Interview Techniques

Before your interview:

Here are some useful points to help you with your preparation once you have an interview confirmed:

Research the company; what they do, how many people they employ, who their customers are. Call ahead and ask them to send any literature to you or look on their website for information.
Make sure you have details and directions of how to get to your interview; you could even do a test run.
Look at the requirements of the job and be clear on how your skills match or exceed them.
Give some thought to what questions you might be asked at the interview such as
- What are your strengths?
- What are your needs for development?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
- Why did you apply for this position?
- What do you know about our company?
It's a good idea to prepare in advance (or at least consider) what questions you might like to ask at your interview such as;
- What training do you offer?
- What do they see as the most challenging part of the job?
- What career progression is possible?
- Who would you be working with/reporting to?
Do you have any examples of your work or achievements you could take with you to show your skills and qualifications?
Take references with you or other forms of recognition and achievement.
Take time to plan what you will wear to the interview and ensure it is clean, well pressed, comfortable and appropriate.

At the interview - Do's and Don'ts:

Do:

Make eye contact with the interviewer. Where there is more than one interviewer, make sure you keep regular eye contact with each person.
Remember to switch off your mobile telephone.
Consider your posture, sit up straight and look alert.
Smile, relax and be enthusiastic - let your personality show.
Listen carefully and concentrate on what the interviewer is saying.
Try to answer all the questions fully, not just with 'yes' and 'no' and always be honest.
If you don't understand a question - or perhaps don't hear it properly, ask the interviewer to repeat it - don't guess!
Show that you are interested in the company and the vacancy and that you have done some research; ask questions when appropriate.
Tell them how they will benefit from employing you.
Always clarify how and when you will know their decision, how many other people they have interviewed.
At the end of the interview ask them how well you have performed.
Always thank the interviewer for his/her time.

Don't: