INTERVIEW TIPS
1) Don’t be afraid to sell yourself.
Be aware of all the relevant strengths you have. Make sure that you have told these to the interviewer by the end of the interview.
2) Prepare well for the interview.
Find out about the company, its markets & products. Ask for company literature. Talk to the employees, former employees, suppliers and customers.
3) Anticipate the questions you will be asked and rehearse the answers.
Don’t just think about how you will answer, but prepare the actual wording you will use.
4) Be polite and friendly to everyone you meet.
5) Be positive about your current and previous employers.
6) Have questions ready.
This shows you have thought about the job and are interested in it.
7) Show enthusiasm!
Confirm your interest in the job & ask about the next stage.
8) Immediately after the interview, make a note of the information you received. Remembering this information at the next interview will impress the interviewer.
9) Ask a friend who has experience as an interviewer to do a mock interview with you. Make it as realistic as possible. Ask for a frank and honest assessment.
10) Dress professionally.
11) Show that you have done your homework.
‘In the annual report I noticed...’
PRE-INTERVIEW CHECKLIST
1) Have you confirmed that you will attend on the specified day at the specified time?
2) Do you know the name and title of the person/people you will be meeting?
3) Do you have the correct address? Do you know how to get there?
4) Have you organised how you will get there? Bus? Car? How long will it take?
5) Have you sourced information on the company? Ask for company literature, annual report etc. 6) Are you up to date on developments in your sector? Read newspapers & trade journals.
7) Have you visited any part of the business open to the public? e.g. shop, hotel, etc.
8) Have you written down what you think the interviewer is looking for?
9) Have you listed out your strengths and achievements? Are you ready to talk about them?
10) Have you prepared answers for the questions they will ask you?
11) Have you prepared questions to ask them?
12) Have you selected your interview suit?
ON THE MORNING OF THE INTERVIEW
1) Re-read your CV and application form so that it is fresh in your mind.
2) Reread the advertisement for the job.
3) Reread your list of strengths and achievements.
4) Get an honest friend to check your appearance.
QUESTIONS YOU WILL BE ASKED
1) Tell me about yourself?
2) Tell me about your career/education to date and why you decided on this career path?
3) What are your strengths/weaknesses and how have they effected your career so far?
4) What do you feel you can add to our organisaton?
5) Are you a team player/self starter/team leader?
There is no such thing as a right answer to these or any other questions, just relax and be yourself. You should also be prepared to answer technical questions
QUESTIONS TO ASK AT INTERVIEW
At first interview, don’t ask about job conditions such as salary, hours of work etc.
Ask about the company, its history, ownership, strengths, weaknesses and future plans.
How long has the company been in existence? How has it grown? What future plans do you have? What are your general policies towards employees – promotion etc.? A recent article spoke about XYZ development, how is that going? Ask about the markets and products.
Ask about the job
To whom would I report? In my present company we use XYZ process, do you use a similar process? Is this a new position? What do you want this person to achieve?
Ask about matters outside your area
“I have a good understanding of the accounting function and where I would fit in. Could you tell me something about the overall management structure of the company?’
Ask about your prospects with the company. Ask about any area that the interviewer has enjoyed talking about. ‘That successful new product, how will it help the company’s image?’
