Interview Success

The key to a successful interview is research and preparation. The following is a guide for how you might
approach this and tips to help you make the best possible impression.

Preparation Builds Confidence job advertisement or job description. For example, if the job description
Planning – before the interview, plan for enough time to get there, have or advertisement lists teamwork, organisational skills and negotiation
directions and remember the name of the person you will be meeting skills as required competencies, then prepare example of when you have
with. displayed this skills in a previous role.

Preparation – the more you know about yourself and the skills you While workplace achievements carry more weight, you can also consider
possess, the more confident you will feel. The more you know about the other areas of your life such as sport, community activities or groups,
client, the more knowledgeable you will appear. Prepare your interview asking yourself:
responses to present an accurate and relevant profile, whilst also selling ■■ Have I taken the initiative in confronting problems, opportunities or
your skills and experience. challenges?
■■ Have I developed something?
Practice – practice your responses to interview questions. This will enable
■■ Have I identified the need for, created or designed a new program,
you to be confident and clear in your answers.
procedure, service or product?
■■ Have I participated in any technical contribution?
Research
■■ Have I been involved in any administrative or procedural
Take the time to find out about the company’s history, performance and
recommendations?
organisational structure. You will almost certainly be asked why you want to
■■ Have I resolved a panic situation?
work there or what you know about the company. Find out as much as you
■■ Have I dealt with difficult people?
can about the company’s market, their product, how they operate etc.
■■ Have I organised something?
If possible, it is also useful to find out a little about the background of
the interviewer and how they fit into the company structure. This can Preparing Answers & Questions
usually be provided by your Consultant, based on their relationship with You cannot possibly prepare for or know the questions you will be asked.
the client. Alternatively you can use online tools such as linkedin to However, you can prepare for almost any question by running through
research your interviewer prior to meeting with them. our listing of interview questions on page 2. Review these questions and
think about how you would respond, using example from your work or
If you can use or demonstrate your knowledge to the interviewer, it shows
personal life.
a genuine desire to work for that company specifically.
You should also arm yourself with questions of your own, including
Self assessment questions formulated from your research. Write down these questions and
The interviewer will want to know what sort of person you are in terms of take them to the interview. See page 3 for suggested questions.
your values, attitudes, skills and abilities.
Active Listening
One of the most important preparatory exercises you can do is to prepare
Many people believe that they should be a passive responder, who gives
an extensive list of your achievements. Achievements include problems
all the control to the interviewer.
you have overcome, issues you have addressed or demands you have
faced, where your action lead to a problem resolution or value being In reality, everyone in an interview is both an interviewer and interviewee
added in some way to overcome the demand or issue. at the same time. You can help turn the interview into a more of a
conversation and communicate your interests by employing active
Interviewers are increasingly following the ‘behavioural’ or ‘targeted
listening techniques. Remember also that an interview is as much an
selection’ approach, where you are asked for past examples of when you
opportunity for you to assess if the role is right for you, as it is for the
overcame problems, addressed issues or met demands. You can prepare
employer to assess if you are right for the role.
the competencies you are likely to be questioned on by reviewing the

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Always seek clarification on question you don’t understand as it What are your strengths? (The interviewer wants a straight forward
conveys a powerful message in that you are trying to understand the answer as to what you are good at and how it is going to add value).
role and expectations. The better you understand the position, through
How to answer: This is one question you will certainly be asked, so
questioning and clarification, the better your capacity to selectively recall
there is no excuse for being unprepared. Concentrate on discussing your
and respond with relevant material, including your past achievements,
main strengths. List three or four with explanations to demonstrate how
in relation to the position’s requirements. Remember, you should never
they could benefit the potential employer. Strengths to consider include
interrupt the interviewer.
technical proficiency, ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed,
positive attitude, team focus and your ability to work autonomously.
Common Interview Questions
Below are some common interview questions asked by the interviewer What are your greatest weaknesses? (The interviewer is asking about
with some tips as to what they are looking for in your response. your self-perception and self-awareness).

Tell me about yourself (The interviewer is really saying “I want to hear How to answer: This is another standard question for which you should be
you talk”). well prepared. Don’t say that you don’t have any. We all have weaknesses.
Either use a professional weakness such as a lack of experience (not
How to answer: Spend a maximum of five minutes to describe your
ability) on your part in one area which is not vital for the job, or use a
qualification, career history and your range of kills. Emphasise those skills
personal weakness and show the steps you have taken to combat it. An
that are relevant to the job on offer.
example would be, “I’m not very good at delegating, but I’m learning
What have been your achievements to date? (The interviewer is saying to pass work on to colleagues by sitting down on a weekly basis and
“Are you an achiever?). splitting the workload”.

How to answer: Again this is a common question so be prepared. Select What decisions do you find most difficult? (The interviewer is really
an achievement that is recent. Identify skills used in the achievement and saying “I need someone who is strong and decisive, but who has a human
quantify the benefit. side”).

