Interview tips from Business Week (link forgotten)
You've prepared your resume and covering letter, and you've been offered an interview. What happens now?
If you put the covering letter and resume together yourself, you've already helped people
develop an idea of the sort of person you are, and they obviously like what they see so far. You now have to capitalise on the goodwill you've developed.
Preparation
Research the organisation, its operations and its reputation as an employer by sourcing information from:
• the organisation's website, annual report and other promotional material
• campus career services
• libraries
• the professional body
• recruitment consultancy
• the internet
• family and friends
Useful information also is available in publications such as Graduate Opportunities, Business Who's Who, Kompass Australia, BRW and Jobson's Year Book.
Once you know more about the organisation, prepare some questions you want to ask, such as:
• Why is the position available?
• What training and induction will be given to new recruits?
• What opportunities are there for personal and professional development?
• What are the company's plans for the future?
• What attributes do you expect the successful candidate to bring to the job?
• When can I expect to hear from you?
Presentation
You'll never have a second chance to make a good first impression, so look, act and dress professionally. As a general guide, job applicants should dress according to the workplace, which generally will be corporate and conservative and that means a suit and tie, or skirt and jacket.
Be prepared to promote yourself - highlight your skills and achievements. Your resume and interview are the only opportunities you have to impress a potential employer, so you need to tell them why you are suited to the job.
The interview
Once inside the interview room, first impressions are critical. Research shows that a candidate will make an impression on a potential employer within the first eight seconds. The rest of the interview is spent confirming the first impression or turning it around.
It's also important to remember that what you don't say is just as important as what you do say. Try to relax and act naturally. Sit up straight, lean forward slightly to convey your interest and always maintain good eye contact with the interviewer or panel.
Treat the interview as a two-way discussion. The interviewer wants to know more about you and you need to find out more about the position and the company.
In summary:
• be respectful but not intimidated
• be ready to answer questions that might be 'difficult'
• be ready to let them know what you are looking for
• answer questions honestly, directly and stick to the point
• if you're not sure about a question, ask the interviewer to rephrase it.
Never:
• look disinterested
• interrupt
• smoke, even if the interviewer does
There are various styles of interviews so be prepared for anything! Assessment centres are increasingly the way that companies recruit as they provide a way of assessing how people interact, and probably give the jobseeker a much better insight into the company and the job. The best advice for succeeding in an assessment centre is to try and relax, focus on your communication style and enjoy it!
Frequently asked questions
Some questions will be asked in every interview and you should prepare some answers on the following subject areas to avoid reciting a precise answer. Typical questions include:
Your general background and experience.
Often the first question is a request for a summary of your background. If you're applying for your first job, focus on extracurricular activities, education and qualifications. It is quite acceptable to repeat major points listed in your resume or cover letter.
Why do you think you are qualified for this position?
In this context, qualifications mean everything that you believe makes you suitable for the position, including educational, employment related and personal qualifications. This could be the question that will win you the job, so your answer should be clear and memorable.
Why do you think you are suitable for the position?
This is where your research pays off. Your answer should include details about relevant employment, community or educational experience and a discussion on why this experience will suit the organisation, the industry it operates in and the position.
Why did you apply for this position?
If applying for your first job, your answer should describe what you find appealing about the position, how you prepared yourself for a career in the organisation and how you believe any part time job you currently or previously held equips you for the position.
How does this job fit with your career objectives?
Be ready to discuss your long term aspirations. The best approach is one that shows you have thought about your career in these terms and have taken some action towards realising your ambitions.
The trick question
There is always one question that prompts a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, so expect it and plan how to deal with it. Take your time to respond - the interviewers want you to do well so should be more than happy to give you the time you need. If you get really stuck, ask for a moment to consider your response, or ask to come back to it later.
Other questions you may be asked:
• What job would you like if you had a choice?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• Why do you want to be a (job title)?
• How do you cope under pressure. Please give us an example of how you coped with pressure.
• What is your strongest attribute?
• What are your greatest achievements so far?
• What objectives did you set yourself at the beginning of your career or study?
• Have you achieved those objectives?
• What interests you most/least about (this job)?
• Describe your own personality.
• Describe a situation where you have contributed to the success of your team.
• Give an example of a difficult task you have completed.
• Describe how you have overcome a communication problem.
• What are your spare time activities?
Most of us dread interviews - including the interviewer. Make sure you have done all you can to be fully prepared, then relax and be yourself. Don't forget the employer needs to convince you that they have the best job available!
After the interview
Go over in your mind how things went. What worked, what did not? How could you have been better prepared? Did you dress appropriately?
Someone will call you to tell you if you've been successful or not. If you didn't get the job, you've absolutely nothing to lose by asking if there is any advice on how you could improve. You may be surprised what you learn.
Good luck
