Interview Techniques - Ready to Work Perth Western Australia - helping disadvantaged, disabled and long-term unemployed women find employment.

Interview Techniques

PREPARATION

Preparation is the first step towards a successful interview.  The need to organize yourself and create a favourable impression starts before you go through the door.  It is important therefore to:

• Organise your clothes for the interview in advance. Remember to dress conservatively — suitable to the culture of the company and the image you wish to project but true to yourself.
• Assemble relevant information beforehand (eg documentation, qualifications).  Be prepared.
• Research the company (using published materials and contacts) so that you are able to ask "intelligent questions".  Google the company and people in the company, if relevant.
• Interviewers often seek practical examples of past behaviour, which help demonstrate your competencies. You should be prepared to share examples of achievements or past behaviours. Ensure you describe the situation, the action you took and the results or outcomes of your action.

ARRIVAL

Be on time!  This means not only don't be late, but don't be early.  Smile.  Make eye contact and give a firm and friendly handshake.  Always turn your mobile phone off before an interview.

Interviewers frequently use "small talk" to break the ice.  Follow the interviewers lead on this, but do not initiate a lot of small talk yourself.  This could set the wrong tone.

INTERVIEW STRUCTURE

No two styles of interviewing are the same. Go with the flow, but remember that interviewers value such qualities as:


It is important to remember that the interviewer is trying to ascertain important facts and information, not embarrass you.  With careful preparation and attention to a few details, you can overcome any tension and present your ability, professionalism and personality to the best advantage to a potential employer.  They may then talk about the position and the firm and perhaps something about the interview itself.  However, this order of doing things varies from one interviewer to the next.

If you feel your body language is conveying anxiety, it is usually best to verbalise it. (For example, "I haven't interviewed in years and I'm a little surprised to find myself nervous"). Verbalising your nervousness often reduces it and interviewers are usually empathetic.

CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

Prepare pertinent questions to ask towards the end of the interview. Some examples include:

• Is it a new or existing position?
• What are the responsibilities and priorities?
• What are the reporting relationships?
• What resources are accessible to the position?
• What is the criteria for measuring success?
• What is the next step?
• What long term career opportunities are available?

Do not initiate any discussion about remuneration at the first interview.  However, be open and honest if the interviewer asks.

Ask (if you haven't been told) what the process will be after the interview has been completed.

Have a couple of positive comments to recap on some of the highlights of the conversation. Reiterate your strengths.  If you are genuinely interested, say so.  Leave the interviewer with a good impression — smile.   Firm but friendly handshake.   Do not relax too soon.

WHAT NOT TO DO

An interview can never go completely to plan and sometimes things go wrong.  There are some steps you can take to prevent this.  Try to avoid:

• Poor personal appearance and grooming.
• Failure to look the interviewer in the eye.
• Being too friendly.
• Not listening to questions carefully.
• Lack of enthusiasm or interest.
• Saying "we" instead of referring to your own achievements.
• Making very general statements which lack substance.
• Being poorly prepared. Knowing nothing about the company to whom you are talking.
• Slouching, mumbling, fidgeting, speaking slowly.
• Making derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.