How to shine at interview
An interview is an opportunity for an employer to find out more about you and to ascertain if you are a suitable candidate for their position. However it is also an opportunity for you to find out more about the company, the role and whether you feel they are right for you.
Being well prepared for an interview will not only improve your chances of being successful but can help put you at ease.
Know your CV
Before your interview, go over your CV and make sure that you can talk confidently about the skills and experience you have listed. Think about the positions you have held, what you brought to them and learnt from them.
Research
Find out as much as you can about the company you have applied to. Have a look on their website to find out about their products or services, status (are they part of a larger group), locations, and anything else that may be particularly relevant to your role.
Personal Presentation
Your MHR Consultant will advise you on the dress code, but it is usual practice to dress smartly. Make a good first impression!
Questions for Interview
It is a good idea to think about some typical interview questions and how you would answer them:
For example:
You might also want to prepare some questions to ask the interviewer about the company and the role. Questions regarding salary and benefits are best left until second interview or when an offer of employment is made.
Interview Type
Interviews can take many forms, from informal conversations to structured and competency based interviews. Some employers will also require you to complete skills or psychometric testing.
Your MHR Consultant should be able to tell you what type of interview to expect and help to coach you on the types of questions you may be asked.
Competency Based Interviews
Competency based interviews are commonly used as a way to rank candidates in a fair manner against the job criteria. Candidates are asked to give examples from their work or personal experiences to demonstrate that they have the competencies required for the role.
If you are attending a competency based interview, look at the job specification and focus on the key skills and accountabilities listed. Try to relate these back to your own examples to illustrate these.
Attitude
During the interview it is important to make eye contact with the interviewer when you are speaking to them. Try to be yourself, smile and let your personality come across.
After the Interview
Speak to your MHR Consultant and let them know how you feel the interview went. They will contact you as soon as they have feedback from the employer for you.