Interview Technique

Useful information

Feeling nervous before a job interview is normal but interview performance is often the deciding factor choosing between candidates for a job. myJobCaddy has the following suggestions to help you shine at the interview stage and win the job you want.

Preparation Stage:

Find out details of the company - see our Company Research page.
Know the exact time and location of the interview, how you’re going to get there and how long it will take, parking options, etc.
Give yourself plenty of time to get there so as to arrive in as calm a frame of mind as possible.
Confirm the interviewer's correct title and pronunciation of his or her full name.
If you are being interviewed for a contract, know the reason for it (i.e. project work, maternity cover etc). This information should be included on the job specification provided to you by the recruitment agency.
Refresh your memory about facts and figures relating to your present or former employers. You may be expected to know about the companies you have previously worked for.
Be familiar with your CV and prepared to answer questions regarding its contents.
Think about and prepare some questions to ask the interviewer. Remember that an interview is a two-way street: the interviewer will use questions to determine whether you are the right person for a specific job, and likewise, you must determine through questioning whether this potential employer will provide the right opportunity for your career development.
First impressions count. Dress smart and look presentable. It is likely you will be evaluated within the first few seconds - probably even before you sit down in the interview room.
Make sure your mobile phone is switched off during the interview.

Managing the Interview:

Most interviews follow a similar structure - introductions, a brief overview of the role/company, a set of questions from the potential employer to help establish your suitability and then an opportunity for you to ask questions before concluding. To ensure you offer yourself the best chance of getting the role, think about the following:

Try to engage the interviewer with a comfortable level of eye contact, positive body language (such as appropriate smiling) and a firm handshake. If appropriate, use humour in a bid to build rapport with the interviewer. Try to remember the names of any additional people you have been introduced to during the interview; being able to personally thank them at the end is important.
Be prepared to answer a range of questions ( see below for some common ones). Listen to questions carefully and don’t interrupt the interviewer when they are talking.
Discuss answers in full where possible, rather than giving a simple yes or no. Talk about your skills and abilities and what you have achieved previously.
Try and give examples where you have done similar work and performed identical responsibilities. Mention software you have used, your daily job functions and your capabilities.
Answer questions truthfully. When it comes to technical questions never try to pretend you know something you don't. If you have concerns about meeting the technical elements of the role, be honest; your potential employers can decide how important it is to them that you possess the necessary skills or not.
Take your time over tricky or technical questions and construct your answers carefully. Silence is OK whereas waffle will get you nowhere.
If you said something that, on reflection, you did not mean and are worried it could damage your chances, rectify this by restating what you actually meant. Don't hold back - it could be your only chance to get the point across.
Demonstrate your willingness to join the company and be a team player, as well as managerial skills if you possess them. Even if you have some reservations about the job, be enthusiastic; your concerns can be discussed at a later stage. Try not to get aggrieved at questions you deem inappropriate - give the company the benefit of the doubt for the duration of the interview and decide later whether it is a place you wish to work.
Let the employer know of your commitment to the job whether it be as a contract or a permanent employee. Never put a past employer down and try not to talk negatively about a previous company.
Ask plenty of questions to show you’re interested in the company ( see below for ideas). There is not really any need to discuss salary in the first interview unless your prospective employer raises it. At this stage being offered the job is the main priority and a fuller negotiation of your salary will follow if necessary. You should, however, know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range if asked (see our ‘What You’re Worth’ page for guidance).

Common Interview Questions

Q: Tell me about yourself?

A: This is a conversation starter and is often asked. Talk about your qualifications, competencies and range of skills, in particular emphasising those most relevant to the position on offer.

Q: Describe your achievements to date?

A. Select an achievement that is work-related and fairly recent. Identify the skills you used in the achievement and quantify the benefit it had to the company you were working for.

Q: Tell me the most challenging situation you have faced recently and how you dealt with it?

A: The purpose of this question is to find out your definition of difficult and whether you have a logical approach to problem solving. In order to show yourself in a positive light, select a difficult work situation which was not caused by you and which can be quickly explained in a few sentences. Explain how you defined the problem, what the solution options were, why you selected the one you did and what the outcome was. Try to end on a positive note, even if it is what you learned and took away from the process.

Q: What are your strengths?

