INTERVIEW TIPS
Over the years we’ve been able to establish the main causes for both unsuccessful and successful interviews – it might be worth your while to read the hints below and make sure you are prepared for your phone or face to face meeting.
PHONE INTERVIEW
BEFOREHAND
If you are going to be using a cell phone, make sure the battery is fully charged and you are in a good reception area. If using a land line make sure you will be alone during the call, with no children/animals/TV in the background to detract from the conversation.
ON THE CALL
Make sure you speak clearly and not too quickly. The single most common reason for rejection at this stage is when the interviewer cannot hear or understand what you are saying.
Remember the telephone magnifies sound so the interviewer will hear if you are performing other tasks while speaking to them – such as typing on your computer, etc.
Answer the questions directly and to the point. Don’t just give yes or no answers, but on the other hand don’t ramble or get side tracked. If you don’t understand a question, ask the interviewer to put it another way.
Be prepared. Know something about the company who is going to interview you – look at their website beforehand and have the job requirement in front of you while you speak. At this stage it’s appropriate to ask questions about the job content, etc.
FACE TO FACE INTERVIEW (in person)
BEFOREHAND
Before going to the interview, always go to the company’s website and read up about who they are, what they do, and what their most recent successes have been. Companies like to think that you are interested in them as an organization.
ON THE DAY
Be punctual and dress professionally. A suit is preferable. If not a suit, please wear a sport coat and slacks – or similar dress for female candidates. Set yourself apart from other candidates attending the interview day. Have a firm handshake and look the interviewer/s in the eye.
Probably the single biggest reason for rejections is poor communication. When asked a question try not to give a short yes or no answer. Expand on your experience and roles in prior engagements, and speak slowly and clearly. The interviewer is not a mind-reader and sometimes your resume doesn’t cover everything they want to know. Make sure that your depth of experience and knowledge comes out at the interview.
Passion for the position – this is very important. Show energy and enthusiasm (passion) for the position. Our clients do not want to hire candidates that aren’t enthusiastic about the position they are being interviewed for.
Make sure the client knows that you are looking for a career opportunity with their company. Although salary discussions are important, it’s even more important that the client believes you are more interested in your career path with them.
Please have multiple copies of your resume with you just in case it hasn’t been shared with those people doing the interview.
FACE TO FACE INTERVIEW (via video/Skype)
A new trend to cut down the costs of in-person interviews is to conduct a final interview by means of video/Skype. Although this may seem to be a less formal type of interview, in fact you should prepare in exactly the same way as if you were meeting the hiring manager in person.
Make sure you are logged into Skype in plenty of time
Dress and groom as though you were going to a meeting at the client site.
Remember to thoroughly research the company beforehand.
Ensure that your surroundings are clean and tidy.
Make certain that you will be alone in the room for the entire interview with nobody coming in to cause an interruption.
Remember that when you are on screen, so are your surroundings. You want everything to be professional.
Speak clearly and face the screen.