Are you happy with your career to date? (The interviewer is really asking How to answer: Try to focus on decisions you have made without
about your self confidence, your career aspirations and whether you are sufficient information. This will show your positive side. For example,
a positive person). “ I like to make decisions based on sufficient information and having
alternatives. When I have to make decisions relying on gut feeling, I find
How to answer: The answer must be ‘yes’ but if you have hit a career
this a challenge”.
plateau or feel that you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify
the answer. Why do you want to leave your current employer? (The interviewer is
trying to understand and evaluate your motives for moving).
Tell me the most difficult situation you had to face and how you tackled
it? (The interviewer is really trying to find out your definition of “difficult” How to answer: This should be straightforward. State how you are looking
and whether you can show a logical approach to problem solving). for more challenge, responsibility, experience and a change of environment
and to explain why you are no longer receiving these things from your
How to answer: Select a difficult work situation that was not caused by
current role. For example, “I have been with my company for four years
you. Explain how you defined the problem and what solutions you applied
and feel I have learnt as much about their x function as possible and there
to overcome the problem.
is no opportunity for a more senior role at present”.
What do you dislike about your current role? (The interviewer is trying
to find out whether the job on offer has responsibilities you will dislike). Other questions to consider:
■■ Can you tell me what experience you have had which is relevant to
How to answer: Be careful with this one. One approach is to choose a
this role?
characteristic of your present company such has its size, its slow decision
■■ What do you feel is necessary to be successful in this job?
making process etc. Give your answer with the air of someone who takes
■■ Why do you want to work for this company?
problems and frustrations in your stride, as part of your job. Do not
■■ How do you respond to working under pressure? (Meaning – can you?)
disparage your current employer in your answer. Also, don’t say that there
Give examples.
is nothing that you don’t like and make sure it’s not something which is
■■ How have you coped when your work has been criticised? (Give an
part of the role you have applied for.
example including the outcome).

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■■ How have you coped when you have had to face a conflict of ■■ Where is the company going? Expansion plans?
interest at work? (Testing interpersonal skills, team and leadership ■■ What sort of people have done well in the company?
opportunities). ■■ What advanced training programs are available to those who
■■ What are your preferred working conditions, working alone or in a demonstrate outstanding ability?
group and why?
■■ What are you looking for in the company? Do’s and Don’ts
■■ How do you measure your own performance? Do:
■■ What do you like most about your type of work? ■■ Prepare and research in advance.
■■ Why should I give this position to you instead of other people on the ■■ Be on time. Arrive 10-15 minutes before the interview.
shortlist? (Strengths). ■■ Ensure your appearance and grooming is immaculate.
■■ What would your previous employer say about you and what would ■■ Dress appropriately and err on the conservative side.
they consider your weaknesses? ■■ Offer a good hand shake.
■■ How do you cope with stress? ■■ Sit upright in your chair.
■■ Tell me about a situation where you have failed or made mistakes. ■■ Be yourself and feel confident.
How did you cope and what did you learn? ■■ Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. In a panel situation,
■■ What are your long-range goals and your long term work plans? maintain eye contact with the person who asked you the question.
■■ If I were to employ you, how long could we expect you to stay? ■■ Given examples for anything you say – where did you get these skills?
■■ What do you know about our company? How have you used them? What were the outcomes?
■■ What type of technical environments have you worked in? ■■ Listen carefully for what has been said and ask for clarity if you don’t
■■ Do you work well with people? What kind of people do you find understand the question.
difficult to work with? ■■ Phrase all your responses positively.
■■ Are you flexible? Give an example that best illustrates this. ■■ Always be polite and courteous.
■■ Can you give an example that best highlights your leadership style? ■■ Ask questions as it shows that you are interested in the role. Keep the
■■ Describe a time that you took a pro-active approach to an issue or questions clear and simple.
problem. ■■ End on a positive. Thank the interviewer for their time and the
opportunity.
Asking Questions
Don’t:
This will demonstrate your preparedness, some systematic thinking and
■■ Arrive late or reschedule at the last minute.
will imply enthusiasm and career motivation. An interview is also a “two
■■ Smoke before or during the interview.
way street”. You must also determine through your questions whether the
■■ Fidget in your chair.
company will give you the opportunity for the growth and development
■■ Interrupt the interviewer.
you are looking for.
■■ Lie or exaggerate your skills or experience.
We recommend you consider using some of the following questions: ■■ Criticise your last or current place of employment.
■■ What do you see as the main challenges facing someone in this role? ■■ Give away confidential information about your previous employer.
■■ What is most pressing and what would you see done in the short or ■■ Ask questions related to salary and benefits (your Consultant will
medium term? confirm these will you).
■■ Why has the position become vacant? ■■ Be overbearing, aggressive, conceited or arrogant.
■■ What is the anticipated training and induction program? ■■ Overdo the fragrance, make-up, jewellery or trendy clothes.
■■ How is performance measured?
■■ Will goals be clearly defined? And how does this occur?
■■ How does the role fit into the structure of the department?
■■ What is the company’s culture?
■■ What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
■■ Who are your customers? What are your best selling products or
services?

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Closing the interview
Make sure you understand the next steps and you may ask the interviewer
when they plan to make a decision. If you are interested in the role, let
the interviewer know you are really interested and that if they were to
offer you the role you would accept. Thank the interviewer for their time
and for considering you.

Following up
Call your Consultant immediately after the interview and let them know
how you feel you went. If you are interested in the role, this will assist
your Consultant when they are speaking with the interviewer.

A politely drafted email to your interviewer thanking them for their time
can work wonders in the decision process. However, always discuss with
your Consultant first as it may not be appropriate for your interviewer.
Under no circumstance should you telephone your interviewer directly to
gain feedback. Your Consultant is better placed to obtain this on your
behalf.

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