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Call our team on
0800-0556366
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 Interview Guidelines - The Top Ten Golden Rules |
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1. Virtually all jobs involve a face-to-face interview, so do your homework about your potential new employer beforehand! Try to anticipate likely questions - and look at the company's website to find out all you can about them. Prepare to ask your interviewers questions too; it shows you're intelligent, interested and on the ball! |
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2. First impressions are vitally important, especially your appearance - even if the employer has a relaxed dress code. So make sure you're smartly dressed - it'll show how much importance you place on the company and the position on offer. 3. Arrive on time and try to relax, check your appearance and read any notes you may have. Check through corporate literature on display, and even chat to the receptionist - both can be vital sources of company information.
4. Make sure you know the interviewer's name and position in the company. On meeting your interviewer, greet them by name, make good eye contact and deliver a firm handshake - it all helps to make you feel confident and gives them the impression that you’re a strong, resourceful character.
5. Be prepared to give a verbal account of your background (they'll be testing your communication skills). Don't hurry, think clearly - and take all the time you need to deliver your information concisely, smoothly and logically. Place particular emphasis on your recent experience and skills relevant to the job on offer.
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6. Listen carefully - and if you don’t understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat or clarify it. If you don't know an answer, say so - and don't be afraid to make it a point of discussion, giving you the chance to turn matters to your advantage. 7. Always be positive, and wherever possible, give positive responses to questions asked, beyond a simple "yes" or "no". 8. Before the interview ends, make sure that you have mentioned all of your relevant experience - your interviewer may not have covered everything in their questioning. If appropriate, summarise your understanding of what’s needed - and get their agreement or clarification where necessary. 9. If you are still keen on the position at the end of the interview, reinforce this before you leave. Ask the interviewer about what happens next, when a decision will be made - and ALWAYS thank them for seeing you. 10. Be yourself and don’t try to be what you think they are looking for.
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Preparation |
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On average, 90% of people who attend an interview do not prepare properly.
BE ONE OF THE 10% AND GIVE YOURSELF A BIG ADVANTAGE .
When you attend an interview you are being judged on how you present yourself and the impact you make upon the interviewer. Of course qualifications and experience are important but at this point attitude determines the outcome.
PEOPLE WITH LESS EXPERIENCE, BUT BETTER PREPARATION WILL HAVE A HIGHER CHANCE OF SUCCESS |
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Attitude |
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There are three elements that constitute the make up of an individual in relation to work.
KNOWLEDGE - The information we acquire through learning and experience.
SKILL - The techniques that we assimilate to implement that knowledge
ATTITUDE - The way in which we approach life, relationships and achievement.
Knowledge can be taught, skills are usually improved through coaching but most employers agree that attitude is relatively fixed and not easy to influence.
Your knowledge and skills are simple to test and also the easiest areas for an employer to help you develop, therefore they are the two components least likely to prevent you from passing an interview.
Attitude however is the one area that is personality based and every skilled interviewer will be looking for the correct signs, those that indicate a positive, result- driven and achievement-orientated attitude.
It cannot be accurately evidenced by a C.V. or in any technical or practical test. The only way that attitude can be measured is through questioning at interview or by formal assessment. Therefore be positive and engaged throughout the interview, especially in respect of your current job, the role on offer, the industry and your career development.
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“There is little difference in people,
But that little difference makes a big difference.
The little difference is attitude.
The big difference is whether it is Positive or Negative.”
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The Importance of Body Language |
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Research has shown that in terms of first impressions: |
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55% is based on appearance |
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38% on tone of voice |
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7% on what is actually said |
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS - Based on the three factors above, most interviewers form an impression of the interviewee in the first 30 to 90 seconds, this will, in most cases, be unchanged at the close. Some common poor behavioural problems at this stage include:
- Little or no eye contact
- Poor handshake (The dreaded wet-kipper handshake)
- Unsmiling or sullen manner
- Offering ‘closed’ answers to ‘ice breaking’ introductions e.g. Yes, No, OK
- Entering the room too rapidly and sitting down before being invited
It is easy to make a good first impression. Consider behaving as follows :
SMILE, as if you were greeting a friend; be prepared to shake hands positively.
LISTEN to the host and respond in a friendly way – make conversation.
BE CONFIDENT walk in calmly – good eye contactis essential.
LAST IMPRESSIONS - Too many interviewees leave saying the same, ‘Thank you very much for seeing me - I look forward to hearing from you’ (or words to that effect).
