Tiro Associates - online recruitment consultancy

• The perfect CV cover letter
• Interview tips
• The best way to resign

Interview Techniques

Interviews can sometimes be a bit daunting, especially if you’re a bit out of practice… The best way to handle the situation is to be prepared.
The interviewer will be evaluating the interviewee on three main criteria:

1. Are you able to do the job?
2. Are you willing to put in the effort to make the job a success?
3. Are you manageable?

Listed below are some useful tips and guidelines in expecting the unexpected.

Dress to impress
First impressions are crucial, smart business dress is essential for any interview, smile and offer a firm handshake.

Research
It is vital that you have done your homework, research the company website or contact the company in advance and ask the receptionist to send you a brochure. Refer to any knowledge that is relevant in the interview.

Possible questions they might ask

How do you feel about your progress to date?
Be positive; make the interviewer believe that you want to work for their company and that you are confident of your future career path with them. Tell them you are flexible in attitude and willing to learn new tasks.

What would you like to be doing in five years from now?
The safe answer is to show your desire to progress as far as you can, by being a successful team player and acting in a professional manner at all times. This question gives you the opportunity to ask what future career path the company can offer you.

What are your biggest achievements?
Keep your answer work related. Be prepared with 2 or 3 examples of where you feel you contributed towards a success or worked well as part of a successful team.

Tell me about yourself?
Do not ramble, again try to keep the majority of your conversation work related, however, this is also an opportunity to show your personal side, but keep the information general and light hearted!

What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Be prepared for this one, hi-light one or two professional attributes, for example pride in your work, extremely organised, reliable etc. Try to change any weaknesses into positives i.e. I set myself tough personal objectives and can sometimes get frustrated if I do not complete them on time. Convince your interviewer that you will turn weaknesses into strengths and are keen to learn new skills.

What are you looking for in your next role?
You are looking for a role that enables you to make an immediate contribution based on your experience and skills. The key word here is ‘contribution’ what skills you can bring to the company.

Why do you want to leave your current/last position?
Have acceptable reasons for leaving every job you have held, if not try one of the most suitable from the following:

• The company did not offer you the opportunity for future progression
• The journey to work was unreasonably long
• You felt you were underpaid for your skills & experience
• You were unsure with regards to the financial stability of the company
• You wanted to work for a company with a better reputation within the industry

Possible questions you might ask

Interviews are a two way process, it is just as important for you to ask questions about the company as it is for them to as questions about you. Again be prepared, do not feel afraid to take a pen and paper with you and have a list of prepared questions. The chances are some of them may have been answered in the interview process but it is still important to let your future employer know you have taken the time to prepare.

• What are the reasons for this vacancy? What happened to the last person in the role?
• Who will you report to? When will you get an opportunity to meet them?
• What opportunities are there for training?
• What would a typical day in the role involve?
• What are the realistic chances for future career progression?
• What skills and attributes are most required to get ahead in the company?
• Who do you feel will be the company’s main competitors over the next few years?
• Is there a written job description; if so is it possible to have a copy?
• If successful today what will the next stage be or when would you like me to start?

At the end of the interview don’t forget to thank your interviewer for their time, if you are interested in the role let them know.