Interview Advice
Preparing for the Interview
Understand the vacancy:
- Ask the consultant for a copy of the job specification
- Establish whether any tests are going to be required, and if so, prepare for them
- Talk the details through carefully with the consultant to ensure your skills and requirements are relevant
Find out about the company:
- What it does, its products or services
- If possible, look at their web site for more information
- Ask the company for literature for background reading;
- Read the trade and national press;
- Ask the consultant about any previous placements there
Check travel arrangements:
- Make sure that you have the full address, especially if the company has more than one site
- Plan your route if driving, and where to park on arrival
- Confirm train times and if any engineering works are scheduled
Frequently asked questions, how would you respond to:
- What do you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses
- What do you think you achieved with your present employer
- Why are you leaving and what do you look for in a new job
- What are your long term objectives
The actual interview
Consider the following points:
- Arrive a little earlier than the appointment, gives you time to compose yourself, maybe freshen up
- Dress sensibly appropriate to the type of company
- Listen carefully, and answer openly, ask your own questions
- Avoid negative descriptions of previous jobs and employers, highlight the positive points
- Look enthusiastic and interested, and say so, if you are
- Remember to thank the interviewer for their time, and ask when to expect feedback
After the interview
- Contact your consultant and talk through your impressions, and what impression you felt you made