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Interview Techniques

The Recruitment Process: The Interview

This is great news – you have a job interview. This means that your CV must have impressed the interviewer enough to want to meet you in person. But a job interview, for the majority of people, is always a daunting occasion. There are, however, a few ways to make the interview a little easier.

Preparation for Interview

It is worth spending a bit of time researching the company prior to the interview. Look at the size and history of the organisation. Find out what they do and who their major competitors are. Try their website for most of these answers. It is also perfectly acceptable to ask for company literature when setting up the interview date. Make sure you have an understanding of the job description and try to relate your own experience to the role.

Also think about the reasons why you want to work there. Make sure you are comfortable when answering these questions as the interviewer will be looking for you to present reasons as to why you are the best person for the job.

Also consider your reasons for leaving your last position and gaps in your CV as these points are likely to be discussed. But remember to be honest and positive with your answers.

Practice at Interviews

Ask a friend or relative to run through a mock interview with you (use our example Interview Questions for guidance). This is not only a chance to work out your interview jitters, but gives you the opportunity to prepare for the next day and should also give you a little constructive feedback.

Be aware of your body language too. If your body language is very open , such as smiling and plenty of eye contact, this shows the interviewer that you are confident and comfortable.

If your body language is closed, such as folded arms, frowning and clenched hands, this shows that you are defensive and nervous.

It is also an idea to test-run the route to the interview. Make sure you can find parking close by and leave plenty of time to arrive there. We all relax a little more when we know where we’re going and are sure we will be there on time.

You may have forgotten what was on your CV, so make sure you reacquaint yourself and take an extra copy with you in case the interviewer has misplaced it.

Dress to Impress at your Interview

It is always worth dressing professionally for the interview – even if the company is known to be laid-back, the people interviewing you will realise immediately that you are willing to make an effort for their company.

Make sure that your outfit, preferably a suit, is clean and freshly ironed. Avoid fashionable items and accessories, instead go for classic and simple. Remove any jewellery not intended for ear lobes and try to cover any visible tattoos. Also try to cover as much skin as possible; if you want to be taken seriously, revealing a great deal of flesh is not the way to do that.

On the day walk tall and sit tall. Slouching is negative body langauage which will tell the interviewer that you do not care.

First Impressions at your Interview

A good first impression goes a long way. If you make a bad first impression it will take a very long time to change someone's opinion of you and you probably will not be able to do that in the context of one short interview. To make a good impression when you arrive, be polite to everyone you meet, even when asking for directions. Walk in with your shoulders back and your head high. Remember to smile – just don’t frighten people with a fake Cheshire grin!

When you shake hands, shake with a firm grip – again try not to put anybody in A&E though! Maintain eye contact when you meet your interviewer. If you are nervous, one technique is to notice and remember the colour of their eyes when you first greet them.

Do not sit until you are asked to take a seat. Make sure that your mobile phone is switched off. Although your nerves may encourage you to chew gum, resist the temptation. Be on best behaviour, but relax too. Bear in mind that smiling should help you to relax.

Once the interview has started, honesty is the best policy as lying will undoubtedly cause issues further down the line, if not make you look silly in front of the interviewer.

Ask Questions

Asking questions during the interview raises the interview relationship in a subtle way from one where you are on your own, to one where you are an equal with the interviewer.

Do not be afraid to ask more about the company, what responsibilities you will have, what the staff moral is like, why the last person left. Look at our example Interview Questions for an idea of what you can ask the interviewer.

Remember, job interviews are a two way thing. You need to interview them too so that you can decide whether you actually want to work there. We have all had jobs that were not what we were expecting. It is best to find something that you will be happy doing as we spend a massive portion of our life at work.

So spend a little time preparing and with a little bit of effort, that job could easily be yours. Best of luck.