Tempest Consultancy

 INTERVIEW TIPS      (Click to print and save this in MSword.) 

Before attending an interview find out as much as you can about the employer and the job you have applied for.      Ask the customer relations or personnel department if they have detailed job descriptions or company information packs. As an alternative try to find someone you can talk to who either works or has recently worked for the company. Libraries may have information or past newspapers may have featured stories on it or its staff. The internet is probably the biggest resource used today to find out information about a company and how it wants to be seen by its customers / clients.

Find out information like:

• What the company produces
• Who are their customers
• The financial history of the company

Planning for an interview is all-important. The main points to cover are:

Will it be a first interview - if so it may be a personnel officer who conducts it - this may mean it will be less detailed

If it is a subsequent interview or a first interview conducted by your prospective line manager it may be more detailed.

If there is a psychometric or other test - find out beforehand

Make sure you have extra copies of your CV with you at the interview

Dress conservatively

Be aware of body language and make regular eye contact

At the end of the interview, make sure you know what the next step is and when the employer expects to make a decision

Don't be afraid to admit to mistakes. But make sure you explain how you learned from them;
Rehearse your interview with someone close to you. Get feedback on how you perform

Try to arrive early - on time is ok - but NEVER late!

Prepare your own questions. This will show your knowledge and enthusiasm for the job.

Below are some questions you may be asked at an interview.

1. Why do you want to work here? Mention

Good reputation of the firm

Any other positive information you have about the firm, e.g. their training record

It will give you a chance to do work which interests you.

2. Why did you leave your last job?

Explain briefly and honestly the reasons why your last job ended. If there is anything positive to say, say it, e.g. If you left for health reasons point out that you are now fit and reassure the employer that you can do the duties required, or, if you were dismissed, that you take responsibility for your actions and have learnt from the experience.

3. What did you do in your last job? Describe:

Skills and duties relevant to new job

machines/equipment used

your responsibilities

people you dealt with

how long you were there

if you were promoted

4. Why have you had a) so many jobs? b) Only one job? Mention:

You wanted to widen your experience in different types of work / firms. Many of the jobs were temporary. You would rather be in work than out of work.

You had several different jobs within your last employment. The opportunity to develop. Their good record in training and development.

5. How do you get on with people?

Describe how you have previously worked as part of a team

Mention your ability to get on with people at all levels

Give examples

6. What makes a good team player? Describe the skills required e.g.

good communication

flexibility

adaptability

co-operation

sense of humour

7. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

They should already know your strengths from your Application Form / CV or they would not be interviewing you, but if they ask about any weaknesses:

Start by describing parts of your last job that you found testing but explain how you overcame these problems.

Be fairly brief but honest, e.g. "I can sometimes be a little too enthusiastic" Note: Employers value people who can admit their mistakes rather than blaming their failings on others.

8. What would you like to be doing in five years time?

Explain that although you cannot guarantee anything you’d ideally like to have progressed in the same company and gained more responsibility and skills.

9. What wage do you expect to earn?

If the wage level is negotiable - be prepared to negotiate. The dilemma is "where to pitch your bid?" Too high, you could price yourself out. Too low, you could lose out. Before going to the interview find out about wage levels in the company and compare them with your current needs.

10. How often were you absent from your last job?

If rarely - say so

If absence has been a problem - explain why and reassure the employer that you are now completely fit or the problem will not recur.

11. When would you be available to start?

As soon as possible! Do not put any barriers in the way.

12. Do you have any questions?

You may like to prepare for this - it is almost always asked at the interview. You could ask:

Why is the job vacant? If someone has left the position vacant then did they leave and where did they go? (what kind of job would this position lead to?)

Who would I report to?

What training will I do, if any?

What would my first job be?

Does the company carry out Job Reviews? If yes - how often?

How soon will I hear about the result of my application?                                                     back to top

You are being interviewed because the interviewer wants to fill a vacancy. Through the interaction which will take place, the interviewer will be assessing your strengths and weaknesses. In addition, specific characteristics will be probed such as attitude, aptitude, stability, motivation and maturity.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Why did you choose a career in accountancy?

Why do you want to leave your current position?

What are you looking for in a new job?

Why do you want to work for our organisation?

What interests you about our product / service?

What do you bring to your job / organisation?

What have your achievements been so far?

Where would you like to be in five / ten / twenty years time?

What are the ‘three adjectives’ that you feel best describe yourself?

What are the ‘three adjectives’ that your friends / work colleagues / boss would use to describe you?

What has been your biggest failing / disappointment to date?

What is the most useful piece of constructive criticism that you have received?

Describe a situation when you have been out of your depth?

What has been the most difficult situation you have faced both at work and socially, and how did you deal with the situation?

What are your strengths / weaknesses?

How would you sell your services?

What working environments do you like / dislike?

What kind of people do you like / dislike?

What style of management gets the best from you?

What do you like / dislike about your current position?

How do you measure your own performance?

How would you deal with working in a pressured environment?

What pressures have you met already?

What have you done that shows initiative in your career?

Give me an example of an occasion when you have disagreed with your boss or a client? How did you deal with the situation?

What does ‘teamwork’ mean to you?

Why should I give you the job and not one of the other candidates?

What are your hobbies?

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THE BASICS

Remember that the interviewer will be evaluating your negative factors as well as your positive attributes. The negatives listed here are those that most often lead to rejection.

Poor personal appearance

Arrogance, aggression

A "know it all" attitude

Inability to express thoughts clearly

Lack of interest and enthusiasm

Lack of confidence

Condemnation of past employers

Lack of tact, maturity and courtesy

Failure to look interviewer in the eye

Limp handshake

Failure to ask sensible questions

Lack of preparation

Interested only in remuneration

Evasive answers

ADVANCED PREPARATION

Preparation is the first, essential step towards a successful interview - the interviewer will be actively looking to see how much work you have put in.

Ensure you know the exact location and time of the interview, the interviewer’s full name, correct pronunciation and title

Find out specific facts about the company - where it's offices are located, what it's products and services are, what the potential future growth is, etc. Good sources of info are: Annual reports, Kompass, Textline, Stock Exchange Research Handbook, Hambros Company Guide, the www

Refresh your memory on the facts and figures of your current/former employer

Prepare the questions you will ask - you need to determine whether the company will provide the opportunities for growth and development that you seek

Typical questions that you can ask:-

A detailed description of the position?

Reason the position is available?

Culture of the company?

Anticipated induction and training programme?

What sort of people have done well?

Advanced training programmes available for those who demonstrate outstanding ability?

Best-selling products or services?

The next step?

AT THE INTERVIEW – SOME DO'S AND DON'TS

DO arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrivals at interviews are never excusable.

DO fill out applications neatly and completely.

DO greet the interviewer by their surname, if you are not sure of the pronunciation, ask the interviewer to repeat it.

DO shake hands firmly.

DO wait until you are offered a chair, look alert and be interested at all times.

Be a good listener as well as a good talker

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