interview guidelines

There are five basic steps to enable you to structure a professional and thorough interview: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Preparation Structure Questions and Answers Summary Close 1. PREPARATION - BEFORE THE INTERVIEW Preparation paves the way for a professional performance. You can prepare for an interview by following three basic steps: (A) Research your company thoroughly by whatever means possible. Nearly all organisations will have a website, and this will provide you with most of the information you need. You could also contact them and ask for their product literature and company background information. If there is a local branch, call in, speak to the people and ask for the information you feel would be necessary. You must try to create as clear a picture as possible about the company that you are approaching, the products they sell, the markets they deal with and as much as you can about the particular job for which you are applying. Not only will this enable you to more fully participate in the interview with your prospective employer, but, if nothing else, it will help you to decide whether you are interested in the company and the job. (B) Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask the prospective employer. During the interview you are under pressure trying hard to please and to impress. Quite frequently this has a counter-productive result. What generally happens is that your mind goes blank and you remember all the questions that you want to ask as you are about to leave the interview or, indeed, after you have left. Prepare yourself with examples of the life cycle of your work, the successes and the failures and how you have implemented improvements based onyour real life experiences. Show that you are a proactive and self motivated individual who strives to be successful with long-term career goals and aspirations. During your interview it is imperative that you demonstrate a real desire and hunger for the job and the organisation in particular. It may be difficult to gauge the interviewer and you may not be able to tell if they like you or not. This is often a deliberate strategy of the interviewer to establish how you react under pressure and it is important that you do make the effort to build a rapport. A list of suggested questions follow. The reason you need the questions is to ensure that by the time you have left the interview, you understand as much about the job and about the company as a prospective employer has found out about you. This should equip you to make an objective decision at the end of the interview session. It also prevents those awful pregnant pauses when the interviewer says "and do you have any questions?" and you cannot answer. An interview should be a two-way process. (C) Prepare a list of your selling benefits. In order to do this, ask yourself one basic question - "Why should that employer offer me that job?", and then write down all the reasons. It is important to display confidence but not arrogance - do sell yourself and give examples of where you have proved your ability or displayed your skill within your specialist area - you will be asked to do this anyway, but if they havent look for opportunities to show where you have been successful. Also you will be asked how you plan and organise your time, so please prepare examples that are specificallu related to the job specification and your CV.

interview guidelines
- Where you have dealt with a difficult customer/situation - Where you have demonstrated flexibility within your role. - Where you have shown excellent communication skills. - When you have had to work successfully to tight deadlines. If you have been thorough in your questioning of the prospective employer then you will have a good idea of what they are looking for. You can then match your own capabilities, experience and ambitions against their criteria Examples: "I have worked extensively with these development tools." "I have the right qualifications." "Although I do not have the full experience that you are looking for, I most certainly have ambition and the determination to succeed, together with a willingness to work hard in order to achieve this." "Although I have not supported your application, I have supported similar products to exactly the same market." When listing out your selling benefits also bear in mind if you have what we call in the trade a 'glory file', i.e. any written documentation or league tables or memos from your boss that say "what a wonderful person you are and how well you undertook you duties" - make sure that you take that with you. It saves a lot of unnecessary time in the question and answer session and proves you can do what you say. Written documentation actually proves this and enables you to move to a more constructive area in the interview. Having completed these three basic steps of preparation, at least you are going to your interview with confidence, knowing that you are as fully equipped as you possibly can be to participate in the interview. Make no mistake - your prospective employer will be impressed that at least you have tried and, if you try half as hard with their customers then you will be creating the right professional image and impression that the company is trying to achieve. 2. STRUCTURE OF INTERVIEW First Impression It is imperative that you create the right first impression. No matter how well trained or experienced the interviewer it has been proved that "subjectivity rules". People often form an opinion of you, and decide whether to offer the job to you, within the first four minutes of your interview. Perhaps the following guidelines will help. (a) GOLDEN RULE - ARRIVE ON TIME or preferably early. (b) In some cases you will have to complete an application form so leave yourself enough time to do this comfortably and still be able to commence your interview on time. (c) Always take a CV with you as it helps prevent having to sit there scratching your head trying to remember dates, etc. (d) Appearance - clean, smart and unfussy. The days of loud suits and loud ties are gone. The professional image of blue suit and white shirt is usually preferred. If you look good, you will feel confident too. (e) When you meet your prospective employer try and introduce yourself first if at all possible; it slightly gives you the upper-hand. A firm handshake and good eye contact indicate good interpersonal skills and denote an air of authority.

