An Introduction
Types of Interview
1-2-1 Face to Face (2nd person may observe and score answers)
Telephone (Often used as initial pre-interview sift)
Panel (3 or more interviewers)
Assessment Centre (group activity followed by 1-2-1 interview- looking
for communication skills, contribution, relationship building, team work)
Informal Interview (may be held off-site and seem easy-going BUT it is
an interview and all rules apply)
BE PREPARED
Fail to Prepare, Prepare to
DO
Practice/rehearse possible Q+As
Know your CV inside-out (you will be tested)
Look + speak with confidence (use concise answers)
Look directly at interviewer, smile (engage interviewer not your notes)
Show Passion (Genuine interest) for sector and role
Be Positive concentrate on positives and quantify where you can
Give specific answers- what you did, how, why and result (STAR)
Tell them about yourself (but keep it business-like) Recruiter wants to
know what qualities you have which improve your Fit within company
team
Department for Work & Pensions
DONT
Expect to know all the answers be honest and advise your best guess
is(shows your problem-solving skills, thought processes, reaction
under pressure, how you handle the unknown)
Worry about lack of experience THEY KNOW THAT ALREADY.
Interviewer is looking for reasons to employ you so SELL your
personality, emphasise your soft-skills and your ability to learn/adapt.
Give long-winded answers be concise, business-like.
Worry if asked about weaknesses. We all have them! Admitting a
weakness shows self-awareness (your interviewer wants to know how
you cope/tackle/overcome your weakness).
Be NEGATIVE
DECIDING FACTORS
Many applicants have your qualifications/experience, So Why
Hire You?
Best Fit means you will perform better, you are more likely to stay with
them And you are more likely to enjoy working with them!
10
11
General
Every question is posed for a reason you are given the opportunity to
provide answers which tick another box in a list of reasons to hire you...
Teamwork
Co-operative
Flexible to business/customer needs
Adaptable
Willing/able to learn and adopt company methods
How you react/perform under pressure
How you engage people (customers/colleagues)
Professionalism
Understanding of company/business needs
NEVER criticise former employers/managers
Be GENUINE, Be YOURSELF
Department for Work & Pensions
12
And Finally
13