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Interview Tips and Techniques

Perform better in interviews with our quick and easy tips

Your CV has got you the interview. Now comes the verbal dialogue - either face-to-face or over the phone. Apply the tips below to your interview preparation and to the interview itself, and you'll be well on your way to securing your next job!

Know your CV inside out

Make sure you know every detail of your track record, education, qualifications, jobs held, responsibilities and challenges, promotions, pay rises, targets achieved, results produced and current income package - and also be prepared to talk about your interests and hobbies.

Research the company (if you know who it is)

Make sure you can talk intelligently about the company's products, markets, growth performance, values, strategic direction, leadership team, etc. Do your homework! It will pay off.

Know what you want

Be confident about the salary range you're looking for and your short- and long-term goals. As far as possible, understand how this ties up with the job you're going for.

Before the interview...

• Ask what type of interview it will be; e.g., one-to-one, group interview, panel interview, interview over lunch, pre-screening interview, etc.
• Prepare concrete examples of your accomplishments, experience and specific skills.
• Be prepared to talk about your broader skills (e.g., problem-solving, analytical skills, planning, conflict resolution, stress management, etc.).
• Be prepared to talk about your personal qualities; e.g., adaptability, good leader, good initiative, detail person, big-picture person, always prompt, loyal, team player, creative, learn from mistakes, etc.
• Prepare for some of the typical questions you'll be asked; e.g., what you enjoy about your job, what energises you, your strengths and weaknesses, how other people describe you, the environment in which you thrive, why you want the job, your specific goals, why you're leaving your current job, how you respond to feedback and criticism, your attitude to risk, etc. You can't prepare for all of them, but these will give you a good start.
• Prepare some intelligent questions to ask the interviewer about the previous person/people in the position, whether they're also recruiting from within, expectations and targets, key responsibilities, key challenges of the job, training programmes, specific projects, etc.
• Decide what you're going to wear to make a good impression.
• Practise, practise, practise!
• Get a good night's sleep.

What to take

Put together your interview ‘pack' well ahead of time. Include specific anecdotes and examples to highlight your points (take brief notes if you need them), business cards (if appropriate), copies of your CV together with details of references and samples of your work, as long as they don't break any confidentiality. Also, remember to take the interviewer's contact details and a location map.

On the day...

Get there early!

Before you go in...

Relax, breathe calmly, gather your confidence and your focus - and be yourself.

During the interview

• Be prepared for the unexpected. You may be asked to sell something obscure to the interviewer, get hands-on using your technical skills or deal with deliberately uncomfortable silences or disconcerting behaviour from the interviewer. Take it all in your stride and maintain your focus.
• Keep EVERYTHING relevant to the position you're applying for.
• Be honest and answer concisely using examples and showing that you've thought about your answers.
• Follow the interviewer's lead. If they seem inexperienced, offer important information you feel they may not ask you. Help the interviewer make the link between your previous experience and what the new job requires.
• Maintain eye contact and remember names.
• Never divulge confidences.
• Enjoy it!

After the interview

Thank the interviewer, if appropriate, and reinforce how much you want the job (if you do!).

Three final things to remember

1. Never criticise your current/previous employers.

2. Keep in mind that the interviewer could be your future manager or supervisor.

3. Interviewers want to know why they should hire you. Help them understand why.

Download our tips on writing a powerful CV

Good Luck! from all of us @ Buzzy International.