HRcareers

Interview Tips

So, you got the interview. Well done. Now that the initial rush of excitement has died down you need to make sure it’s an opportunity to meet your prospective colleagues, rather than an ordeal to overcome.

• Before the interview
• Preparing for the interview
• Creating an impression
• At the interview
• Ask questions
• A two-way street
• Salary
• Prime your referees

Back to Jobseeker Tips

Before the interview
Make sure you have the time and location of the interview and that you know who to ask for when you arrive. If you’ve never been to the location before, do a practice run. Nothing will make you more nervous than running late.

Get the names and job titles of the people you’ll be meeting. Do they include the role’s line manager or is it a screening interview with HR? Ask how long will the interview will last and if you’ll be expected to do anything else, like psychometric or aptitude tests.

A few days before, make sure that whatever you plan to wear is clean and pressed. Unless you have been specifically told otherwise, assume that corporate dress is expected.

Finally, get a contact number just in case.

Preparing for the interview
Firstly, prepare for an interview. An interview is not a routine meeting but a chance to start afresh. Your attitude should be positive and your perspective objective. Clear your mind of day-to-day work frustrations and focus on your career as whole. Think about your aims for the future but also remind yourself why you got into the career in the first place.

Next, research the company. Read the company’s website, paying particular attention to their values, goals and long-term strategy. Next, search the web and the article archives of newspapers and trade publications for mentions of the company. If you can find them, it will really help to talk to someone who has worked for or with the organisation and find out first-hand what their culture is like. Also, if you’ve been given the names of the interviewers, do an internet search for them. Are they on record as having particular opinions?

Revisit the role profile and make sure you have examples of how you meet all the criteria. Practice the explanations of your successes out loud so you get used to telling the details concisely.

Importantly, if you are looking for a new job because you’ve tired of your current one, make sure you focus on the positives of the situation. “I’ve achieved all I can in this position” will come across much better than “I’m frustrated”.

Creating an impression
Remember that what you say is only part of the interview. The other part is creating the impression of someone the interviewers would want to work with. That will come from a combination of many factors: how you are dressed, how eager you appear, your body language, whether you seem too serious or not serious enough.

• Try to appear that you are interested in the job but that if they tell you “no”, it won’t be the end of your world.
• Try on the outfit you intend to wear a few days before. Ask a friend of family member for an honest opinion. If you’re not comfortable with what you’re wearing it may come across as nerves.
• When you meet the interviewers, make eye contact, smile and shake hands firmly.
• Sit up straight and make eye contact with whoever you are speaking to.
• Make sure you speak clearly but calmly.
• Be yourself. If you are trying to project an image of something you are not then, unless you are an excellent actor, it will be obvious. You’re more likely to give a good impression if you behave naturally.

At the interview
Listen to the introductions and remember who’s who. Tailor your answers accordingly. Senior executives will be interested in your results, whereas your line manager will also be interested in how you attain them.

Some people find that because the interviewers will have notepad in front of them, that it helps psychologically to also have something on the table. If you think it will help, take a copy of your CV or any items that you have produced in the course of your work.

Be positive. Each question is an opportunity to show what you can do, not an obstacle you need to overcome. Show them what you have achieved in the past and what you could achieve in the future.

Sell yourself. You may not feel 100% comfortable with talking-up your successes, but you can guarantee another candidate will, and they may not be as good as you. Give your potential employer the best possible picture of yourself.

Give credit. Teamwork is a vital part of most jobs and showing that you know how to involve those around you to best effect will do you no harm.

Be modest: nobody likes a motor-mouthed know-all. Make sure you differentiate between your opinions, your beliefs and what you know to be fact. “I see your point but I have always found…” is far better than “no, that’s not right”.

Interviewers may use negative questions to see how you respond to pressure. Be upbeat. Everyone has weaknesses but the trick is to show that yours are temporary and that have addressed or are addressing them. Also show that you have many more strengths than weaknesses.

Ask questions
Finally, remember that an interview is a two-way street. The employer is trying to find out about you but this is also your opportunity to find out what they are like. Don’t be shy to ask the occasional question during the interview. For example, if you are being asked about your experience with IT systems, there would be nothing wrong with asking what systems they currently use. Their answer would help you answer the original question better, but would also give you some insight into the company.

When it comes to the time when they ask if you have any questions, you should definitely take the opportunity. Make sure you have thought about what’s important to you, what sort of company you want to work for, and have questions ready. Some areas you might want to explore include:

• Organisational culture
• Promotion prospects
• Development opportunities
• Working arrangements (eg flexible hours, working from home)
• Non-salary staff benefits (eg private health cover, subsidised restaurant)
• Why is the job available? (ie did someone quit or were they fired / new role etc)

A two-way street
Some employers aren’t right for you. It could be that this employer is one of them and their behaviour at the interview or responses to your questions might tell you that. If that happens, remember that you have every right to turn down any offer they make.

Salary
Tough one. To ask about salary too early can give the wrong impression but, for many of us, salary is a deal-maker or deal-breaker. However, it’s probably best not to mention salary before they do, lest you appear money-motivated.

When the subject does come up, it’s preferable to find out what the employer is willing to pay before stating what you think you’re worth. When it comes to your turn:

• Make sure you know what the going rate is. Check salaries on job listings, use our salary survey and talk to your recruitment agency (if you’re using one).
• Be honest. If you can’t make ends meet on less than $xx,000 then say so.
• Remember it’s a two-way street. If an employer is going to pay you less than you’re worth, do you really need their job?

Prime your referees
Once you know there’s a job offer imminent, phone your referees to let them know and ask your future employer to hold fire until you’ve spoken to everyone. Having a former boss caught by surprise and not fully remembering who you are could be trouble.

With your current employer, it’s time to break the news that you’re leaving. Do it in person, behind closed doors if possible. Be honest about reasons for leaving and make it clear to them that you really want this new job and that it’s a great opportunity.

If you are leaving because of a conflict with your present manager and you don’t feel they would give you a fair appraisal, ask another colleague at their level if they would mind providing a reference. However, you should only do this if your new employer has been made aware of and understands the situation.