How to survive an interview

The short time you spend in an interview could have a dramatic effect on your career prospects. It is therefore important that
you perform well, because no matter how good your career record is to date, the interview remains key towards fulfilling your
ambitions.

These tips, combined with the guidance provided by our consultants, will equip you with valuable information on how to conduct
yourself during interviews.

Be prepared to answer questions such as:

• Why did you choose this particular role?

• What do you really want to do in your next career move?
• Why would you like to work for this firm/company specifically?
• What do you want from your career? Why?
• What style of management brings out the best in you?
• What interests you about our products or services?
• What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held? Which did you enjoy most and why?
• What is your major weakness? What have you done about overcoming it?
• What do you think determines a person’s progress in a good firm/company?
• Give an example of a difficult situation you experienced at work and how you overcame it.
• Give an example of where you went out of your way to help a colleague.
• Is there anything you do not like about your current job? Why?
• What does ‘teamwork’ mean to you?
• Are you willing to relocate?
• How do you spend your spare time? What are your hobbies?
• What type of books do you read? What was the last one?
• Who else are you applying to/interviewing with?

Negative factors to watch for

During the course of an interview the employer will be evaluating both your positive and your negative traits. Listed below are
negative factors frequently evaluated during the course of an interview and those that most often lead to rejection:

• Poor personal appearance.

• Overbearing or aggressive, conceited superiority complex, or know-it-all personality.
• Inability to express thoughts clearly and poor diction or grammar.
• Lack of career planning with no purpose or goals.
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm, passive and indifferent demeanour.
• Lack of confidence or signs of nervousness.
• Over-emphasis on benefits or salary.
• Evasive and makes excuses for unfavourable factors in record.
• Lack of tact and courtesy.
• Over-critical comments of previous employers.
• Failure to maintain eye contact.
• Limp or too firm a handshake.
• Poor posture.
• Lack of appreciation of the value of experience.
• ‘What can you do for me’ attitude.
• Lack of preparation for interview or failure to obtain information about the company.
• Overbearing perfume, aftershave or smell of smoke.
• Lack of intelligent and intuitive questions.
How to survive an interview

Interview preparation
Preparation is the first essential step towards a successful interview. Interviewers are continually amazed at the number of
applicants who drift into their offices without any apparent preparation and only the vaguest idea of what they are going to say. It
is important to:

• Know the exact place and time of the interview, the interviewer’s full name, the correct pronunciation and their title.
• Dress conservatively and preferably in darker colours, paying attention to all facets of your dress and grooming.
• Ensure complete understanding of the firm/company you are going to see. It is essential to conduct thorough research
(and not simply the profiles of the partners or HR manager you are meeting). Look out for all relevant additional information
including newsworthy items. Also, talk to friends or colleagues that work(ed) at the firm/company, read through press
releases highlighting recent wins and clients.
• Refresh your memory on the facts and figures of your present or former employer. You will be expected to know a lot about
the firm/company for which you currently or previously worked.
• Read through and know your CV inside out, including highlights and/or challenges overcome in relation to each project/deal.
• Prepare the questions you will ask during the interview. The employer will try to determine through questioning if you have the
qualifications necessary to do the job, and you must determine whether the firm/company will give you the opportunity for the
growth and development you seek. Probing questions you might ask include:
• Is there a detailed description of the position? What is the structure of the team and why is the position available?
• What is the culture of the firm/company?
• What is the anticipated induction and training programme?
• What sort of people have done well?
• Are there advanced training programmes available for those who demonstrate outstanding ability?
• What are the earnings of successful people in years three to five?
• What are the firm’s/company’s growth plans?
• Do you anticipate much client interaction?
• What sort of work has the team been involved in?

The next step

You are being interviewed because the interviewer wants to hire somebody, not because they want to trip you up or embarrass
you. Your CV has impressed the interviewer, and now you need to support this in your performance at the interview.

Through the interaction that takes place during the interview, the interviewer will be searching out your strong and weak points,
evaluating you on your qualifications, skills and intellectual qualities. They will probably probe deeply to determine your attitudes,
aptitudes, stability and motivation.

DOs and DON’Ts

Here is a checklist of things you should and shouldn’t do during an interview:

• DO arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
• DO fill in the application form neatly and completely, if you are presented with one. If you have a personal CV, be sure the
person you release it to is the person who will actually do the hiring.
• DO greet the interviewer by surname if you are sure of the pronunciation. If you are not, ask them to repeat it.
• DO shake hands confidently and firmly.
• DO wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair. Look alert and interested at all times.
• DO be a good listener as well as a good talker, and remember to smile.
• DO look a prospective employer in the eye.
How to survive an interview

• DO follow the interviewer’s leads but try to get them to describe the position and the duties to you early in the interview so
that you can relate your background and skills to the position.
• DO ensure that your strengths are transmitted to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone
can sell yourself to an interviewer. Make them realise the need for you in their organisation.
• DO be prepared to answer technical questions. Hopefully you will know the answers but if not DON’T guess. If you are
unsure, then be honest and say, “that is beyond my experience but this is where I would go to find the answer” or “I haven’t
encountered this situation before, however, if a client were to ask me what I would do is...”
• DO include all the interviewers present, even if one of them is more of an observer. Their opinion on you will be sought after
the interview.
• DO conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the specific job you are discussing, even when applying for a number of
roles. It is better to be in the position where you can choose from a number of options rather than only one.
• DON’T answer questions with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Offer an explanation whenever possible, giving succinct, practical
examples. Tell those things about yourself which relate to the position.
• DON’T lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as directly as possible.
• DON’T make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies.
• DON’T enquire about salary, holidays, bonuses, at the initial interview unless you are positive the employer is interested in
hiring you and raises the issue first. However, you should know your market value and be prepared to specify your required
salary or range.

Closing the interview

• If you are interested in the position, ask for it. Ask for the next interview if the situation demands. If the position is offered to
you, and you want it, accept on the spot (subject to salary and contractual discussions). If you wish some time to think it over,
be courteous and tactful in asking for that time. Set a definite date when you can provide an answer.
• Don’t be too discouraged if a definite offer is not made, or specific salary discussed. It is usual for the interviewer to want to
communicate with their office first or interview more applicants before making a decision.
• If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, don’t let your
discouragement show. Once in a while an interviewer who is genuinely interested in your possibilities may seem to
discourage you in order to test your reaction.
• Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration of you. You have done all you can if you have answered the questions
uppermost in the interviewer’s mind, which are:
• Why are you interested in the job and the company?
• What can you offer and can you do the job?

Following the interview

Lastly and most importantly, call the consultant who referred you to the position after the interview and explain what happened.
They will want to talk with you and run through your initial feedback before the interviewer calls them back.

If you are interested in progressing further it will help if your feelings towards the position are known, together with your
perception of what the interviewer’s reaction is likely to be.