Interview Advice

Strangely, the moment we leave our education behind is the exact time that we should all start doing our homework if we want to get ahead in the current job market. Having a good interview technique therefore is crucial when selling yourself to complete strangers. Interviews however, are a fact of life. Therefore, its time to get back to basics  and follow X-CEL’s simple steps to interview success!

Be prepared!
Find out as much as you can about the company beforehand. Take a look at the corporate website, if there is one, or get hold of a company brochure. Demonstrating knowledge of the basic company facts (number of employees, how long the company's been in business, products/services it provides) will impress.

Once your consultant has described a company and role to you, and the interview has been confirmed, it is imperative you do as much research as possible.

This includes: -

• Company statistics; established, employees, office locations etc
• Company type; software, hardware, exhibitions etc
• Company presence in market
• Products; range, USPs’
• Market, competitors and companies place within these

If necessary, write a presentation, format as follows;
Page 1; Title Page, with client name
Page 2; Info page, applicants name, address, D.O.B, qualifications, status and drivinglicence etc
Page 3; Last job, detailing products, clients, turnover etc
Page 4; Previous jobs, as above
Page 5; Profile of client, statistics, type, market, market share, product, Unique Selling Points, etc
Page 6; Profile of competition, who they are, size, market share, products
Page 7; List of questions

In the interview, ask if you can deliver presentation, show client through process in a relaxed and informative way. This is an ideal tool to tell the client straightaway who you are, who they are, who their competitors are, and why you are in the interview. Remember, in an interview, the more information you are armed with, the better your chances are of getting the result you want.

Role Playing
It may seem silly, but role-playing is extremely helpful in the lead up to interview. Get your best mate to be the interviewer and pretend it's the real thing. Questions they might ask include:

• Why are you interested in working for our company?
• What do you know about our company?
• What experience do you have in this field?
• Why did you leave your last company?
• How successful were you in your previous position(s)?
• What were your targets?
• … Can you prove these?
• Who did you sell to?
• How did you generate new business?
• What were / are your average order values?
• What are your main strengths / weaknesses?
• What qualities do you have to offer this company?
• What do you know about the role?
• Do you like to work alone or as part of a team?
• What motivates you?
• Where do you see yourself in three years time?

Take this seriously - it may be embarrassing at first, but it'll be worth it. They are likely to ask whether you have any questions so be prepared with a few. Ask something intelligent like: "Are there many opportunities for training?" rather than: "Where's the nearest pub?" Whatever you do, don't just say "no" - show an interest!

Day Of the Interview
So, the big day arrives. Make sure you've found out in advance exactly where you're going and how long it will take to get there. Aim to arrive 15 minutes early to give you a chance to freshen up and compose yourself. Take copies of your CV and relevant information with you even if you don't need them - it'll look good.

Appearance is crucial - some surveys suggest that potential employers will make their minds up about you in the first 30 seconds of meeting, so dress the part. If the job is for a financial institution in the city then a suit is a must. For a job as a designer or something media-related, smart casual is fine. If in doubt, suits are rarely a mistake.

Body language is also important. Standing up straight, smiling, looking people straight in the eye and a firm handshake will go a long way towards creating the right impression. Take your time in the interview. Think about what you've been asked and answer clearly, concisely and positively. Don't get flustered if you can't answer a question - remain calm and, if necessary, ask them to clarify what you're being asked.

Think positive, you've got this far so you must be qualified for the position - you're just as good as anyone else, so show it. And whatever you do don't be late or scruffy; don't waffle; don't be opinionated or cocky; don't be put off by difficult questions; don't lie, exaggerate or complain about previous employers. These are all big interview no-nos and are likely to get you a "don't call us, we'll call you" response.

Interviews can be fun, so enjoy the attention and be confident.

Good luck

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