The Perfect Job Interview

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Exercise 2B, page 50. For many of us, a job interview ranks as one of life’s toughest challenges. Common responses to a call to interview, range from mild apprehension to downright terror and little wonder. Presenting ourselves to our best advantage in today’s fiercely competitive job market is a daunting task to say the least. Human resources manager, Tim Foster, joins me today with advice and tips on how to shine at your interview and hopefully secure that job.

Tim, welcome to the program. Thanks, John. Yes, job interviews certainly do present a challenge, but don’t forget that they also provide you with the opportunity to find out more about the position you’ve applied for. To do that successfully, however, it pays to do some homework. Homework?

Yes. If you can, arrange to visit the company or organization you’re interested in joining, at least a week prior to your interview. To familiarise yourself with the environment, the type of work they do and the kind of tasks you’re likely to be assigned as an employee. Perhaps the company’s promotional leaflets or brochures are available at the reception desk. If so, take them and read them.

A little preparatory work will not only boost your self-confidence, but also convince a prospective employer that your interest in the company’s service or product is genuine. I see. So what next? Don’t let your investigations go to waste. Use the information you’ve gathered, both to prepare questions, and anticipate those you’re likely to be asked during the interview.

I suppose it wouldn’t be a bad idea to write them down, either, would it? Of course not. And doing so will certainly help you remember details or ideas you might otherwise forget. What about easing those pre-interview nerves? Well, once again, it’s all down to preparation.

Be organised. Don’t overlook what may appear to be the least significant details, such as deciding what to wear to the interview, or how you intend to get there. Arriving late for your appointment will give a bad first impression. So always consider the possibility of traffic jams, delayed buses or trains, and so on. And aim to arrive for your interview with plenty of time to spare.

Okay, supposing we’ve made it to the interview without any serious hitches or last-minute panics. What next? Don’t forget that your conduct may be observed both before and after the interview. From the moment you walk into the building, be polite and courteous to staff and fellow candidates alike. The person you wish good morning to in the reception area may be among the team of interviewers you’ll meet later.

Good point. So then, how about the interview itself? Well, following the guidelines I’ve just mentioned should ensure that you enter the interview room feeling calm and focused. If you don’t, at least smile. After all, this is an interview, not an interrogation.

Listen carefully to the questions you are asked and try to answer clearly and succinctly. If you don’t understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat it or explain what he or she means, but avoid saying nothing at all at any cost. If you simply don’t know the answer to a question, Tim, what then? Then say so, but always try to offer a reasonable alternative answer. Remember, you have a limited amount of time to convince the interviewer that you are the right person for the job.

Don’t waste it. Right. At which point in the interview is it appropriate to ask questions? What most interviews conclude with the interviewer inviting the candidate to ask questions and it would be unusual to have no queries at all. Having said that, if all your questions have been answered in the course of the interview, then say so.

It goes without saying that you should never ask the interviewer personal questions about his or her private life. Believe it or not, it happens. Tim, thanks very much for your advice and good luck to all job hunters who are tuned to this program. Now, on a slightly different subject…