Interviews
From CareersWiki
So your application was successful - great! Now all you have to do is have an equally great interview and you've got the job.
Unfortunately, for most people interviews are seen as nerve wracking affairs where a gang of interviewers will shine lights in your face and grill you until you collapse from exhaustion. Thankfully this does not happen, and interviewers are actually quite nice people.
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So what's going on in an interview?
- Interviewers are trying to picture you fitting into their existing team in a particular role; they normally have a list of requirements or competencies that they're trying to measure you against, and they're looking to see if you're the right person for the role.
- You, meanwhile, are trying to persuade them that you are equipped and motivated to step into that team and that role.
Preparation
It cannot be said often enough, so I'm going to put it in bold here: the key to success at interview is preparation.
Just as you had to prepare to make a good application, you're going to have to prepare some more for the interview. The model on the right of this page gives you an idea of how to structure your preparation and what areas to concentrate on - so let's break it down:
The concentric circles are colour coded - red is the most important area; blue less so, but you should still have a reasonable amount of knowledge, and you should be aware of the green areas but not necessarily an expert (unless you're going to be an economist).
You
- This is the key area of your research; obviously since they're interviewing you, and you need to be an expert on you.
- Think back to all the events in your life, and all parts of your life, that equip you with the skills and competencies you have
- Think about their requirements and make sure you have good examples to demonstrate those skills
- Think about the boundaries - how will you make a difference in the company, how will what they do affect you?
Company/Organisation
- This is the other key area of your research; they will want to see clear motivation towards the company and the role you're applying for
- Think sideways when researching the company/organisation - check out the stock market for a share price, search the news, talk to alumni/graduates via CANetwork, phone them up and speak to a recruiter - this is especially good for smaller recruiters/companies
- You need to be aware of what you're letting yourself in for - will you have to train, if so what/when/how long for; how big are the teams you'll be working in; what responsibilities will you have?
- Deomnstrate that you understand the company culture and ethos, and demonstrate that you can think like they do - this helps them build a picture of you in the role
- Think about the boundaries - how will you make a difference in the company, how will what they do affect you?
Sector
- What sector does the company sit in
- Who are its competitors; what are its biggest strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats?
- What's happening in the sector at the moment? Read the papers and keep-up with current events; you may be asked questions to see how interested you are.
UK Economy
- What's happening in the UK Economy at the moment?
- Are we growing or shrinking? What's the current exchange rate for the US dollar or the Euro?
- In the last budget did the Chancellor do anything that's good or bad for the sector?
- Remember this all spills downwards - what impact does this have (if any) on the sector and so what happens to the company and ultimately, what happens to you?
Worldwide Economy
- What's happening in the world just now?
- US Presidential elections can do funny things for business here - what big things are happening on the world stage just now?
- Remember the old saying: 'When America sneezes we catch a cold'
Their Agenda
Remember here that the recruiter is out to hire the best person for the job.
- Look beyond the job description - do you understand the role fully?
- What would their ideal candidate contribute?
- How much of this profile can you meet?
- How can you show that you can make a great contribution in areas they want you to?
- Where is your evidence?
Your Agenda
Interviews are two-way processes; make sure you get to say everything you need to
- What do you need clarified?
- What are your greatest strengths for the position?
- Be alert to communicate those strengths
- Make sure you have done so by end of interview
- Think about the questions you want to ask
- Focus on positives about the position
Communication
- You have to impact upon the interviewers
- Handshake, smile, engage
- Listen actively to their communication
- Be alert to what they are really getting at
- Clarify questions if necessary
- Have you have said enough or too much? (rule of thumb: if you think you've been talking too much then you probably have - wrap up asap)
- Smile, look at them
- Engage all interviewers - if you're facing a panel, direct the first part of your answer to the questioner, then look at each panel member as you continue to talk, then finish off back with the person who asked the question; this keeps all the panel members engaged and shows off your communication abilities
- Enthuse, be positive - would you hire the candidate who didn't seem to want the job?
- Be alert - it's bad for to ask the interviewer to repeat the question not because you didn't understand a part of it, but because you were looking at the floor thinking about last night's telly
- Be mindful of body language
- Remember your agenda!
Practicalities
- Get there in time - this means being there 5 minutes before you have to. Have a dry-run the day before, if possible, or get there an hour early then find a coffee shop 5 minutes away to hole-up in; this way you'll know you're only a 5 minute walk back. Just don't drink too much coffee...
- Dress appropriately - for most of us this will mean smartly, but for some careers smart may not be necessary or even welcomed; your research should tell you what to expect
- Assume everyone feeds into assessment - because they most often do
- Be pleasant to everyone - for the same reasons; don't fawn over the senior partner then be sullen to the receptionist, you don't know whose opinion the recruiter will take (the receptionist might have been there for 20 years and always predict the best candidate...)
- Take in everything you can - you never know when an extra bit of information might come in handy, and it shows that you're engaged with them
Good luck!
Making an Impact: The Graduate Job Interview (online and dvd)
Making an Impact: The Graduate Job Interview shows real students and graduates being interviewed by actual recruiters. It includes extracts from each interview, selectors' verdicts and candidates reflecting on their own performance. The programme lasts for 108 minutes but is designed to be viewed in 4 separate sections.
The DVD can also be viewed at the Careers Centre.
Resources at the Careers Centre
- Books, including:
- Brilliant Answers to Tough Interview Questions
- Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions
- Pass That Interview - your systematic guide to coming out on top ...
- Perfect Interview - all you need to get it right first time
- Successful Interview Skills
- Workshops
Check the Events page on our website for details of the interview workshops run at the Careers Centre
Links
- Wiki page
- Other
- First Impressions count Video from the University of Bedfordshire showing four students prepare for interview with the help of an image consultant
- Prospects: Going for Interviews
- KPMG Interview Skills Session Online competency-based interview skills course from KPMG
- Wiki Job: Job Interviews
- Wiki Job: Competency-based Interview
- Wiki Job: Telephone interviews
