Preparing for interviews
Understanding the interview process
Professional conduct in an interview
situation is important for the application
process
o Before responding to an advertisement -
research the company
• To discover who they are or what they do
• Sell yourself appropriately in the cover letter
• Reduces the number of CVs and letters you send out
• Helps to formulate appropriate questions to ask
Dress for success
Interview = professional encounter – dress
appropriately
Your clothes speak as loudly as your voice
Project professionalism that would carry
over into the workplace
• Select conservative, neutral colours
• Accessories should not be too bold/flashy
• Clean and tidy
• Hair and nails should be neatly groomed
• Avoid powerful perfumes or aftershaves
• Small briefcase/ portfolio
Composing yourself
Be prepared & present yourself in a memorable way:
• Know the time and location of the interview
• Arrive early
• Greet everyone courteously
• Smile warmly and maintain eye contact
• Listen carefully to your interviewer’s name
• Maintain proper posture and do not fidget or slouch
• Provide direct, complete answers to questions
• If asked a question you do not understand, politely ask
for it to be repeated
• Answer questions honestly
• Present a positive attitude
• Prepare your own questions
At the conclusion of the interview, ensure that you know
the next step in the interview process
Composing yourself
AVOID:
• Cellphone calls
• Chewing gum
• Speaking negatively about previous
employers
• Mentioning salary questions
• Sounding desperate or frustrated in your
job search
4 internal stages of the interview process:
• Introductory stage: interviewer attempts to build
a relationship & evaluate your reaction to the
situation
• Background stage: asks questions to reveal
academic & employment history
• Matching stage: more deeply assesses whether
your skills match the needs for the job
• Finishing stage: interviewer gives opportunity to
ask questions
The interviewer will conclude the session by advising you when or if you can expect to be
contacted
Anticipating & evaluating possible interview questions
Questions are asked to get specific information about you,
interests and goals.
Answer questions in ways that show you are dynamic and
interested in many different activities.
Prepare in advanced for questions:
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• What are your future plans?
• What would a friend or employer say about your personality?
• Why should we hire you?
• Would you be prepared to work overtime, travel or relocate?
Behavioural Interviewing
Questions based on experience.
• Real-life scenarios.
o Shows interviewer:
• What you learnt from experience
• The skills and behaviours you have developed
Examples of behavioural interview questions:
1. Give an example of an encounter you have had with
an angry customer. Tell me how you worked through
the situation.
2. Describe a time you were required to make a quick
decision. Upon what did you base your response?
3. Explain a tricky problem you have encountered and
how you went about solving it.
Do not repeat questions answered in the
interview.
Ask questions that will show your interest in the
company and the position you are applying for.
Do not ask about salary OR benefits in the initial
interview stage.
o Do your homework about the position and
company in regard to potential salary ranges.
o Know your worth (marketability).
o If you are asked what your salary requirements
are:
• Be prepared to justify this figure.
o Be aware that a very high figure may make the
company to pull away from you as a possible
candidate.
The importance of body language for interviews
Movements & Posture:
• Maintain eye contact & smile warmly.
• Maintain a relaxed posture.
• Nervousness – avoid jerky movements/ tapping.
• Control your movements - relaxed and friendly.
• Be careful not to come across as too confident.
• Use hand gestures.
• Elbows off the table.
Attire:
• Clean nails & hair.
• Wear neutral colours and style.
• Stay away from tight/ill-fitting clothes.
Social zone:
• Personal space
• Don’t be too close or too far.
Listening:
• Leaning slightly forward
• Direct eye contact
• Nod to acknowledge speaker.
Arrive 10 minutes early.
Follow the interviewer’s guide - listen to when
he/she is ending the session.
Following up
Compose a thank you letter.
• Be polite & respectful.
• Shows you appreciate their time spent on your interview.
With this, send any other information the
interviewer may have requested.
Address these to the interviewer or the
chief interviewer.
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