A word about interviews - PREPARE

Not many of us relish going for an interview as we are removed from our comfort zones and placed under the spotlight. However, if you take the time to prepare and think about what you might be asked and how you might answer, then you will definately improve your chances. The days of ‘seat of the pants’ interviews are long gone and you will be competing with others who will have done their homework so make sure you have got all bases covered.

The interview is also a two way process and a golden opportunity for you to make sure this opportunity meets your requirements for the next step in your career.  Whilst interviews differ from business to business and interviewer to interviewer, the following check list has been designed to ensure that you can make the very most of the occasion.

• Confirm your attendance and clarify date, time and venue (It will also be worth checking the dress code at that time - on most occasions it will be smart business dress).
• If it’s an assessment day, check what this will comprise of.
• Prior to the interview it would be a good idea to do a trial run to the venue so that you can be sure of the location, calculate the journey time and find a place to park etc.
• Ensure you know exactly what they are looking for in the position applied for and think about how you fit that need.
• Research the company online and in the press – e.g. latest results, future plans, etc.
• Visit as many stores as possible and complete a Store Visit Report – for a sample click here
• It is also essential to do a competitor analysis so you fully understand the industry, the sector and how your prospective employer stacks up.
• If you have to do a presentation, remember that preparation takes much, much longer than the presentation time.
• Practice your presentation in the mirror or in front of family and friends so you can build confidence, present it from memory and within the time allowed.
• Research and practice typical interview questions.
• List the questions you want to ask - these indicate your priorities.
• At the end of the interview thank the interviewer and reiterate your interest in the role.
• Contact your consultant immediately after the interview to give feedback – the employer will want to know your reactions ASAP.

The 360 view as to how to answer questions effectively

If you are selected for interview then the employer obviously likes the look of your CV and recognises in you, the necessary skills and experience required for the role. It also means your recruitment consultant thinks you have everything required for the role. So, in reality, you are part way to securing your new job.

But your challenge is to make your CV come to life and demonstrate in the short time available, that you have the right blend of skills, experience, attitude and personality for the position in question.

When candidates aren’t successful in an interview it’s not usually because the employer thinks that they couldn't do the job successfully, it’s just that they don’t demonstrate it well enough.

The 3-step approach to answering tricky questions

However, if you can learn this simple format, it will give you an even better chance of making a lasting impression.

1. Offer a summary answer to the question - an introduction which gives an overview of your thought process and approach.
2. Expand upon your summary with more depth and detail to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
3. Then give the result of that approach in practice – indicating when, where and how.

Click here to see an example