Interview tips and ideas

Be prepared.

Check out these questions and suggestions then go in there fully armed.

General questions:

Tell me about yourself.
Keep your answer to one or two minutes. Don't ramble. If you have a profile or personal statement at the top ofyour CV use this as your starting point.

What do you know about our company?
Research the company's products, size, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, skills,history and philosophy.
Be informed and interested. Let the interviewer tell you about the company, let them define their business in theirterms.

Why do you want to work for us?
Don't talk about what you want; first talk about their needs. You want to be part of an exciting forward-movingcompany. You can make a definite contribution to specific company goals.

What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone else can't?
Relate past experiences that represent success in working for your previous employer. Talk about your freshperspective and the relevant experience you can bring to the company. Highlight your track record of providingcreative, workable solutions.

What do you find the most attractive about this position? Least attractive?
List a couple of attractive factors such as the responsibility the post offers and the opportunity to work withexperienced teams that have a reputation for innovation and creativity. Say you'd need more information andtime before being able to make a judgement on any unattractive aspects.

Why should we hire you?
Because of knowledge, experience, abilities, and skills.

What do you look for in a job?
An opportunity to use skills, to perform and be recognised.

Please give me your definition of a... (the position for which you are being interviewed).
Keep it brief and actions/results-oriented.

How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?
Very quickly – after a couple of weeks getting to know your system and clients and a brief period of adjustmenton the learning curve. Highlight that you're a quick learner and used to adapting to new situations.

How long would you stay with us?
As long as we both feel I'm contributing, achieving, growing etc.

Job search questions:

Why are you leaving your present job?
Try to give positive reasons. Give a 'group' answer if possible, such as your department was consolidated oreliminated.

Why haven't you found a new position before now?
Finding a job is easy but finding the right job is more difficult. (You are being 'selective'.)

Had you thought of leaving your present position before? If yes, what do you think held you there?
Challenge, but it's gone now.

What other types of jobs or companies are you considering?
Keep your answer related to this company's field. You want to sound focused.

Describe what you feel to be an ideal working environment.
Where people are treated as fairly as possible.

How would you evaluate your present firm?
An excellent company which afforded me many fine experiences.

What do you think of your current boss?
Be as positive as you can and explain working with him/her was a learning experience.

Your work habits and style:

If I spoke with your previous boss, what would he say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Emphasize skills - don't be too negative about your weaknesses; it's always safe to identify a lack of a skill orexperience as a shortcoming rather than a personal characteristic.

Can you work under pressure and to deadline?
Yes. Quite simply, it is a way of life in business.

Quantifying your experience and accomplishments:

Have you helped increase sales? Profits? How?
Describe your contribution in some detail.

Have you helped reduce costs? How?
Describe your contribution in some detail.

How much money did you ever account for?
Be specific.

How many people did you supervise on your last job?
Be specific.

In your current or last position, what features did you like the most? Least?
Be honest but positive.

In your current or last position, what are or were your five most significant accomplishments?
Refer to the key accomplishments already identified on your CV.

Personality questions:

What are your interests?
Show that you lead a balanced life. For example talk about books, films and activities you do outside work.

How would you describe your own personality?
Balanced.

What are your strong points?
Present at least three and relate them to the interviewing company and job opening.

What are your weak points?
Don't say you have none.
Try not to cite personal characteristics as weaknesses, but be ready to have one if interviewer presses.
Turn a negative into a positive answer: 'I am sometimes intent on completing an assignment and get too deeplyinvolved when we are late.'

For more information and advice please contact us.