Interview Tips & Techniques

Interview Techniques

1. Know the exact time and place of the interview, the interviewers full name, the correct pronunciation and his/her title.

2. Find out specific facts about the company -what its products/services are.

3. Refresh you memory on the facts and figures of your present/former employer.

4. Prepare the questions you will ask during the interview. Remember that an interview is a "two way street". The employer will try to determine through questioning if you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. You must determine through questioning whether the company will give you the opportunity for the growth and development you seek.

5. Probing questions you might ask:

• Reason the position is available
• Culture of the company
• Induction and training program
• Company's goals
• Best-selling products/services
• The next step of the interview process

The Interview

You are being interviewed because the interviewer wants to hire somebody-not because he/she wants to trip you up or embarrass you. Through the interaction that will take place during the interview, he/she will be searching out your strong and weak points, evaluate you on your qualifications, skills and intellectual qualities and he/she will probably probe deeply to determine your attitudes, aptitudes, stability, motivation and maturity.

These are examples of some of the DO's for the interview

• Only attend the interview if you are genuinely interested in the role.
• Do not go to the interview and midway tell the interviewer you are seeking a different position
• Plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is inexcusable and immediately puts you at a disadvantage to the other candidates applying.
• If presented with an application, fill it out neatly and completely.
• Greet the interviewer by his/her surname if you are sure of the pronunciation.
  If you are not, ask them to repeat their name.
• Shake hands firmly.
• Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair, look alert and interested at all times. Be a good listener as well as a good talker. Smile. Look your prospective employer in the eye while you talk to him/her.
• Follow the interviewer's leads but try to get the interviewer to describe the position and the duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to the position.
• Make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner.

These are examples of some of the DONT's for the interview

• Poor personal appearance. Dress conservatively unless otherwise advised.
• Aggressive/overbearing/superior attitude. Do not swear.
• No purpose or goals
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm - passive manner.
• Lack of confidence. Talking excessively without drawing a breath
  Over emphasis on money - interested only in money
• Evasive - making excuses for history
• Lack of tact/maturity/courtesy
• Putting down past employers
  Failure to look interviewer in the eye
• Limp, weak handshake
• Failure to ask good questions about the job and the company
  "What can you do for me?" attitude
• Lack of preparation for the interview - failure to get information about the company
• Don't smoke prior to the interview
• Do not differ your salary expectations from when you advised your agency
• Don't answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no". Explain but don't waffle.