Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
How to nail that job interview – Recap
Tuesday 1st November 2011, 8:30AM GMT.
This live Q+A session has now finished. Scroll down to the comments to catch up with all of the advice.
A job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience for some people, but it’s essential that you make the best impression possible if you’re to be in with a chance of winning that role.
To try and make the experience a little less stressful we’ve assembled a panel, in association with jobs.expressandstar.com, to share expert advice on interview techniques and answer all of your questions.
Our panel includes:
Jacqui Cardno, Commercial Manager, Pertemps Recruitment Partnership
Having worked in recruitment for seven years and been a branch manager at Midlands company Pertemps for five of those, Jacqui Cardno has a wealth of experience when it comes to hiring permanent and temporary staff.
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Simon Lambourne, Sales Director, Working Solutions
Early on in Simon Lambourne’s recruitment career, he recognised that large numbers of candidates had not received training on how to perform in an interview and spent much time helping them to fully prepare. Now working as Sales Director for Working Solutions, he is passionate about finding the right person for the right position and is a committed believer in the ‘pre-interview’ interview.
This live Q+A session has now finished. Scroll down to the comments to catch up with all of the advice.
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I’m always a bag of nerves before an interview and feel like this ruins my chances before I’ve even started. Any tips to help me calm down a bit?
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I would say the majority of people are nervous before an interview and the interviewr will be aware of this and take it into account. You need to channel this into positive energy and use it to your advantage.
The best advice I can give is to prepare…preparation is the key! Research the company, research the role, search websites for “typical interview/competency based questions” and prepare how you would answer them. This should then reduce your anxiety levels. A few deep breathing exercises and do your best!
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I would definitely do some “role play” interviews with friends/family or even a friend of a friend to make it a bit more formal if you wanted to. The more you put yourself into the “interview scenario” the more confident you will become. By practicing your interview responses in the safety of a role play environment you should start to build up your confidence and get used to a “one to one” interview environment. And remember – the interview is also an opportunity for you to meet the employer as well as for the employer to meet you – so feel free to take the opportunity of asking them questions and finding out information for yourself.
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I left my last employer on somewhat bad terms. What should I say if they ask about it or if they want a reference?
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Depending on what the reason is, I would always be honest. If you are honest, then you have nothing to hide.
Employers can obtain verbal references and it may come out in the end, so if you are upfront people will respect that.
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I have always lived by the “honesty will bring results” approach. Its inevitable that some people will find they leave previous employers on difficult terms. I would suggest you be totally up front – tell them your side of what happened – be honest enough to say that you appreciate there may be another side to what happened but “this is how I saw it”. Explain to the prospective employer that you are being really honest with them – maybe share what you have learnt from the experience and what you would do differently in the future – just BE HONEST! -They will respect that and take you seriously – much better than a difficult reference coming back and questions being asked at that stage.
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@Jimbo Practice makes perfect Jimbo. Firstly take every interview as practice, do not worry about getting the job, that is what shows at an interview. You must practice with a friend, do role play.. Be the interviewer and the interviewee.. Be friendly with the interviewer, remember people employ people like themselves.. So more than likely an whole workforce will have traits that the interviewer likes.. If they come across really horrible, the chances are your work mates will be similar.. Takes lots of deep breaths and do breathing exercises before an interview.. Speak slowly and think through your words before you speak.. Do not make silly jokes, you must look quietly confident.. Do a little research about the company first.. Show an interest in their company, after all they want people who like whatever the company does.. Last of all look smart, but don’t make it a fashion contest..
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Welcome to this live Q+A session on job interview techniques, in association with jobs.expressandstar.com. A big welcome to Jacqui Cardno and Simon Lambourne, who will be sharing advice today – could you both just tell us a little bit about what you do and your own interview experiences?
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I recently had an interview that asked me how I prepared for it – when you don’t know the questions they are going to ask you how can you prepare fully?
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You will need to do the basic preparation for any interview – visit their website so that you know all about the company – really get a full understanding of the job description and why you feel that you are the right person for the role – ie matching your previous experience with what they are looking for. Increasing numbers of interviews are now competency based – ie you will need to give a specific work or personal experience to a question such as “tell me about an instance when you were working with a difficult customer – what was the issue, how did you handle it and what was the outcome?” You can find sets of competency based questions online so get a good understanding of what you could get asked and if they ask you how you prepared – tell them that you have spent quite of bit of time reviewing your work history and thinking of scenarios that you have experienced that might be relevant to the role you are applying for.
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You may not be able to prepare for every question, but you can prepare:
- Reseach the role you are going for and ensure you can demonstrate your skills or your transferable skills
- Research the company on their website
- Look on websites for “typical interview questions” and prepare your answers
- Look at competency based questions on the web and prepare your answers
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Do you always have to dress smart for an interview or does it depend on the type of job that you’re going for? For instance, if the company allows employees to dress casually, should you still wear a suit for the interview?
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My advice – if in doubt – dress in smart office wear – even if the staff at the company dress casually! Remember within about ten seconds of you meeting the interviewer they will already have partially made up their mind on whether you are right for the role or not – FIRST IMPRESSIONS REALLY COUNT! I have seen fantastic candidates fail at the interview stage purely because they did not look smart and presentable at interview. It really puts employers off – they want to see that you are making a real effort to be as presentable as possible. Remember that the current recession means lots of candidates going for one role! – So its particularly important that you really look the part.
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I would always say to dress smartly. The first impression you give, may make the difference.
If you go suited for your interview, you can always discuss the business dress afterwards. It shows the future employer that you made the effort.
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What advice can you give to help someone stand out in an interview?
These days you hear reports of hundreds of people applying for the same job – What are interviewers looking for?
