How to survive an interview

The short time you spend at a job interview could have a dramatic effect on your career prospects. These hints, combined with the guidance provided by our consultants, will equip you with valuable information on how to conduct yourself during interviews with prospective employers.

Preparing for an interview

Preparation is the first essential step towards a successful interview. Company interviewers are continually amazed at the number of applicants who drift into their offices without any apparent preparation and only the vaguest idea of what they are going to say. Thus, it is essential you:

	Know the exact place and time of the interview, the interviewer's full name, the correct pronunciation and his/her title.
	Find out specific facts about the company - where its plants, offices or stores are located;
	What its products and services are; what its growth has been;
	And what its growth potential is for the future. Refresh your memory on the facts and figures of your present/former employer. You will be expected to know a lot about a company that you have previously worked for.

Typical questions you will be asked

Before the interview consider how you would answer the following questions:

Career focus

	Why did you choose this particular role?
	What do you really want to do in your next career move?
	What do you want to be doing in your career five years from now? Why?

Experience & working environment

	What have you learnt from some of the jobs you have held? Which did you enjoy most? Why?
	What is your major weakness? What have you done about it?
	What do you think determines a person's progress in a good company?
	What style of management gets the best from you?
	What does 'teamwork' mean to you?

Motivation & interests

	Why would you like to work for our organisation?
	What interests you about our products or services?
	How do you spend your spare time? What are your hobbies?
	What type of books do you read? What was the last one?

Questions you should consider asking

Prepare the questions you will ask during the interview. Remember that an interview is a 'two-way-street' and you must determine through questioning whether the company will give you the opportunity for the growth and development you seek. Probing questions you might ask:

	A detailed description of the position?
	Reason the position is available?
	Culture of company?
	Anticipated induction and training program?
	What sort of people have done well?
	Advanced training programs available for those who demonstrate outstanding ability.
	Earnings of those successful people in their third to fifth year?
	Company growth plans?
	Best-selling products or services?

What to wear

Dress conservatively and preferably in darker colours, pay attention to all facets of your dress and grooming.





The Interview

You are being interviewed because the interviewer wants to hire somebody - not because he/she wants to trip you up or embarrass you. 

Through the interaction which will take place during the interview, he/she will be searching out your strong and weak points, evaluating you on your qualifications, skills and intellectual qualities and he/she will probably probe deeply to determine your attitudes, aptitudes, stability, motivation and maturity. 

Some 'Do's' and 'Don'ts' concerning the interview.

Do 

	DO plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
	DO greet the interviewer by his/her surname if you are sure of the pronunciation. If you are not, ask them to repeat their name.
	DO shake hands firmly.
	DO wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair. Look alert and interested at all times. Be a good listener as well as a good talker. Smile.
	DO look a prospective employer in the eye while you talk to him/her.
	DO follow the interviewer's leads but try to get the interviewer to describe the position and the duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to the position.
	DO make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself to an interviewer. Make him/her realize the need for you in his/her organisation. Smile.
	DO always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on opportunity. It is better to be in the position where you can choose from a number of jobs rather than only one.

Don’t

	DON'T answer questions with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. Explain whenever possible. Tell those things about yourself which relate to the position.
	DON'T lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as to-the-point as possible.
	DON'T ever make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies.
	DON'T 'over answer' questions. The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics, since this can be ticklish, it is best to answer the questions honestly, trying not to say more than is necessary.
	DON'T enquire about SALARY, HOLIDAYS, BONUSES etc, at the initial interview unless you are positive the employer is interested in hiring you and raises the issue first. However, you should know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range.

Closing the Interview

	If you are interested in the position, ask for it. Ask for the next interview if the situation demands. If he/she offers the position to you, and you want it, accept on the spot. If you wish some time to think it over, be courteous and tactful in asking for that time. Set a definite date when you can provide an answer.
	Don't be too discouraged if no definite offer is made, or specific salary discussed. The interviewer will probably want to communicate with his/her office first or interview more applicants before making a decision.
	If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, don't let your discouragement show. Once in a while an interviewer who is genuinely interested in your possibilities may seem to discourage you in order to test your reaction.
	Thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration of you.

After the Interview

Last, and most important, call the consultant who referred you to the position immediately after the interview and explain what happened. He/she will want to talk with you before the interviewer calls him/her back. 

If you are interested in progressing further it will assist if your feelings towards the position are known, together with your perception of what the client's reaction is likely to be.





Top 10 negative factors to watch for

During the course of an interview, the employer will be evaluating your negative factors as well as your positive attributes. Listed below are the top 10 negative factors frequently evaluated during the course of an interview and those, which most often lead to rejection.

	Poor personal appearance.
	Overbearing-aggressive-conceited 'superiority complex' 'know-it-all'.
	Lack of interest and enthusiasm-passive and indifferent.
	Lack of confidence and inability to express thoughts clearly.
	Over-emphasis on money - persistent attitude of 'what can you do for me?'.
	Evasive-makes excuses for unfavourable factors in record.
	Condemnation of past employers.
	Failure to look interviewer in the eye.
	Limp handshake.
	Lack of preparation for interview - failure to get information about the company, resulting in inability to ask intelligent questions.