Careers: Face to face
You have secured an interview for a desired role – the next step is to prepare for the interview to give yourself the best possible chance of receiving a job offer. Good interview preparation is more important than ever in today’s competitive market.
The basics
First impressions count – it is your introduction to the company and potentially your future boss. Dress as you would to visit a client and look to engage with your interviewers. Make sure that you are on time for the interview – being a few minutes early can settle any nerves.
The fundamentals of interviews
The purpose of the interview is to establish:
>> Are you suitable for the role?
>>Do you want the role? (Is the role the right move for you?)
It is very important to cover both aspects.
Demonstrating that you are suitable is a mixture of your skills and experience and your attitude and ambition. Your CV will cover your skills and experience but you should be ready to expand upon each of the points in your CV in more depth. If you cannot expand upon items on your CV it will weaken your credibility to deliver in these areas. The interviewer is looking for evidence of what YOU will contribute to the organisation, so remember to emphasise your own personal contribution to projects.
In terms of attitude and ambition – the main question is where do you want this role to take you – why are you applying? This links into ‘why do you want this role?’
An ideal answer might cover with enthusiasm why your skills and experience are a good fit for the role, and how the role fits with your career objectives. However, this needs to be backed up with reality and research.
Research
The best way to demonstrate that you want a job is to research the role and company to which you are applying. Good research will also help equip you for the interviewer’s questions and enable you to be more incisive in your questioning. However, ensure that your questions are relevant and that you are really interested in the answers. Be prepared to ask follow-up questions to demonstrate this.
The interview
The overall objective here is to come across as a strong potential employee. You should also be yourself. Look to build rapport with the interviewer. Remember that the interviewer will also be looking to build rapport with you. For example, when the interviewer asks about your weekend or your journey, take the opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills. Be enthusiastic, positive and energetic.
Listen hard to what you have been asked and answer clearly. Look to ask questions which build upon the conversation.
Some things to avoid
An overemphasis on financial considerations and contract details (often holidays) should be avoided – this can be dealt with at job offer stage.
Avoid stressing the negatives of previous employers – there is a reason that you are interviewing – but it is a stronger argument to say “look at all the things that are good about my current role – but this role would be better because of the following.”
The interviewer’s questions
Often, part or all of an interview takes the form of competency based questions, such as:
>> Tell me about a time when you worked well in a team?
>> What were the development needs highlighted at your last performance review?
>> Tell me about an occasion when you excelled or exceeded expectations?
>> Can you describe a difficult situation you have dealt with?
>> Can you tell me about how you deal with tight deadlines when you have multiple projects?
You will also be expected to answer technical questions to demonstrate in detail the depth and breadth of your experience. Think about why the questions are being asked. The interviewer is looking for evidence that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the role. They are also trying to establish how you will fit into their team and whether you really want the job. Take the opportunity to demonstrate this. Give examples to support your answers. Illustrate your relevant experience and your transferable skills. Be commercial.
Stress the positive in your answers. Show awareness of your relative weaknesses and focus on how you are working to address these. The key here is to show a positive attitude to the challenges ahead.
Give some thought in advance to what you want the interviewer to know about you and make sure that you take the opportunity to tell them.
Your questions
Take the opportunity to ask relevant questions to demonstrate your interest in the role and to obtain the vital information you need to make an informed decision about whether the role is right for you. Give the interviewer the chance to sell the organisation, team and role.
The questions you ask should take account of the interviewer and the role you are applying for. As noted above, only ask questions when you are interested in the answer. For example:
>> How would I fit into the team?
>> What would my day-to -day role involve?
>> What are the big challenges that the team is currently facing?
>> How much exposure to the board will I have?
>> Will I have the opportunity to influence the organisation’s strategy?
At interview stage, it is advisable not to discuss contractual details unless the company leads this line of questioning.
Practice makes perfect
Being interviewed, like everything else, is much easier if you have practiced. Have someone ask you interview questions who is able to listen, probe and advise as to ways in which to polish and refine your answers. If your preparation is thorough you will add depth to your answers and precision to your questioning.
Finally - add some energy!
All the above may be wasted if you do not now add your energy and enthusiasm to the meeting. Leave your interviewer with the thought that you will add to the team and help create a fantastic start to 2010.
______________________________________________________________
Louis Manson is joint-managing director of Star Actuarial Futures
Louis Manson