interview guidelines interview guidelines

(f) Look the interviewer in the eyes as there is nothing worse than having a shifty expression - it destroys credibility! (g) Please, no complaints about "traffic jams", "the previous appointment that dragged on" or There are anything else. A fresh, strong, positive PREPARATION - BEFORE THE INTERVIEW five basic steps to enable 1. approach is best. you to structure a professional and Preparation paves (h) Do not thorough interview: even if they do or offer. the way for a professional smoke on interview, performance. You can prepare for an interview by 1. Preparation following three basic steps: 2. Structure 3. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 3. Questions and Answers (A) Research your company thoroughly by whatever means possible. This4. Summaryinterview is purely to enable your employer to find out exactly what he wants to know part of the 5. Close about you, i.e. are you the right candidate for the job? Nearly all organisations will have a website, and this will provide you with most of the information you need. You It should also be used from your point of view to try and find out as much as you can about the job could also contact them and ask for their product and the company. literature and company background information. If there is list of branch, call in, previously prepared, will prove Now you are in the hot seat and this is where the a local questions, you speak to the people and ask for the information you feel would be necessary. to be invaluable. You must try to create as clear a picture as possible about the a game (a) Think of the questions and answer process as company that you are approaching, the products they sell, the markets they deal with and as Every time the employer asks you a much as you can abouta good response,for whicha plus question and you give the particular job you get you are applying. Not only will get enable you to The fully point. Every time the employer gets a negative response, you this a minus point.more more participate in the interview with your prospective plus points you get, the closer you are to getting the job. employer, but, if nothing else, it will help you to decide Try to turn your negative points into whether you are interested insayscompany and the job. positive. For example, if he the "Well you have never developed using these languages before" your response should be "No, I haven't but there is no reason why I can't. I couldn't use the tools I am using now until I joined my present (B) Preparecompany. a list of questions you would like to ask the prospective employer. During the What you you are under that instance is change please and to impress. a positive one i.e. interview have done in pressure trying hard to the negative point into Quite frequently this no reason why result. What generally happens isto use their technologies too. you has a counter-productive the company shouldnt train you that your mind goes blank and remember all the questions that you want to ask as you are about to leave the interview or, indeed, If you dont understand the question, check it! after you have left A list of (b) Listen toquestions follow. The reason you need the questions is to ensure that by the time suggested the questions carefully. you have left the interview, you understand as much about the job and about the company as a If possible has found out about the This should equip you to make an objective decision prospective employer try and work out whyyou. interviewer is asking you the question. For example, "You've not been there at the end of the interview session.very long and you weren't very long in your last job". Are they actually trying to find out whether you are the sort of person who keeps changing jobs very rapidly before having had a chance to prove yourself? Perhaps they want confirmation that, It also prevents those awful pregnant pauses when the interviewer says "and do you have any if they gave you cannot you would interview in an equally short time. questions?" and you the job, answer. An not leave should be a two-way process. A possible response is "No, I wasn't there very long but I did have good reasons for leaving. (C) PrepareHowever, I don't like benefits. jobs frequently and that is why it is very important that the a list of your selling changing next decision I make is the right one. I want to stay with the next company I join and progress through their organisation without having to leave employer offer me that job?", In order to do this, ask yourself one basic question - "Why should that and join another company to gain a promotion". and then write down all the reasons. If you have Make sure you have refreshed your of the prospective employer then again dohave a good been thorough in your questioning Technical ability and experience, you will your homework!looking for. You can then match your own capabilities, experience and ambitions idea of what they are against their criteria.

