How to succeed at job interviews
Job interview insiderLet’s imagine that you have set your sights on your next move, created a winning CV and you’re off for that all important interview. Just remember that job interviews are a two-way process. The employers have to decide if they want you, but you also have to decide if you want them.
The odds are usually stacked in favour of the recruiters because they know what they are really looking for, irrespective of how well the specification has been articulated in their ads and job descriptions. They also get to meet all the other candidates which, usually, you don’t.
It’s an old cliché but you just have to give it your very best shot. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. If you don’t get the job at least use the interview experience as practice you can learn from and use next time around to give yourself the edge.
There are lots of tips here to help you but this is the real world and you might decide, whether they make you an offer or not, that it isn't just isn't the right job for you. You'll find more detailed insider advice in our book listed below "Rebuilding your life after redundancy" and in "How to handle your recruitment consultant".
The odds are usually stacked in favour of the recruiters because they know what they are really looking for, irrespective of how well the specification has been articulated in their ads and job descriptions. They also get to meet all the other candidates which, usually, you don’t.
It’s an old cliché but you just have to give it your very best shot. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. If you don’t get the job at least use the interview experience as practice you can learn from and use next time around to give yourself the edge.
There are lots of tips here to help you but this is the real world and you might decide, whether they make you an offer or not, that it isn't just isn't the right job for you. You'll find more detailed insider advice in our book listed below "Rebuilding your life after redundancy" and in "How to handle your recruitment consultant".
Top tips for job interviews
Preparation
- Documents - don't forget to take a copy of your CV, the job details, and any other documents they are likely to request these days such as your passport, copies of qualifications and so on.
- Dress for success - select your outfit carefully, taking into account the image tips you will have read in improving your personal impact, take the trouble to find out what the dress code culture (if you are interviewing outside your current organisation) because you want to make a good impression. A dark suit tends to be the norm even in these days of more relaxed cultures.
- Travel - confirm the date, time and location of the venue, research your travel arrangements and aim to arrive no more than 15 minutes early. Make sure you have a contact phone number just in case you are delayed and need to call them. Remember to keep receipts for your travel. Some companies do not offer expenses (those in the public sector usually do) but be prepared to prove how much you spent and offer receipts for reimbursement. Make sure you know or have to hand the name of the person you are meeting so that you can tell reception staff without having to rifle through your pockets or handbag.
- Waiting time - use your waiting time wisely. You could visit the washrooms and check your appearance, etc., so that when the person who comes to meet you to go to the interview location, you feel relaxed and look your best. You could refresh your memory by referring to your written notes on the ad or the research you have done on the company, the positive things you want to say, etc. Read any in-house magazines you find in the waiting room or reception, as they often give interesting clues about what’s going on. Watch how visitors are greeted at reception and the demeanour of employees and visitors as they come and go. It’s natural to be a bit nervous but use this time to focus that energy positively. Don't get grumpy if they keep you waiting (it won't be on purpose), you don't want the reception staff to pass on that you're a grouch.
- Refreshments - if you are offered refreshments just opt for water if you are a bit nervous and think balancing a hot cup of tea or coffee might be a distraction. Don’t smoke before, during or within view of the interview location even if they invite you to because you will reek of stale smoke. Never chew gum.
- First impressions - make sure that you make a good first impression on everyone you meet (because you never know what their role might be). Stand up straight, greet with a smile (it shows an accepting attitude towards others) and a firm confident handshake, and make regular eye contact but don’t stare and make others feel uncomfortable. You’re not there to outshine the person who will be your boss so don’t overdo it. If the boss isn’t very confident and you are, they might label you as arrogant or feel threatened by you. It won’t get you the job. Interviewers will probably engage in pleasantries like ‘Hello, pleased to meet you’, and ask about your journey and so on. Be positive, because they may want to ensure you can get to work regularly on time.
- Distractions - always switch off your mobile phone and certainly don't answer any calls during your interview.
Job interview approaches
The more senior the job you apply for, the more people you are likely to be interviewed by, and that you may have to take tests or go to an assessment centre where you may have to complete additional tasks, e.g. personality, verbal reasoning, numeracy, role plays and so on. However, these days, most companies take a more team approach to interviewing and you will probably be interviewed by more than one person. Each interviewer will then be required to give their opinion on your suitability and the candidate with the most votes usually receives the offer. That is of course unless employers decide that no one is suitable, in which case they start all over again (this happens more often than you’d think).
If you are applying for a position via a recruitment agency your first interview might be with one of their interviewers because they will probably be paid to filter CVs and candidates. Sometimes the agency will just send you to an interview and you never get to meet a representative, which is really not ideal. You may be lucky, meet the decision maker straight away, only have one interview and receive an offer on the spot. If it’s a small firm with little bureaucracy, no time to waste prevaricating or you are the only viable candidate, this could happen.
There are lots of books and courses about how to select and recruit employees but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will meet people who know what they are doing or who follow best practice, even in big companies. Part of the key to good interview practice as a candidate is to expect the unexpected, be prepared to be flexible and appear clam, unruffled and measured in your responses – go with the flow.
If you would like to understand what the recruitment industry advises to it's members, please download the Recruitment and Employment Confederation Code of Conduct document at the bottom of this page. As for standards of recruitment by employers, we have met many senior executives who shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a prospective candidate but they do so with amazing regularity and no training. Some companies want to see how you perform under pressure and will submit you to seemingly impolite treatment and aggressive questioning; some will take a more relaxed, welcoming stance (and then perhaps go in for the tough questions). Both have their advantages and disadvantages: you can only respond appropriately to what happens in each scenario you encounter. Forewarned, however, is forearmed.
One last thing: if you have been made redundant and you get a job interview it probably means that they won’t be prejudiced against you as you may have feared. If your former employer’s redundancy rationale was public and widely reported in the press they may not even bother to ask you about it. If they do ask you they will want a positive answer to explain why you were selected for or opted for redundancy so do practise an acceptable one beforehand. Using this opportunity to vent your spleen about what a useless shower your former boss/colleagues/superiors were won’t win you any friends.
Dealing with job offers
If all your hard work has paid off, and if you now have multiple offers because you have been chasing several opportunities at once, then – good for you! You are in a great position now. You have more information at your disposal so make sure that you don’t lose your head at this stage and just accept the first offer.
Get the best overall package you can, and make sure that it matches all the criteria that you set out for yourself in getting promoted or choosing a new direction.
Get the best overall package you can, and make sure that it matches all the criteria that you set out for yourself in getting promoted or choosing a new direction.
Essential resources
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Recruitment and Employment Confederation Code of Practice 2006 - 194kb Download this file |
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