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yes you are right – loads of people applying for one role. This makes it harder to stand out. Dress code – vital – dress really smartly! Personal hygiene – CRUCIAL! – clean hair, clean clothes, polished shoes, brushed teeth! – All basic stuff but really important. You must have done a thorough research of the company and the job description so that you know exactly what you are talking about. With the wide choice of candidates that employers now have – your personality will be key for getting the job!
You need to be really polite and friendly, you need to show a genuine interest in the interview – you need to really listen and not interrupt – listening skills are crucial! Its a fine balance with confidence but not over confidence that will put someone off – just be yourself and during the interview keep asking yourself the question “with the responses I am giving – would I employ me?”
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Every interviewer is looking for something different. I would suggest be yourself as personality is a big thing when it comes to appointing people, however you must still conduct a professional approach. Employers will want to gain an understanding of what you are like as a person and how you will fit their culture/team environment. This doesn’t mean throw a few jokes in, but what it does mean is smile, show some warmth and mirror the interviewer.
So demonstrate your ability to build rapport, make sure you prepare / do your research, dress smartly and think of some good questions to ask at the end. This is the difference between you and the next person.
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All the advice says that you should thoroughly research the company before the interview, but what should you try to find out? And, if you’re not directly asked, what is the best way to demonstrate this knowledge?
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They will almost certainly ask “what do you know about us?” So some basic facts about who they are, how long they have been trading, what recent awards they have won, their recent press releases etc all help. If you can get access to some financial information about the company that would help – ie their credit rating. Its great to be able to say at interview “I am really looking to work for a solvent company who are really riding out the current recession and I have noticed that you currently have a really strong credit rating. That gives me real confidence in you as a company.” So thinking slightly out of the box re information gathered will help you to stand out
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You should look at the following:
- Who they are/what they do
- How big are they/Co. size
- Awards/Accreditations
- Press Releases
- Their competitors/customers
Read their website inside out and gather as much information as you can.
If not asked directly, you can get snippets in when answering other questions or at the end, when asked “Do you have any questions” you can then say…Whilst researching your company I saw that you were…etc and then ask a good valid question.
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Definitely do all the basic research – who they are – how long they have been trading etc but try to find out a bit of information that others do not!
Its not too difficult to track a company’s credit rating. It would be great to be able to say at interview stage “I really want to work for a solvent and prospering company and I have found out that you have a great credit rating/strong financial status. This gives me real confidence to want to work for a company like yours.”
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If you don’t know the answer to an interview question is it better to say ‘I don’t know’ or to tell a little white lie?
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At the end of an interview, you’re usually asked if you have any questions and this part often stumps people (including myself in the past!).
What sort of questions should you ask?
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Some questions:
- What are the future plans for the company?
- What do you feel makes this company a great place to work?
- What training will be provided?
- When will you decide on the appointment?
- What is the next steps?
Or anything that you want to know before you make a decision (Advancement/Salary/Expansion Plans etc). It is as much you deciding if this company is right for you, as much as you being right for them.
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You need to give the employer a sense that you are really interested and want to develop long term prospects within that company – so questions that suggest you are in it for the long term are great:
“What are the long term career prospects within your company?”
“Its really important for me to know how I am developing – what type of appraisal system do you have?”
“What type of training structure do you have? Is company training a one off or will I have the opportunity of being trained throughout my career with you?”
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I notice you have links to both Pertemps and Working Solutions within the article, effectively advertising both the companies.
In the spirit of this I would like to advertise my skills directly too.
I am currently a billing analyst which is a role I have held for 18months, prior to this I was a billing account specialist and covering team leader for a team of 9 billing and debt management advisors.
During my time within my current company (6 and half years) I have won 2 awards within the ICM (Institute of Credit Management) and have been nominated for 2 awards at the Credit Today Awards.
Are there any positions you could offer me?
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Hi Dave,
Please email me direct and I will put you in touch with someone who can assist you.
Thanks
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I haven’t got a suit but I have got a shirt and tie, smart trousers and shoes. Is that good enough for an interview or do I really need to buy a suit?
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I would suggest that with the shirt and tie etc you definitely wear at least a jacket that would go with your trousers. I think sitting at an interview with a shirt and tie on but no jacket does not feel right. Perhaps you could borrow one from a friend? Some of the major supermarkets are now selling suits are really cheap prices – and they look good! – definitely worth the investment
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If you’ve been invited back for a second interview, how will this differ from the first one? Is there anything that you should do differently to prepare for it?
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As we’re approaching 2pm and the end of this live Q+A, can I just ask Simon and Jacqui if they have any final pieces of advice that we haven’t already covered?
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I think we have established some key points:
- Research & Preparation is key
- Smart business dress (always wear a suit)
- Firm handshake
- Personable (Friendly)
- Try not to be negative about previous employers
- Prepare some valid questions for at the end
- Thank the interviewer for their time at the end
- Be yourself
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Its really all about attitude. Interviewers are really looking for people who have the right attitude to work, willing to go the extra mile, demonstrating that they really want to learn, demonstrating that they are really teachable, demonstrating that they are in it for the “long haul”. They are looking for staff who they believe have the right skills, the right personality and the right attitude. So ask yourself the following –
“what am I like as a person?”
“Am I easy to work with?”
“what do previous colleagues say about me?”
“do I need to change?”
“Would I employ me?”
there are plenty of self help books on how to improve your personality – why not by one? The Four Agreements is a great self improvement book that sets you on the right path.
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It is now 2pm and this live Q+A session has now finished. A huge thank you to Simon and Jacqui for taking part today and sharing some great advice. For your next role, check out jobs.expressandstar.com
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