15 May 2007

2nd City Resourcing:
GOLDEN TIPS FOR AN INTERVIEW

Be prepared

1. Research the company thoroughly. Always check their website, read through recent press releases or company news.

2. Plan your journey carefully and arrive 10-15 minutes early (if you can’t avoid lateness, please call!)

3. Be aware of the interview process, who you’ll meet, their role within the business etc

Take a pad & pen with you. This should include your pre-prepared questions and your initial observations/comments about the company. At the beginning of the interview politely say you’d like to take notes, (treat it like a client meeting).

Remember the expression “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”. Make sure when you meet the interviewer you shake hands firmly and smile. Always dress smartly, for example, conservative suits, plain ties, polished shoes. Minimal jewellery, minimal perfume and no obvious piercings.

During the interview

• Stay relaxed and maintain eye contact (try not to stare). Don’t fidget.
• Answer questions honestly (it’s imperative you discuss any areas of doubt with us before the interview). Don’t try to fabricate an answer, it’ll be obvious. If you don’t know or don’t have that experience, be honest, but make it clear you’re a quick learner and direct the conversation to your positive attributes.
• Answer questions fully, but don’t ramble, make sure your answers are relevant.
• Your listening skills are paramount in any interview.
• Make sure you’ve discussed your achievements, especially as examples to answer their questions; tell them about your successes, example your billings, major clients won, teams built, etc etc, or, if appropriate, tell them about your personal successes, e.g. academically or sporting, etc. Be precise, give facts and figures, and quantify your achievements wherever possible, (have a pre-prepared list)
• Make a clear distinction between “we” and “I”. Always highlight to the interviewer what you did in relation to the team. I know that these days we all work as part of a team but it is essential to distinguish what you actually did and in what detail you delivered it.
• Talk through different projects. If you constantly refer to the same example, project or situation, the interviewer will query the variety in the role. It may also make the question that you do not know how to select appropriate and relevant information when asked.
• Use the interviewer’s name
• The interviewer will want to know what you think you can do for them. If it’s hitting targets, tell them you’ll exceed targets; if it’s building a team, tell them you’ll build the best ever team.
• Demonstrate real interest - Depending on their sector take a page or two of potential clients, (via www.yell.com). If you know 1-2 of their clients (ask us), do some research and take it with you.
• Aspirations: Know what you want & where you’re going – within reason be specific. If you want a Porsche in the next 2 years, take a picture with you, or the 5-bed detached, or the exotic holiday!

Some useful questions:

• Ask why the interviewer joined the company?
• What are the company’s goals over the next 2-3 years?
• What are the backgrounds of the rest of the team?
• What are the expectations in the first 6 months?

Some basic hints:

• Turn your mobile off (don’t leave it on vibrate)
• Don ‘t smoke prior to or during the interview (feel free to smoke as many as you want afterwards!)
• Don’t ask about holiday entitlement or sick leave at interview
• Don’t get greedy re: salary at interview – we will negotiate the very best possible package for you
• Don’t overly criticise past/present employers

Always CLOSE at the end of the interview, e.g. ask if you’ve got the job, or when they could see you again.