fbpx

Interview Tips

An interviewer will be expecting you to represent yourself at your finest during an interview – prepared, well groomed, professional and showing enthusiasm for the role and company in question. It is important to remember the interview process is to establish if you are right for their company and also if their company and role is right for you. The key is to be prepared and be yourself.

1Preparing for your interview

  • It is likely you will be asked ‘What do you know about our company?’.
    Research as much as you can about the business and the role. Review the job description. Research their website and articles relating to their business online.
  • Make a list of questions about the business and role. These will reinforce if the role and company are right for you. It also demonstrates initiative and a high level of interest to the interviewer.
  • Arriving late to the interview is likely to create a bad first impression with the interviewer and likely to increase your stress level going into your interview. Be clear on where, when and who the interview is with. Drive there on a trial run to ensure you are aware of traffic issues, parking availability.
  • Dress for success. You have one chance to make a positive lasting impression. Dress appropriately for the role. Clean/polish shoes. Pay attention to your personal grooming.
  • Know your own CV. It sounds obvious but too often candidates offer conflicting dates and information to what they have listed on their CV.
  • Take a copy of your CV, details of your referees, your prepared questions and perhaps even a notebook and a couple of pens if you like to take notes. Ensure anything you take along is as immaculately presented as you are, as the entire process forms their first and only impression of you.

2Arriving at your interview

  • Arriving to your interview around 5 minutes early is ideal. If you arrive earlier wait briefly in your car until 5 minutes prior to your allocated interview time.
  • If you find you are going to be unavoidably late call and advise of the delay and expected arrival time. (Ph: 03 963 1110)
  • If you’re a smoker, avoid smoking just before an interview.
  • Turn off your mobile phone.
  • Remove sunglasses and dispose of chewing gum.
relax after a job interview

3During your interview

  • When greeting your interviewer always present a firm handshake and don’t forget to smile.
  • If you feel nervous, don’t worry. It is perfectly natural to be nervous in this situation.
  • Wait to be offered a chair before sitting down.
  • If you intend to take notes check that it is OK with the interviewer first.
  • Maintain regular eye contact throughout your interview.
  • Body language is important. Don’t overthink it but be sure to be open and professional with your body language: Sit up straight, don’t fold your arms or have your hands in your pockets. Most of all, relax and be yourself.
  • Listen to the questions and respond with confident, relevant, and to the point answers. This is your time to shine, to demonstrate and communicate your strengths. Use specific examples where appropriate. Avoid answering questions with only a “yes” or “no”.
  • Don’t interrupt the interviewer. Allow them to finish their question before responding.
  • Don’t be afraid to admit to mistakes you have made along the way. Employers are more interested in your growth and what you learned from your mistakes and what you would do differently today.
  • Avoid bad-mouthing former employers. Instead, try conveying the sort of environment you are looking for having experienced a management style that didn’t motivate and inspire you to do your best work.
  • Once the interviewer has asked their questions, they will ask if you have any questions. This is your chance to confirm further if this is the right role and company for you.
  • At this stage of the process, it is inappropriate to ask questions relating to the salary unless the interviewer asks you. Asking is likely to suggest to the interviewer that it is your main priority as opposed to finding the right role. If queried, you should respond with a salary bracket and be honest. Don’t ask for more or less than you would be happy within the hope of increasing your chances.
  • After the interview reiterate your interest in the role, for example, “I’m very interested, this sounds like a great company and the role sounds perfect”. Finish by shaking hands and thanking them for their time and consideration.

4After your interview

  • Contact your Consultant at Greenlight and talk to us about how it went.
  • Discuss with your Consultant the process moving forward.
  • Relax! The hard part is done.