninterested candidates.
Screening interviews occur if there is a huge number of job applicants,
however on the whole candidates are rarely asked to attend them. Interviewers
are usually human resource professionals and the format is usually that
of straight questions and answers.
Tips: Confirm
to the interviewer what they have already read in your CV, do not deviate
from the truth. Providing facts is more important than building a raport.
Telephone
interview
Sometimes if a candidate
lives a great distance from the offices of the company then it may not
be practical to attend preliminary interviews in person. In this case
an interview can be conducted on the telephone. Alternatively some companies
use telephone interviews as a screening process to eliminate the weaker
candidates early on. A telephone interview is not to be treated as an
easier option, it should be conducted in an equally professional manner
as a standard interview and the same rules apply. The only difference
is that your body language no longer applies.
Do not let the interviewer
totally lead the conversation, if it is appropriate push for a face
to face meeting saying something like "I would appreciate an opportunity
to meet with you in person so we can both better evaluate each other.
I am free either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. Which would
be better for you?"
How to behave:
Speak in a clear voice, answer the interviewers questions precisely
and try to elaborate without talking too much, exude controlled professionalism.
Group
interview
Often group interviews
are used to introduce the company and describe the job to an assembled
audience of candidates. As this form of interview is not one-on-one
there is not so much pressure on an individual candidate, however the
aim is to stand out from the crowd and be noticed.
Tips:
Ask questions speak to company personnel afterwards to establish a brief
rapport.
Committee/Panel
interview
Companies
use this method when hiring for advanced positions or if they are just
feeling nasty. During committee interviews candidates are questioned
by several company personnel at once, this can be daunting but try to
keep cool. Be sure to impress all of the interviewers, do not cater
to just what one or two want to hear.
Tips: When
an interviewer addresses you with a question, respond to the person
that asked that question, while being conscious of how the others will
interpret what you are saying.
Deliberate
attempts to unnerve you
Interviewers may
try to test your nerve to see how you handle yourself under pressure.
The interview may start out in a relaxed fashion with standard questions
being posed, then the interviewer may change tack to launch into a hostile
assault, for example "So you failed your A-levels, what makes you think
you can handle the pace at our company?" You should be prepared for
this and when it comes don't take it personally. Calmly answer each
question as it comes.
General
preparation before any interview
- Carry out research
into the company, know what it's products are, its size, income, reputation,
image, goals, problems. How many people do they employ and what is
the company philosophy? Know the companies origins, is it a family
company, where and when was it established?
- Study any recent
press cuttings about the company, and try to slip your up to date
knowledge into conversation.
- You may like
to practice your responses to some of the more common interview questions,
and prepare a list yourself of questions that you want to ask.
- Prepare your
interview resources before the day, you will need to take a couple
of copies of your CV, a reference list, and if possible some examples
of work you have done in the past.
- Dress professionally,
even if you are going for an interview at a funky Dot Com company
you should still portray a smart business image. It is recommended
that both men and women wear a suit and sensible shoes. Women wear
a moderate amount of makeup and simple jewellery. Men should be clean
shaven with a conservative tie and ironed shirt.
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