A well prepared Candidate is a successful Candidate
The interview is where the real selling takes place. Very few positions
are filled based on a resume alone, so you need to be as impressive
in person as you are on paper.
Interviews come after a Team Executive Consultants' Client has
been made aware, through our report or our verbal discussions, of
your skills and abilities. Our Client's aim is to recruit the most
suitable Employees, not to 'trip you up' during the interview process.
As the Candidate you must understand that the Client has to decide,
within a short space of time, if you can make a valuable contribution
to their business. The time you have, as the Candidate, is very
short and first impressions really do count. (You do not get a second
chance to make a first impression!).
So here are some useful tips to help you in the Interview process:
- Presentation and Appearance:
Ideally, a business suit should be worn. Clean shoes, (remember
the heels!), clean finger nails and clean well groomed hair.
If wearing a black or very dark suit, make sure there is no
dandruff or specks of fluff on the shoulder.
- Timing:
Work out your route, ideally go the day before your interview
so you know exactly where your interview will take place. Arrive
early, no more than 10 minutes, and enter the premises about
5 minutes before the agreed interview time. (Remember it is
better to be half an hour early than half a minute late).
- Greeting:
A firm (but not bone crunching) handshake with a big smile
will do wonders when you first meet your Interviewer. Some small
chit chat from the Reception area to the Interview Room will
also help. These are the vital seconds (not minutes) in making
your first impression.
- Refreshments:
If offered a drink this can help and can be used as a prop
to perhaps give you some time to answer a difficult question.
By accepting a drink it does show that you are fairly confident
and reasonably relaxed providing your hand is not shaking when
you try to take a drink!
- Answering Questions:
There are a set of standard questions that may be asked at
an interview. What you do in your present role? Your level of
responsibility? Who you report to? What is your business relationship
with your current Superior? And the most important question
of all, 'Why do you want to leave?' This question may be asked
of the previous positions you have held.
Remember, the Interviewer is not trying to 'trip you up' but
is endeavouring to find out if your experience, skills and personality
will fit the position available.
- Asking Questions:
Your Team Executive Consultant will have given you a good background
on the Client and the position you will be interviewed for.
However, you should still ask some questions at the interview
and these may include questions in relation to training, career
development, why the position is available or even more details
about the role and the position's Supervisor.
A question could start 'In looking at your website….'
- The Interviewer:
Remember the Interviewer has to 'sell' the position and the
Organisation to you! You should ask if they enjoy working for
the Organisation, how long they have been with the Firm/Company
and if you were successful in being offered the position, how
much interaction you would have with the Interviewer.
- Your Sales Pitch:
If you like the sound of the job, the Firm/Company, the Interviewer
and you want the job - 'tell them'! Also, immediately after
the Interview, speak to your contact at Team Executive Consultants
and brief them about the interview. Tell your Consultant how
you felt the interview went and the sooner you do this the quicker
your Consultant can contact the Client on your behalf and re-affirm
your interest in the role. If offered the position during the
interview, take it, but leave the salary negotiating to Team
Executive Consultants. That is what we are here to do for you.
- Mobile Phones:
Before entering the Client's building, SWITCH IT OFF! Better
still, if travelling by car, leave your phone in the Glove Box!
- Respect Interviewer's Space:
Never put your briefcase / handbag on the Interviewer's desk
or table. Do not take a file or notepad and place on the desk
or table! The Interviewer will have a full report on your background
and any further information can be gained through Team Executive
Consultants after the interview. Remember the Interviewer will
only be asking about the details in your C.V. and you should
know what you have done! You will remember clearly what the
Interviewer has told you without the need for you to take notes.
- Be Prepared for Unusual Questions:
Finally there are a few Interviewers who sometimes ask what
is nowadays referred to as 'Killer Questions'.
The outdated 'Where will you be in five years time?' question
that is usually asked by incompetent Interviewers has been replaced
with 'Tell me something about yourself that you have never told
anyone' or 'How would you nail jelly to the ceiling? or 'What
was the last thing you bought and why?' or 'Jaffa Cake - cake
or biscuit?'
These questions are really designed to test a Candidate's ability
to think on their feet as there is no right or wrong answer,
just inappropriate ones. However, most Psychologists believe
these questions are asked by bad Interviewers and the statistics
bear this out. Asking 'Why do you want this job?' or 'What are
your strengths and weaknesses?' are hypothetical questions which
get hypothetical answers.
Interviewers who stick to the past experience approach usually
get the right Candidate but some 'Killer Questions' still come
up to test the reaction under pressure of the Candidate.
- Never Give Up:
There is a position for you somewhere. You are unlikely to be
offered all the positions you apply for and sometimes, when you
feel you are perfect for the role and do not get an offer, it
can become very disappointing. You must never give up and always
ask your Consultant for some feedback. This will help you improve
your interview skills for that next important meeting.
Should you require any further assistance, contact
us to make an appointment, and we'll help you develop interview
techniques that will win you the job.
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