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THE MATCHPOINT GUIDE: To success at interview

In this blog:

Our guide to effective preparation and success at interview.

 

Preparation is the key to success

  • Types of interviews
  • Do your research
  • Potential questions
  • Quirky interview questions
  • Presentations

The day of the interview

  • Practical details
  • What to wear
  • Paperwork
  • Managing nerves

In the interview

  • Put your phone away
  • Think about the questions you are being asked
  • Ask for clarification if you need to
  • Be confident but not arrogant
  • Be honest but not negative
  • Questions at the end
  • Your judgement

Follow-up

 

The joy of interviews

Love them or hate them, interviews are one of the most important aspects of securing that brilliant new role you are dreaming of. So if you are job-hunting, making sure that you develop a successful interview technique is vitally important.

In this blog we look at some of the most important aspects of preparing for your interview and performing at your best on the day.

 

Preparation is the key to success

Don’t underestimate the importance of detailed planning and preparation for the interview process.

If you are applying for a new role with Matchpoint – we will always provide you with detailed information beforehand to help you get the most out of your prep. If you are applying independently, then make sure you do plenty of research yourself.

 

The Matchpoint Guide to Success at Interview

Prep for success

 

Types of interviews

It is important to note that companies use lots of different interview formats these days, including ‘phone, skype, video, speed interviews and selection centre interviews which can last a number of days.

For the purposes of this article we are looking at traditional face to face interviews but we will investigate some of the other types in future blogs.

Do your research

It is vitally important that you research the prospective company before your interview. Businesses like candidates who take a wider interest and show that they are serious by doing their homework.

 

Our Guide to Success at Interview

Do your homework before your interview

 

If you work in a sector that is particularly affected by geopolitics and the wider macroeconomic environment, make sure you are up-to-date with current affairs related to your industry. It is easy to get caught out by a simple question like ‘What were the headline business stories on this morning’s news bulletins?’.

Potential questions

Although you can never anticipate exactly what you will be asked, it is important to plan ahead for possible questions that may come up at your interview.

It is surprising how many candidates don’t pre-prepare model answers, which can lead to waffle on the day. Spend some time beforehand thinking about how you will address particular questions or subject areas if they come up. This will help to keep you focused and succinct.

 

Think about the questions you may be asked

 

Interview questions tend to fall into a number of broad areas. Here are some examples:

General questions

  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Why do you want to change jobs?
  • Why do you want to work here?
  • Where do you see your career going in the future?
  • What are your major achievements in your current role?

Scenario questions

  • Tell us a time when you were fully responsible for managing a team or situation
  • Tell us a time when something went wrong and how you dealt with it

Role specific questions

  • What specific experience do you have which has prepared you for this role?
  • What are your qualifications for the position?
  • What revenue have you earned for your current employer?
  • What relevant qualifications or industry body memberships do you have?

 

Don’t forget that the main objective of the interviewer will be to ascertain how your skills, experience, attributes and personality will fit their specific role, team and company so you need to prepare with this focus in mind. Your objective is to present yourself as the right candidate who has the most relevant skills for the role.

 

The right candidate for the role

 

 

Quirky interview questions

Most of us have heard some great anecdotes about companies (often large and successful ones) which like to hit candidates with whacky or tough questions and puzzles at interview, in order to challenge them and see how they deal with curveballs!

This practice is less common these days, but if this happens to you, it is important to remember that there usually isn’t a ‘right’ answer as such, but the interviewer will be interested in how you approach the question and your thought processes.

Don’t panic, share your thinking and don’t worry too much about being ‘wrong’ – having a go is the most important thing.

Forbes has an entertaining article on some of the interesting questions that candidates have been asked in the past.

Presentations

It is increasingly common for companies to ask candidates to complete a piece of work or prepare a presentation on a relevant subject as part of the interview process. This will be both a test of the content of your offering, and also your confidence in presenting.