interview guidelines interview guidelines

(c) Answer the questions specifically and without waffling. Once you have answered the question, if the interviewer wants more information, they will ask for it. When you are asked a question like "What exactly do in your current company? They do not want to five "Well, I was born at a There are hear basic steps to enable very early age...." and half an hour later they have your 1. PREPARATION - BEFORE THE INTERVIEW whole life story, but not the answer you to structure a professional and to the question. Too much detail is boring! thorough interview: Preparation paves the way for a professional (d) Be honest performance. You can prepare for an interview by 1. Preparation following three basic steps: If2. Structure something, there is no point in telling them that you can. you can't do 3. Questions and Answers (A) Research your company thoroughly by whatever (e) Never answer with 'I don't know'. 4. Summary means possible. 5. Close If in doubt, ask to think about it and ask if you can all organisations will have a Recruitment this will Nearly get back to them via your website, and Consultant later. provide you with most of the information you need. You could also contact them and ask for their product (f) Enthusiasm counts literature and company background information. If there is a local branch, call in, speak to the people and ask for Although you are bound to read in most advertisements thatyou feel would be necessary. the information 'experience would be desirable', ENTHUSIASM also counts for a lot in an interview. You must try to create as clear a picture as possible If you are enthusiastic, willing to learn and, above all, willing to work hard, those messages about the company that you are approaching, the must come across in your interview. This should satisfy thesell, the markets they are the type of products they interviewer that you deal with and as person they would like to have within the company.as you can about the particular job for which you much are applying. Not only will this enable you to more fully (g) Remember, not all employers are trained to interview. in the interview with your prospective participate employer, but, if nothing else, it will help you to decide It is as much your responsibility to make sure that the interviewer has enough correct information about whether you are interested in the company and the job. you, as it is their responsibility to extract from you that information. (h) Never be negative about your current job (B) Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask the prospective employer. Sell the positive points about the new one - exciting company - industry product - career During the interview you are under pressure trying hard to please and to impress. Quite frequently this progression / development opportunities - different and exciting style. has a counter-productive result. What generally happens is that your mind goes blank and you remember all the questions that you want to ask as you are about to leave the interview or, indeed, (i) Try to show some positive factors about your personality after you have left Smile, be friendly, professional. A list of suggested questions follow. The reason you need the questions is to ensure that by the time you have left the interview, you understand as much about the job and about the company as a (j) Stress that the next position is important to you prospective employer has found out about you. This should equip you to make an objective decision at the end of the interview session. Because you intend staying a long time. It also prevents those awful pregnant pauses when the interviewer says "and do you have any (k) Never give the impression you are on too many interviews questions?" and you cannot answer. An interview should be a two-way process. Only a select few. (C) Prepare a list of your selling benefits. (l) Tell them when you are next available for interview, or can start employment. In order to do this, ask yourself one basic question - "Why should that employer offer me that job?", Ask if you can see where you would be working, meet other members of staff where and then write down all the reasons. possible. If you have been thorough in your questioning of the prospective employer then you will have a good idea of what they are looking for. You can then match your own capabilities, experience and ambitions against their criteria.

