Interview Techniques (Lecturer notes)

Before The Interview:

• Be aware that the interviewer might well have done a web search on your name.
• Might this reveal some information not in your application that could be raised at the interview? How would you handle this?
• Do a web search on the names(s) of your interviewers(s) if you have been given this information (if you haven't, you might like to ask for it in advance). This might enable you to show at the interview that you've done some research and enable you to shape your answers to the interests of the interviewer(s).
• The key to a good interview itself is good preparation:
• research thoroughly the industry or sector, the company or organization and the particular job, making particular use of the annual report & accounts, the web site, Facebook page or Twitter feed, and current newspaper articles.
• prepare an informal opening and closing statement that emphasizes why you want the job and why you think you are particularly well qualified to be chosen.
• On the day before the interview, read your application form again, since many of the interview questions are likely to draw on the content of your application and you need to remember what you have written and think about what might be raised as a result.
• On the morning of the interview, check the newspapers and the Internet for any last minute developments affecting the organization you are visiting or the industry in which you are interested in working. This will prepare you for any questions on that development and give you an opportunity to mention it if appropriate.

The Interview Day:

• Dress smartly. Even if the dress code is casual for the organization concerned, it always pays to be smart for the actual interview.
• It may seem totally obvious, but switch off your mobile or anything else (such as a pager or digital watch) that might make a noise.
• If you are anxious about interviews, when you are actually called into the interview room, take two or three slow, deep breaths to calm your nerves and your breathing.
• As you are introduced to the interviewers, shake their hand firmly, look them in the eyes, and say that you are pleased to meet them. These first few seconds are so important in creating a favorable impression. Remember: you don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
• Answer the questions in a confident, firm voice. Don't mumble or rush or be too hesitant.
• Answers should not be one word or one sentence, but equally should not go on too long. If you have a lot to say, having made the main points, you could finish by saying: "I could expand upon that, if you wish".
• When answering the questions, maintain eye contact with the interviewer(s). If there are two interviewers, give them equal attention. If there are three or more, slowly sweep your eyes from side to side like a radar beam.
• In the answers to your questions, make selective and relevant use of the information from your preliminary researches and casually mention at least some of the sources you have used. For example: "I was interested to see in your annual report", "I noticed on your web site ..", "I was reading an article recently that said .." This will impress the interviewer(s) with your knowledge, your research and your keenness.
• Don't waffle. If you don't know, say so.
• Don't self-deprecate. You don't need to say things like: "I'm nervous/rambling/guessing/making this up." You are there to highlight your strengths, not advertise your weaknesses.
• Never, ever lie.
• Almost certainly, the opening question will be a general one along the lines of: "Will you tell us why you applied for this job, You should be ready for this question by having mentally prepared a short statement that provides the three or four key points in your favour.
• If you are not asked this kind of opening question, you should gently take control of the interview by, as soon as possible, saying something like: "Perhaps you would like to know why I applied for the job". You can then use your opening statement.
• Many of the questions you will be asked will arise from what you have written in your application so, shortly before the interview date, read over your application again and think about how the interviewer(s) may wish to probe for further information.
• Think of actual experiences that illustrate the qualities that you would bring to the job. A good interviewer will not ask the obvious or leading question such as: "Do you like teamwork?" or "Can you cope with stress?". A clever interviewer will instead ask: "Can you give me an example of how you have worked in a team and tell me how you interacted with the other team members?" or "Can you tell me a time when you were under particular stress and explain to me how you handled or resolved it?"
• A common question is something like: "Where do you see yourself jobwise/careerwise in a year/three years/five years time?". The interviewer will be looking for evidence of commitment, motivation and (reasonable) ambition, so think about how you would answer such a question.
• Almost certainly, you will be asked a final question along the lines of: "Is there anything else that you would like to tell us?" Again you should be ready for this question by having mentally prepared a short statement that reaffirms the content of your opening statement, deals with any difficulties that have come up in the interview, and concludes by emphasizing how much you would like the job and how keen you would be if you obtained it.
• Again, if you are not asked this kind of closing question, you should gently take control of the interview by - before you leave - saying something like: "Before I go, could I just emphasise why I am so keen to do this job". Then use your closing statement.
• At the end of the interview, you may be asked: "Are there any questions that you would like to ask us about the company (or organisation) or the job?" Once again, be ready for this and have one or two good questions ready. As far as the company or organisation is concerned, ask a question which shows interest in the future prospects. For example: "Where are the growth opportunities for the company?" or "What do you think will be the new markets that the company will want to enter in the next few years?" or "What are the key strategic objectives for the organisation in the next couple of years?" As far as the job is concerned, again ask questions that show keenness and interest in the future. For instance: "What are the training opportunities in this job?" or "How is the job likely to develop in the next year or two?" or "What chances are there for promotion in this post?"
• Above all, show some enthusiasm and keenness for the job. However calculated the questions and however sophisticated the marking of the answers, most interviewers eventually make the final decision based on the overall impression and nothing makes a better impression than a positive attitude.