A: Concentrate on discussing your main strengths by listing three or four proficiencies. Possible answers include an ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed, positive attitude, an ability to relate to a wide range of people and willingness to work hard to achieve a common goal. You may be asked to give examples of the above so be prepared.

Q: What are your major weaknesses?

A: We all have weaknesses so there are two options available when asked such a question. Use a professional weakness such as lack of experience in an area that is not essential to the job – or for the second option - describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered a strength and the steps that you have taken to combat that weakness.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years time?

A: One answer would be to state a long-term commitment to the company if employed, expressing ambition to progress with them over time. If you believe you will be somewhere else in five years time, explain the importance of this role in getting there.

Q: Why are you leaving your current employer?

A: You should have a straightforward answer to this question, such as looking for more challenge, responsibility and/or experience. Try not to be negative in your reasons for leaving - positive reasons are better.

Q: How do you deal with confrontation?

A: Again the purpose of this question is to find out what your definition of confrontation is and how you manage these situations. Demonstrate that you're willing to listen to others and can implement changes where necessary - but also that you have the courage of your convictions and will be firm when necessary.

Q: Why do you want to work for this company?

A: Show you have researched the company by including information on its mission statement, unique selling point, strategy, and the corporate image it looks to project. Mention how your skills and experience match and can benefit the company; do not just focus on what you can get out of working there.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: List any out-of-work activities, highlighting commitments that enhance the skills or abilities you would use if working for the company.

Questions about Industry/Role:

What do you enjoy about the industry? Why do you want to work in this industry?
What kinds of people do you like working with?
What are you looking for in a company?
What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
How do you feel about working long hours and/or weekends?
Which part of this role is least attractive to you?
How do you see this job developing your skills and experience?
Why do you want to work in this area of this company?
Where do you see this job going?
What do you think you would like about this role?

Questions about Skills:

How do you respond to working under pressure? (Provide examples.)
How have you coped when your work has been criticised? (Give an example including the outcome.)
What qualifies you for this job?
How do you measure your own performance?
What motivates you?
Why do you think you would be good at this job?
What can you bring to this organisation?
What area of your skills do you want to improve? (Try to relate this to the role on offer).
How would you go about resolving team disputes?
When reliant on others to meet your deadlines, how do you ensure you have the information you need on time?

Questions you may want to ask:

The interview is a two-way process. You are interviewing your prospective employer as much as they are interviewing you. It is a good idea to prepare questions prior to the interview – there is nothing wrong with having a list which you refer to during the interview.

What will my role entail? What does my daily routine involve?
Which of my skills are required to do this job?
How has this position become vacant?
How will my performance be monitored? How might I influence my own future in the company?
Who will I report to? Will anyone report to me?
Will this position involve travelling?
How does my role fit into the structure of the overall department? What is the objective of this organisation/department/team?
Where do you see the organisation heading?
What are the opportunities for further training? What is the support structure within the company (i.e. will they sponsor you for an MBA, professional qualifications, etc).
How does the culture of this team/organisation compare to others? What is it about this department/organisation that you (the interviewer) enjoy?

Closing the Interview

If by the end of the interview you are still interested in the position you should enquire about the next stage. If the interviewer offers the position to you and you want it, accept on the spot. If you wish for some time to think it over, be courteous and tactful in asking for that time and set a definite date when you will provide them with an answer.

Don't be too discouraged if a definite offer is not made nor a specific salary discussed. The interviewer will probably want to consult colleagues or interview other candidates (or both) before making a decision.

If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and suspect you may already have been discounted, don't let your discouragement show. Once in a while an interviewer who is genuinely interested in your possibilities may intend to discourage you in order to test your reaction.

Before leaving, thank the interviewer(s) for the time spent with you.

Post-Interview

After the interview it is recommended you call your recruitment agency to provide them with feedback about the interview. Following this the agency will contact the prospective employer to obtain their feedback which they will pass onto you.

If you are successful, negotiate your salary (see our ‘What You’re Worth’ page for guidance) and if you’re contracting, think about the best employment solution for you (visit our Employment Solutions page for more).

If you have not been successful one of the most important learning aspects of interviewing is the feedback you'll receive. Whether it’s positive or negative, try to take what you can on board and use it for future interviews. Although not always comfortable, hearing feedback is a great learning opportunity.

Finally, the team at myJobCaddy wishes you Good Luck!

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