interview guidelines interview guidelines

(m) If on a long notice period say you will see if you can negotiate it. There are Takebasicgood references you may have with you. 1. PREPARATION - BEFORE THE INTERVIEW (n) five any steps to enable you to structure a professional and thorough interview: Preparation you are prepared and serious and not just This saves time and leaves a good impression - paves the way for a professional performance. You can prepare for an interview by "Window Shopping". 1. Preparation following three basic steps: 2. Structure 3. Questions and Answers (A) Research your company thoroughly by whatever QUESTIONS 4. Summary means possible. 5. Close Nearly all if they have will have a website, at this go At the end of the interview, do ask some questions, evenorganisations covered everything,andleast will provide is with most of you think of after the interview, over some points already discussed. Lastly, ask if thereyouanything that the information you need. You could also contact them and ask for their product can you get back to them via your Consultant or call direct? literature and company background information. If there is a local branch, call in, speak to the people and ask for the information you feel would be necessary. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS TO ASK AT INTERVIEW You must try to create as clear a picture as possible about the company that you are approaching, the products they sell, the markets they deal with and as 1. What is your company turnover? much as you can about the particular job for which you are applying. Not only 2. How many employees are there in total in the company? will this enable you to more fully participate in the interview with your prospective employer, but, if nothing would I fit in? 3. Can you draw me an organisation chart and show me where else, it will help you to decide whether you are interested in the company and the job. 4. What development environment do you use? 5. What of questions likely like to ask the prospective employer. (B) Prepare a listplatforms are you wouldto develop upon? 6. interview you are under pressure trying hard to please and to impress. Quite frequently this During the Why do people enjoy working for your company? has a counter-productive result. What generally happens is that your mind goes blank and you 7. all the questions that you want to remember Who are your main competitors? ask as you are about to leave the interview or, indeed, after you have left 8. What sort of markets do you sell to? A list of suggested questions follow. The reason you need the questions is to ensure that by the time 9. Can I interview, you understand as much about the demo room where I can have you have left thesee some company literature or do you have a job and about the company asaalook at the equipment/product? prospective employer has found out about you. This should equip you to make an objective decision at the end of the interview session. 10. How many calls per day do you expect? It also prevents those awful pregnant pauses when the interviewer says "and do you have any 11. and you cannot answer. An the skill should be questions?"Give me an understanding ofinterview necessary?a two-way process. 12. What percentage of the market do you hold? (C) Prepare a list of your selling benefits. 13. How much technical support do you provide to your customers? In order to do this, ask yourself one basic question - "Why should that employer offer me that job?", 14. What is your average service down-time response? and then write down all the reasons. If you have been thorough in your questioning of the prospective employer then you will have a good idea of what they are looking for. You can then match your own capabilities, experience and ambitions against their criteria.

interview guidelines
16. What sort of the training facilities do you have. For your own staff? For customers? 17. How long does training take and what does it involve? 18. How realistic are the promotion prospects? 19. Is there a planned career development path? 20. What are the parameters of the product I will be supporting? 21. Why has this vacancy arisen? 22. To whom would I be reporting? 23. What are your plans for product development in the future? New markets / industries / diversification? 24. How much investment does your company make towards R&D to ensure a constant flow of new products? You should be able to identify when enough information has been exchanged between you and the prospective employer. As soon as you feel this has been achieved, you are probably then ready to go into the next stage of the interview. 4. SUMMARY Having extracted from your prospective employer exactly what he is looking for, i.e. the criteria that he is interviewing against, you then need to summarise your experience against that criteria. REMEMBER YOUR SELLING BENEFITS LIST! Use this to summarise your experience against the interviewers requirements. IN SUMMARY, I AM VERY INTERESTED IN THE VACANCY YOU HAVE AND I FEEL THAT I AM ADEQUATELY QUALIFIED TO BE ABLE TO DO A VERY GOOD JOB FOR YOU. 5. CLOSE At the end of the interview, remember - a firm hand shake. If keen let them know you want the position, or would more than seriously consider it. Thank them for their time and explaining to you what they want. If you follow these simple but basic rules, you should leave your interview feeling that you have done a good job. Also you should be armed with some sort of commitment, certainly knowing exactly what the next stage will be. If you have done a really good job, you will be receiving an offer letter in your hand, have a smile on your face and be heading for the nearest pub to celebrate your new appointment! face and be heading for the nearest pub to celebrate your new appointment!