The interview should be a learning experience, whether or not you are offered the role. A positive mental attitude is of paramount importance, as is planning. The following tips may help you to hone your interview technique.
Before the interview:
- Use the company’s website and advertising to learn as much as you can about its culture. Further information can be obtained from the company’s annual reports and the Stock Exchange. Your consultant at Absolute Consulting will also be able to provide you with details of the role.
- Polish your resume, being sure to highlight the skills you have that match the job requirements.
- Prepare the questions you want to ask and anticipate the questions you will be asked by the interviewer. (Sample interview questions are provided below.)
- Plan your trip to the interview and arrive five to ten minutes early, not earlier, but definitely not late.
- Make a good first impression by wearing your smartest suit. Turn off your mobile telephone, remove sunglasses and get rid of chewing gum, food and drink.
During the interview:
- Reception: Smile and walk confidently to the reception desk. Introduce yourself and explain who you are meeting. You may be asked to take a seat and wait. It is a good idea to be seen reading the company information available in reception – and it may help you focus.
- Greeting: When met by the interviewer or whoever is taking you to meet the interviewer, stand, go forward, smile and shake hands firmly but not tightly. Enter into polite conversation as you walk along to the interview room, but be careful not to be too informal.
- Body language: Wait to be asked to sit, sit comfortably, but do not slouch. Do not fidget, twiddle your thumbs or play with your pen. This shows you are nervous. Instead, maintain a good level of eye contact and show interest in what the interviewer is saying.
- Think before you speak: Listen. Take time to construct your answers so that you don’t waffle. This is where your research and preparation benefit you the most. If you have already anticipated the question, you should be more confident giving an appropriate answer. If you don’t understand the question, ask the interviewer to clarify. This is far better than going off at a tangent and giving a completely inappropriate answer.
- Positive statements: Never say negative things about previous employers-it is highly unprofessional and reflects very badly on you. Instead, be positive about your future and the benefits you can bring to the company. Show your motivation and willingness to learn and to be a part of the team. Be assertive without being aggressive or arrogant.
- Interviewer questions: During the interview, you will be asked to demonstrate your suitability for the job. Give appropriate, relevant answers. Why have you been asked this particular question? What information is being sought?
- Your own questions: The interview is a two-way process. Ask your own questions but make sure they are relevant to the role and the company. The questions you ask tell the interviewer more about you than some of the answers you give, so phrase them in a positive manner such as, ‘Are you quite a social company?’ and ‘Does the team go out together?’.
- Salary: Do not bring up the issue of money at this stage unless the interviewer asks you about it.
Commonly Asked Questions:
Q. Tell me about yourself.
The interviewer wants you to open up. Describe your qualifications, career history and range of skills. You may even want to talk a little about your hobbies and interests-they show what motivates you. Do not go into what you did when you were five years old, or how you didn’t get on with your siblings.
Q. What has been your greatest achievement to date?
This doesn’t have to be work related. The interviewer is trying to find out if you are an achiever. Demonstrate how you have achieved and how it has benefited you. Do you still use those skills?
Q. What are your strengths?
You can admit to having strengths, just acknowledge them in a proficient manner. Discuss your main strengths. List three or four ways they could benefit your employer. Strengths to consider include technical proficiency, the ability to learn quickly, attention to detail, determination, a positive attitude and your ability to relate to people and work as a team. Provide examples and be prepared to back them up.
Q. What are your weaknesses?
The interviewer wants to see how self-aware you are, so don’t say ‘none’. Don’t use personal weaknesses such as ‘I find it hard to get out of bed in the morning’. Use a professional weakness such as lack of experience (training can always overcome that) or one that can be turned around into a strength such as ‘I’m very focused at work, so sometimes people think I’m ignoring them’.
Q. How would your family/friends/spouse describe you?
Choose three or four adjectives that show the positive side of your personality, such as ‘They would say I’m outgoing, reliable and loyal’.
Q. Why do you think you’re suitable for this role?
If you haven’t done your research, you won’t be able to give an answer with substance. Use your prepared list and match your skills and personal attributes. By this stage, the interviewer should have told you about the role. If not, ask for a full description of the role before giving your answer. You cannot say you’re the perfect candidate if you don’t know what the job is.
Q. Why are you leaving your current position?
This is usually best answered with ‘more challenge, responsibility and experience’. Avoid being negative about your current employment.
Q. How do you deal with confrontation?
The interviewer is asking if you are strong and can admit incorrect decisions. Show that you’re willing to listen, assess a situation, and implement change where necessary.
Q. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Do not respond in an arrogant or flippant manner with something like ‘in your role’. The interviewer wants to know your motivation and career aspirations. Whilst wanting to progress is a natural desire, don’t let this overshadow the job you are being interviewed for. Try not to give a specific job title, but more what you will be gaining from a role and environment. An example is: ‘I see myself in a role that allows me to be autonomous, and one that is both challenging and rewarding where I can utilise my skills and knowledge fully. Whatever the role, I want to be successful.’
Further Questions:
In addition, experienced consultants will need to be able to answer the following specific questions related to their current role:
Q. Recruitment Methodology – Which do you use, contingency, search and selection or a mixture? Which disciplines do you work within?
Q. Client Base – You will be asked to give examples of your top clients, their names and type/level of recruitment you are currently placing. Clients will also want a breakdown of what percentage of your client base is new (i.e. you developed) and what percentage you were given.
Q. Candidates – How do you source them, what involvement do you have in writing advertising, etc?
Q. Billings – You must be able to give details of current/previous billings by month/quarter or year. You may be asked how you are doing in comparison with your colleagues.
Q. Commission – You must be able to explain how your current commission structure operates and how much you have earned against it. Clients may also require proof of this.
Q. Additional Value – Has your company implemented anything you have suggested? Where have you added extra value, or gone the extra mile? Are you more than ‘just another recruitment consultant’?
Closing the interview:
Once the interview has concluded, thank the interviewer. Ask if the interviewer has any reservations and what they are. This may be your last opportunity to overcome them. If there are any doubts about your enthusiasm, the interviewer will concentrate on the negative aspects of your interview and think of why you shouldn’t be employed.
If the role really does interest you, tell the interviewer that you are very keen and that you would relish the opportunity to return and discuss it further.
Don’t be disappointed if no definite job offer is made at the first interview stage. In most cases the interviewer would need to consult colleagues first or to interview other suitable candidates.
Finish the interview with a firm handshake, smile and leave with confidence. Remember that you are on show until you leave the building and are out of sight; so don’t enter into a loud conversation on your mobile phone while still in the building.
After the interview:
Call your consultant at Absolute Consulting immediately after the interview. The consultant will need your feedback before speaking to the Client.