Interview Advice
Congratulations on securing an interview. This means that your prospective employer has read your resume and likes the look of your skills, work experience and education. They are now interested in meeting with you to discuss your background in more depth and assess your interpersonal skills.
The interview is your chance to convince the employer that you are the best person for the position and would be an asset to their organisation.
Your Lawson Elliott consultant will brief you on the interview details such as the format, name and position of interviewer(s), address, and expectations.
To give yourself the best possible chance of doing well in the interview you must do your homework on the company and its people. Remember - the more prepared you are, the more relaxed you will find yourself.
Preparation tips:
- Be thoroughly familiar with your resume – particularly dates, titles, responsibilities and achievements
- Read the job description and identify key areas of responsibility that the client may question
- Research the company’s website comprehensively
- Research recent news articles on the company – use the internet, trade magazines and newspapers
- Learn and understand the company’s values and mission statement
- Learn who the company’s key competitors are and research the industry to ascertain key topics and current issues or trends
- Think of intelligent questions to ask to give you a better understanding of the position and/or the company
- Rehearse and practise answering AND asking questions. Do this out loud with another person, have them ask questions and answer them as you would in an interview
- Remember, your Lawson Elliott Recruitment consultant is there to help you, so ask them anything you may be unsure about
Creating a good first impression is vital. Keeping up that good impression is just as important.
Presentation tips:
- Dress appropriately - it is essential to wear conservative business attire to an interview
- Ensure that you are well groomed - from head (neat hair) to toe (polished shoes)
- Don't smoke or drink alcohol immediately before the interview
- Be prepared for bad weather - avoid arriving soaked in rain or sweat
- Maintain a confident posture - sit up-right and don't fidget
It is important to be confident, motivated and enthusiastic. The employer will be looking for you to display energy and to be positive. Perform well in the interview and you will be a step closer to landing the job.
Interview tips:
- Arrive five to ten minutes before the scheduled interview time. This is plenty of time to show them that you are keen. Avoid running late or turning up too early
- Turn your phone off
- Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm, confident handshake
- Speak clearly, and project your voice towards the interviewer(s)
- Keep eye contact with the interviewer as you listen and speak – it shows confidence, interest and enables you to read their body language
- Listen carefully to the questions
- Don’t interrupt or cut short the interviewer when they are speaking
- Give thorough, in depth answers. Never give one word answers
- Avoid talking negatively about past employers
- Have positive reasons for leaving past roles
- Don’t feel embarrassed when talking through your strengths and achievements. Be proud!
- If you are not sure about a question, ask the interviewer to clarify it
- Ask the interviewer some intelligent questions about the role and company
- At the conclusion of the interview, reiterate that the role and company are something you are interested in and ask what the next stage is
- Always end on a positive note
Immediately after the interview please call your Lawson Elliott Recruitment consultant to provide your feedback about the interview. This is a chance for you to discuss how you felt you went, areas of the role/firm that you liked, any difficult questions you were asked and your overall feelings towards the role.
Your consultant will then be able to contact the employer with this feedback, showing them that you are organised and enthusiastic about the role.
It is also very useful to write down your thoughts after an interview, so that you can refer to them later on. A pro’s and con’s list is always a good place to start.
- Preparation, preparation, preparation!
- First impressions count - take care of your personal presentation
- Be positive and confident in your communication
- Prepare intelligent questions to ask
- Most importantly, enjoy the experience