Interview Hints and Tips
As a specialist recruitment partner Arecibo ensure that all of our candidates are fully prepared for their interviews with our clients. We will always support with your preparation specific to the position and have a brief outline guide below:
In the short form:
1 Research the company
2 Research the role
3 Research yourself
4 Your social media profiles - are they public or private
4 Interview process
5 Practice makes perfect
6 Breathe!
7 Engage with the interviewer
8 Be Yourself
9 Feedback
Preparing for an Interview
Your CV has got you that all important interview. Now to prepare and impress your prospective employer.
Do your Research
Read up on the company you have applied to. Learn about what they do, their objectives and strategies. Check out key people in the organisation.
Read the job description and make sure you know about the role you have applied for. Where does the role fit into the organisation. Match your skills and qualifications to the job description.
Research yourself and if you have social media profiles such as LinkedIn make sure they are up to date.
Interview process
The interview format and process may depend on the size and type of organisation and on the job that you have applied for.
Types of interview:
-
Telephone or a Skype interview
-
More traditional face to face interview, this could be in front of a large interview panel or just two or three people.
-
You may have been asked to give a presentation
-
A practical assessment
-
Competency or skills based
When you have been invited for interview you should be given information about the format of the interview.
Practice makes perfect
Think about the type of questions that employers are likely to ask and practice how you will answer. In your answers highlight appropriate qualifications, talk about your key strengths, relevant previous experience, your skills and your successes and how they make you the best person for the job. For competency type questions your answers should give examples of what you did, how you did it and what was the outcome.
Practice answering out loud, record your answers and play it back or ask someone to role play and walk through the interview with you.
What to Wear?
This depends on the organisation and the role you have applied for. Suits for men and women have always been the norm and although more companies are opting for business casual dress our advice would always be to wear a suit. Remember first impressions count! If it’s something you haven’t worn for a while allow time to try it on and if necessary send it to the cleaners. Don’t forget your shoes, clean and polish them too.
You want to look smart and professional so think about your accessories as well, for women keep jewellery to a minimum and your makeup subtle. Make sure your hair is well groomed and if you are wearing perfume or aftershave it is not too overpowering.
What to you take with You
Paperwork
-
Copies of your CV and the job description.
-
Copies of your relevant qualifications and certificates.
-
Details of your referees could be useful.
-
You may be asked to bring ID, valid passport and or driving licence.
-
Notebook and pen, you might want to make a note during the interview. Out of politeness ask the interviewer if it ok to take notes.
Look professional and bring your paperwork in a briefcase or document folder
Getting there on time
Never arrive late for an interview. Make sure you arrive in good time, 10-15 minutes beforehand. Check out your route whether you are driving or taking public transport. If driving, check the traffic conditions and allow time to park and walk to the building. Getting a taxi might be an option. If the interview is local you may want to do a dry run to check the route. If the worst happens and you do get held up make sure you have a contact phone number to call and explain the situation.
Engage with the interviewer
Now you are in the room! Breathe, relax and most importantly be yourself. Making the first impression is important, be confident, smile, shake hands and introduce yourself. Make sure you are comfortable. Sit up straight, don’t slouch, make eye contact with the interviewer and be an active listener. Be assertive, speak clearly and don’t mumble. Answer the question and don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat or clarify the question if you are not sure. Remember an interview is a two-way conversation.
Your Questions to the Interviewer
At the end of the interview will be your opportunity to ask questions so ensure that you have at least two questions prepared in advance. Examples include; What are the next steps? What are the opportunities for career progression? What are the day to day responsibilities of the job? Something that cropped up during the interview may also prompt a question. It is important to remember that the employer will want to know that you are genuinely interested in the position and not just the package on offer so it is best ensure the questions are related to the role and the company.
Ask for Feedback
If you aren’t successful don’t be afraid to ask for feedback as feedback can help you improve your technique for your next interview.