It is almost impossible for us to imagine getting a job offer without first going to an interview of some sort, and who would want to take a job without first meeting their boss and perhaps a few colleagues? The secret of success lies in preparation, so it's worth spending a little time doing your homework to make it a positive experience.
Good employers understand the pitfalls of interviewing such as, for example, the tendency people to recruit in their own image, but the process is slowly becoming more structured, sophisticated and fairer. Indeed, in some sectors the humble interview has been practically elevated to an art form, such as the travel industry, requiring jobseekers to sing, dance or even cook in order to better assess applicants.
Preparation
• Research the organisation and its business sector - look at the web site, read the annual report, read at least one decent broadsheet newspaper each day, quiz anyone you know who has worked there
• Carry out some pay-as-you-go desk research on what the papers say. For less than £2 you can buy an hour's worth of research time in our company and industry news directory, accessing over 5,000 information sources from the comfort of your own computer.
• Prepare answers to standard questions
• Be ready with a few questions for the interviewer which show that you have done your homework about the organisation and its business. The recruiter wants to know that you are on the ball
• Ring and check who will be interviewing you - it could throw you if, instead of the one to one you had imagined, you are faced with an interview panel of six people
• Check also the format of the interview - for example will there be any personality or skills testing?
• Dress appropriately
• Read through your CV and application letter
• Check buses/trains/parking/petrol in the car
At the interview
Do:
• Turn up on time and be nice to everyone you meet from the receptionist onwards - you never know who might have a say in your appointment.
• Make the most of your research - mention some of the facts you have gleaned from the media, etc
• Make sure you talk to everyone if it is a panel interview rather than directing your answers at one or two people only
• Find out as much as you can about the job - how else will you be able to decide if they make you an offer? For example, you should want to know who the job reports to and why it has become vacant
• If the first interview is with a recruitment consultant, pump him or her for as much information as possible about the organisation and the job
Don't:
• Be late - in fact arrive ten minutes early
• Criticise current or previous employers
• Answer a question with another question
• Interrupt the interviewers - although they may interrupt you
• Leave without finding out when you will hear if you have made it to the next round of the recruitment process, and what that entails
Source: Flight International