It must be boring to listen to the same closure all day long. Demonstrate some enthusiasm or emotion if you are really keen to have the job, such as:
‘Today’s interview has confirmed my view that this is a job I would really like to do. I sincerely hope that you will invite me to the next stage of selection”
Or
‘This job really presents the challenge and career opportunity I’ve been waiting for. If you offer it to me you will have my total commitment and enthusiasm’
In other words, ask for the job! it’s a great technique and so few people do it. |
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Typical Interview Questions |
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Please scroll down to view all the questions |
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1. Tell me a little about yourself?
(Make sure you are fully prepared for this question. Basically you are being asked to sell yourself in 5 minutes)
2. Why do you want to move from your current job?
Why have you applied for this position?
3. What do you know about the role you have applied for?
(If you don't know much about the role you have applied for..then you won't get the job!!)
4. What do you consider to be your greatest achievements in your career? (Don’t be modest)
5. What are your main strengths?
(List out 5. Don’t say you are honest, ethical etc. Concentrate on your skills)
6. What weaknesses do you have? (List a few)
What tasks do you find the hardest?
7. What motivates you? (Money is a good one)
8. Tell me about a typical week in your current role. (Be precise)
How do you organise yourself?
9. What do you enjoy, and also dislike, about your current role?
How well do you work with your manager?
What has he done for you?
10. What kind of decision do you find most difficult?
11. What performance standards do you set for yourself ?
12. How do you measure against your targets?
How well are you performing against your colleagues?
13. How do you measure good service? Give me an example of good service
14. You are not achieving your targets or your target is increased. What actions do you take?
15. How do you plan for the future and what have you done to develop your role?
16. Are you reactive or proactive with clients? Give an example.
17. What lead generation process do you employ?
18. What positive attributes do you bring to a team?
19. How do you develop new relationships with clients and colleagues?
20. What leadership, management or coaching roles have you undertaken?
21. What issues have you experienced in the last 6 months? What action did you take?
22. What proactive innovations or changes have you introduced to your role?
23. How do you deal with rejection, failure or criticism?
24. Tell me about a sale that you have made that you were particularly pleased with and why?
25. Why do clients buy from you?
26. Tell me about a sale that you failed to make and why?
27. Tell me about a situation when you had to deal with a very difficult client?
28. What have you done, over the last 12 months, to develop your skills and knowledge?
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Just a Few More Do's and Don'ts |
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| The night before |
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- Make sure you have done all your research about the Company you are seeing.
- Do not eat or drink excessively.
- Check your clothes are presentable.
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| Before the meeting |
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- Turn up ‘few’ minutes early. Don't turn up too early and offer to wait. If you are going to be late then telephone and let
them know.
- Make sure you have all your details with you. Note pad - CV - Copies of FP3 certificates - Past performance details etc.
- Be courteous to reception staff. They may be part of the interview process.
- Always accept teas or coffees when offered. It's polite.
- If wearing a coat - make sure it is presentable and clean.
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| Dress code |
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- Clean, dark suit, with no shiny bits.
- White shirt , which is not frayed at the collar or cuffs.
- Double cuffs with plain cuff links.
- Tie to be conservative, gravy stain free, and no patterns of cartoon characters
- Black leather belt - no Texan buckles.
- Dark socks - white socks will result in a rapid demise of the meeting.
- Polished black leather shoes - No holes and make sure properly heeled.
- Be conservative with the aftershave / perfume
- No excessive jewellery other than wedding / signet rings etc
- Watches need to be sensible.
- Visible tattoos will be a problem.
- Those who do hair gel and spiked up hair. Please don’t over do it.
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| At the interview |
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- Firm handshake first of all.
- Sit when you are told.
- Don't be too enthusiastic with the small talk (I.E. Talking football to a rugby enthusiast).
- Be careful of your body language.
- NEVER use swear words.
- Never indicate you are limited time wise.
- Show genuine interest.
- BE ENTHUSIASTIC.
- Don't interrupt.
- Don't argue - or correct the interviewer.
- Never make up stories of past experiences.
- Don't tell any jokes.
- Always maintain continuous eye contact.
- Make notes.
- Always make sure you have some prepared written questions
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| At the end of the meeting |
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- Ask how the interviewer felt the meeting went.
- Ask what happens next – Try and agree the second meeting.
- Thank the interviewer for the opportunity.
- Leave quietly.
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