Interview prep
If your application for a job is successful, you may be asked to attend an interview. If so, you need to prepare for the interview, to demonstrate to the employer that you are suitable for the job. This guide intends to provide you with the knowledge necessary to have a successful interview.
A few days before
Dress code:
Find out what the dress code is and make sure that you have clean and tidy clothes to wear for your interview. Some interviews are more formal than others so you may want to ask about the format of the interview to decide what to wear; if it is formal a suit may be appropriate, if it is a more casual interview, smart casual clothes may be fine. By finding out beforehand, not only will you make a good impression to your employer, but also, you won’t feel out of place around other correctly dressed colleagues/interviewees.
Directions:
Being on time for an interview is very important, as this shows the employer how punctual and reliable you are. If you are late this could already affect your interview before it has begun. Make sure you know where you need to go for your interview. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions, this shows your employer that you are organised and plan ahead. If you are unsure of the journey or how long it will take, it is a good idea to travel that route a few days before, to make sure you don't get lost on the actual day. You will also need to find out where to go once you arrive and who to report to.
Preparing for the interview
Format:
Depending on the position that you are applying for, interviews can take many different formats. They can be formal or informal, again depending on the role.
One-to-One interview - this would be with you and the employer, usually someone who would be your manager or directly related to the application.
Group interview—this may include other candidates or it could be you and a few members of the company interviewing you.
Assessment day—this would entail a number of interview techniques; possibly group work with other candidates, online tests and an individual interview.
Question preparation:
It is a good idea to prepare in advance for questions that they may ask you. Try to put yourself in the interviewers’ shoes and think what kind of things they would want to know about you. This could include previous experience, why you think you are suitable for the job, interests and hobbies etc. They could also include scenario questions, i.e. ‘describe to me a problem you experienced and how you approached solving it. You may want to think of these kind of situations beforehand so you are not sitting thinking for a long time and keeping the interviewer waiting.
Research:
Research the company if this is appropriate, and the type of role that you are applying for, as questions such as ‘what do you know about the company’ may arise.
On the day
Make sure you allow plenty of time for your journey. Aim to arrive at the workplace slightly early. For example, if the interview is at 9am, it is wise to aim to be there by 8:45am. Allow time to find somewhere to park, find the right room/person you need, and time to visit the toilet. If you feel particularly nervous, try to relax and remember, the employer is human too! It may be the case that the interviewer is nervous too. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, it is your chance to ask the employer anything you would like to know about the role/company. Try to relax and be yourself, this is the first physical impression that the employer gains from you and if you are friendly, polite and smiling they will remember you for the right reasons.
First impressions:
Don’t forget first impressions always count. Smile and keep eye contact. Shake hands with a firm hand shake. Be presentable. Be confident and positive about yourself. After the interview, thank the interviewer/s for their time.
Telephone interviews are becoming more popular with employers as a form of recruitment. This guide has been put together to provide you with some background knowledge of the types of telephone interviews, how to prepare for them and what to expect during the interview.
Types of telephone interview:
After you submit your CV or an application form to a company, they may then phone you to conduct a telephone interview without telling you beforehand that they are going to do this.
The fully automated
The company will ask you to call them from a touch-tone telephone at a convenient time. An automated system will ask you a number of questions which you will have to answer by pressing the appropriate key on the telephone keypad. Both your answers to the questions and the time taken to respond to the questions will be taken into account.
Structure:
This is an interview that takes place at a mutually agreeable time arranged between you and the employer. The type of questions you will be asked may include information about yourself and your suitability for the job. For example if you are applying for a job as a retail assistant you may be asked what previous retail experience you have and what companies you have worked for in the past.
The process when you phone an employer:
How to prepare:
Find a quiet place, free from distractions. Try to use a landline phone and not a mobile phone. Have a piece of paper and a pen available to make notes. Have your CV and any other documents that you may need in front of you so you can refer to them. Don’t eat, smoke or drink during the telephone call. Prepare your opening sentence.
What to do when phoning:
Speak clearly. Smile whilst talking on the phone. Speak in a professional voice, although try to sound natural, not fake. Avoid using slang words. When you telephone the employer tell them your name, explain you are calling about an advertised job in The Bridge and state the title of the position (e.g. Bar Staff), quote the reference number if applicable, and ask if the position is still available. At this point the employer will understand why you have called and will either conduct the interview or ask if they can call you back at a more convenient time.
The process when an employer calls you:
How to prepare:
Be prepared for the telephone call at the arranged time. Ensure your answer phone message is sensible and suitable (e.g. state your name, ask the caller to leave a message and tell them you will call them back). Have a piece of paper and pen available to make notes. Have your CV and any other documents that you may need in front of you so you can refer to them.
Don’t eat, smoke or drink during the telephone call. Prepare yourself for the type of questions you could be asked. These could include questions about the company (e.g. do you know what type of business we are?), questions about your previous work experience and why you are suitable for this position, to name a few.
During the interview:
Speak clearly. Smile whilst talking on the phone. Speak in a professional voice, although try to sound natural not fake. Avoid using Slang words. At the end, ask if there is any further information they require from you
Additional information:
If you are deaf or hearing impaired you will need to tell the employer that a telephone interview will not be suitable for you. Alternative methods of interviews you could suggest include typetalk, email, text phone or a face-to-face interview with the services of an interpreter/lipspeaker.
