Demystifying Job Interviews

You submitted your CV or application form and have now been invited to a job interview.  Help … what next? This blog will give you some pointers about what to expect and what you need to do to prepare for a Job Interview.
 
An Overview of Job Interviews
Job Interviews are an important part of any recruitment process. But what are interviewers actually looking for?

1. Can you do the job? Do you have what it takes?
2. Will you do the job? (or are you just going through the motions?)
3. Clarify any points you have raised in your CV.
4. Do you fit in with the other employees and the organisation as a whole?

 
Shining in a job interview is very much about preparation and planning beforehand and ensuring that your personality shines through. 
 
What are the different types of Job Interviews?

• Telephone interview

Initial chat to fully gauge your interest.  May ask you some competency based questions but often tends to be a general chat about you and your career to date.  Think of this as a chance to showcase your “elevator pitch” of your job history and skills.

• Webinar interview

Similar to the above but sometimes can involve you answering prepared questions and recording your responses to these.

• Group assessment

Often used for Graduate schemes or more senior appointments

• Face to face interview (one to one)

Used to ask competency based questions (probe your experience by asking questions that need you to demonstrate when you have previously experienced a situation).

• Face to face interview (panel)

Similar to above but you would be interviewed by more than one person

• Presentation

Given a specific topic to respond to such as how would you implement a particular project? What would you include in a specific policy?

• Work trial

Opportunity for you to show your skills in a real life situation.
 
How to prepare for a Job Interview
Should you just wing it or do you need to do some preparation? To be successful for a job interview it is important for you to complete the following:-

• Visit the organisation’s website – what is the purpose of the organisation?
• Review the job description – what skills are they looking for? What transferable skills do you have?
• Think of some examples that you can talk about to demonstrate those skills or behaviours
• Plan for the unexpected.  If you are doing a telephone interview, do you have somewhere quiet to go? If you are attending a face to face interview do you know where you are going? What is the dress code? Who are you meeting?

 
Tips for face to face interviews
Remember that first impressions count.  Wear something professional and appropriate but not uncomfortable.  Your handshake is important, so look the interviewer in the eye and shake firmly.  A smile will often help too!
 
Tips for telephone interviews
Just because someone can’t see you doesn’t mean that you can’t dress up or smile.  This might help put you in the right frame of mind to respond.
 
Tips for answering questions
Don’t panic and be yourself
 
Listen carefully to the question. If you are unsure of how to answer, or missed part, don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat it. Don’t try to fit your prepared answer to the question if it won’t work, take a second to think of a more appropriate reply.
 
Just remember the essentials of a good interview
E          ENGAGE
B         BRAIN
B         BEFORE
O         OPENING
M         MOUTH

• Give examples but never exaggerate your abilities

 
Questions at the end of the Job Interview
Come prepared with some questions to ask at the end of the interview, such as:-

• What are the top priorities for my first 6 months in the job?
• How would you describe the team I will be working with?
• How would you describe the work culture here?
• What do you enjoy most about working here?
• In what ways is performance measured?
• What training and professional development opportunities will be available?
• When will a decision be made on the role?

 
It will show the interviewer that you are interested and help you to visualise what it would like to work there.
 
In summary, preparing for an interview is as important as completing your CV or application form.  Preparation is key to demonstrate that you are the best person for the role. 
 
If you would like some support in preparing for a Job Interview email me today at thecareerowl@gmail.com and I’ll help you get started.