 

You may be asked to deliver a presentation at your interview

 

Make sure that you follow the brief closely, do your research and stick to the requested content and timings as closely as possible.

Unless you are applying to a role which actually requires you to give client presentations, the objective is less about your public speaking skills and more about how and what you communicate, along with the effort that you have put in to the process.

 

The day of the interview

 

Practical details

If you are well-prepared for your interview it would be a great shame to be caught out by an annoying practical detail like being late. Take the time beforehand to plan where you are going, how long it will take you to get there and how you will travel. These points might seem super obvious but it is surprising how many candidates don’t get there on time, or who arrive at the last minute flustered and definitely not ready to present themselves at their best. If the job means a lot to you then do a dry run first.

 

Leave plenty of time and plan your journey

 

What to wear

It is important to dress smartly and professionally for an interview but with an understanding of the culture of the company that you are applying to.

A smart suit is appropriate for most City roles but if the company has a relaxed dress code, a jacket and shirt or blouse may be more appropriate. You want to present yourself in a way that is right for the future role but which also allows you to feel as comfortable as possible.

 

Look smart – but also make sure you feel comfortable

 

Paperwork

Bring relevant paperwork with you – a copy of your CV and/or application and any relevant information (published articles, work portfolio etc.) that will aid you in the interview process or which are relevant to the role in question. You may also be asked to bring academic certificates or proof of ID with you.

 

Managing your nerves

This can be difficult. Some people are super relaxed and unbothered at the prospect of an interview, however onerous, whilst others feel like a bag of nerves at the very prospect. If you do get nervous, being well prepared will increase your confidence.

On the day itself, make sure you eat a sensible breakfast, allow yourself plenty of time and take a few deep breaths if you need to.

 

In the interview

Put your phone away!

Many of us have our ‘phones in our hands lots of the time. Put it away, and make sure it is switched off.

Think about the questions you are being asked

It can be tempting to babble, particularly if you feel a little nervous. Take the time to listen to the questions and think-through and answer appropriately.

Ask for clarification if you need to

Don’t be afraid to ask for something to be repeated or clarified. If you really don’t understand what you are being asked, then say so.

Be confident but not arrogant

There is a fine line between seeming positive and confident and tipping over into becoming arrogant and overbearing. Arrogance or over-confidence may have been viewed as positive in years gone by, particularly in some City jobs, but that is no longer the case. The interviewer wants to see that you are self-assured and feel confident that you will be able to do the job but they are likely to be put-off by candidates who are too full of themselves.

Be honest but not negative

It might be tempting to say ‘I want to leave my current job because my boss is a horrible tyrant’ and this may actually be true (!) but it is much better to focus on the opportunities and positive aspects of the potential new job. Being critical of your current employer is likely to ring alarm bells with a future one.

Questions at the end

It is a myth that you ‘have to ask a question’ at the end of an interview, but if it has been a successful interview process and there has been good communication and engagement, then you may well have some questions. Don’t go OTT though as the interviewer may well be pressed for time. If you don’t have anything to ask then make sure you say I think you have covered everything – thank you and not just ‘no’.

Be polite

Always thank your interviewer for their time, and say that you hope to hear from them soon.

Don’t forget – you are also making a judgement

You also need to make your own appraisal of the interviewer, the company, their offices and the role itself, so it is important that you see this as a two-way process.

Is the role right for you? Do the ambience and the culture of the organisation feel appropriate for you? It can be difficult to work this out in a relatively short amount of time but trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the company or job if there are any areas where you feel you need more information.

 

You also need to decide if the company and role are right for you

 

 

Follow-up

You may be called to a second interview, or be offered the new role. Sometimes you won’t be lucky so it is important to find out why, in order to improve your technique for future interviews.

If you are interviewing via an agency then they should follow-up on your behalf. At Matchpoint we always provide our candidates with detailed feedback on the interview process and their suitability for the role.

Just remember that for every successful candidate there will be a number of people who don’t get the job, so if this hasn’t been your day, keep positive and plan for the next one!

 

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