ON THE DAY
Your big day and how best to deal with it. Bringing you the hottest tips on how to cope.
If interviews make you nervous (as they do to most people) this page will help you relax and prepare to be the best you can. In addition if HotProspects set you an interview we’ll ensure you’re fully prepped with extra interview tips.
Here at HotProspects we work to 3 Golden Rules:
1. Make the employer feel important (by knowing the company inside out)
2. Know clearly why you want the job
3. Be ready to provide examples to back up your CV and answers you may provide
Those three rules are a good place to start, however it doesn’t stop there. The big day in effect starts way before with preparation.
Firstly ensure you research the company; understand them, the job and the market. Then identify how you and your skills fit in with these. Ensure your reasoning includes commercial awareness as this is key. This will be vital in helping you prepare for any questions they may ask you, and show how eager you are.
You should also start thinking about what you would say when posed certain questions. This doesn’t mean learning answers to repeat back in a parrot like fashion, but simply having a stock bank of examples you can back up your answers with.
Below you will find some examples of popular questions for you to think about.
1. Why did you choose … university? (This is not just about your university this question allows you to demonstrate your decision making process, logic, reason and planning)
2. Why did you choose to study this particular subject? (This once again can be used to demonstrate your decision making process, however it can be used to assess your interest in the job and the sector)3.Why do you want this job? (This is where you can demonstrate all that research, try and find something they are proud of and build on this.)
4. What do you expect to be doing in five years time? (This is another chance to show your research, avoid general answers, show that you have researched the career path and the potential in the company)
5. What has been your greatest achievement? (This is your chance to really distinguish yourself from other candidates, it doesn’t have to be anything heroic, but can show what really matters to you)
6. What are your weaknesses? (Try to avoid the cliché perfectionist answers and definitely don’t deny having any!)
7. Describe a situation where you have lead/been part of a team (focus on your qualities here, as well as the task and problems, make sure you use this as a chance to demonstrate you are the kind of person that would fit in there)
8. Describe a situation where you dealt with a confrontation (This can help to show how you deal with people and uncomfortable situations, and can be used to demonstrate your people skills)
Who else have you applied to? (This demonstrates your consistency and career aims)
Preparation doesn’t stop there. Lets not forget that nagging question; What should I wear?
It may be cheesy but it’s true, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, so ensure you have your outfit prepared too. Much has been written on this subject and most of it is common sense but sadly our experience is that it is not as common as it should be. So here are some guidelines.
What you wear should reflect who you are, but also send a message to the interviewer that you know what the job requires and that you have taken the time to think about it and prepare. If you have a suit wear one, but if you don’t ensure you dress as smart as possible.
Start at the beginning, you need to be clean and tidy, smart and relatively under-stated. We haven't met any one who got a job because of the clothes they were wearing but we have heard lots of horror stories about candidates who have not been offered jobs because the interviewer was put off by something about their appearance. It shouldn't be the case but it is - so don't take any chances.
So now you have your appearance sorted, what else can you do to ensure that you interview well?
• Don’t arrive too early, five to ten minutes before the agreed time is best.
• Greet your interviewers with a handshake.
• Don’t smoke before the interview.
• Ensure you sit facing the interviewer if possible.
• Maintain eye contact when being spoken to
• Take a pad and pen, and take notes.
Most importantly:
• Be positive and smile
Don’t forget to prepare some questions of your own at the end of interview; they should be centred around helping you decided if you want the job. It is a good idea not to cover remuneration and holiday at this point.
If you forget all of the above don’t worry, the most important thing is to be positive and be yourself, as an interview is there to assess if you and the job are the right fit.
