Interview Do's and Don'ts
Remember when your friendly recruiter told you to prepare for your upcoming interview, but you ran out of time, fudged it and came away feeling that you could have done a better job? What better time to do some interview prep for upcoming opportunities than RIGHT NOW!
If you have been made redundant, are likely to experience job loss, or are looking for a change of career, then be proactive and get prepared!
Ensure that your CV is up to date and don’t be afraid to create different CVs for your different skill sets. It takes a little bit of time, but make sure the skills listed on your cv are relevant to the role you are applying for.
If you have a qualification, license or ticket, find out when it expires or what its equivalent is, so you can cover this off at your interview. (If you have an OSH certification, make sure it’s added to your license, if you have a TC or STMS qualification, make sure you have the number and expiry date).
Get in touch with the referees listed on your cv
Are their phone numbers still current?
Do they remember you? Let them know what you’re up to and what your goals are moving forward – you will get a far better reference if your referee has this information.
Is there someone more appropriate that you could use, or add to your list of referees?
Do some online research on Behavioural Interviewing which is commonly used by many organisations
Prepare great answers to common interview questions
Use this time to plan your interview wardrobe
Criminal Checks
Do not be afraid to discuss past criminal convictions with your recruiter.
They will know whether it will be an issue and how best to manage this conversation with their client. DO
NOT try and hide a conviction or be vague about it at interview. Recruiters are not easily shocked, it is far
better to be honest and win the role, than lose your dream role, because you’ve tried to hide something that may not be an issue.
Interview Questions
Believe it or not, the most common interview questions that candidates get tripped up on, are the ones that
we should know the answers to.
o What are your Strengths?
Telling complete strangers what our strengths are when we’re sitting at interview feeling nervous is harder than you think. Spend some time figuring out your strengths and weaknesses whilst you’re cooped up at home … you’ll soon figure out where ‘patience’ is a strength or weakness and whether you’re an ‘inside’ or
‘outside’ person. Really struggling? Then ask your nearest and dearest (those you’re cooped up with), I’m sure some of those in your ‘bubble’ will be more than happy to assist (whether you want them to or not)
o What are your Weaknesses?
Remember that a weakness is not necessarily something negative. A weakness is just something that you need to work harder at than your strengths.
o What do you know about our organisation?
The biggest slap in the face to a hiring manager is spending valuable time, interviewing candidates who have not taken the time to research the company they are interviewing with. There’s really no excuse in 2020… Google really is your friend.
o If you are successful, when are you available to start?
If you’ve made it to interview, then it’s wise to have figured this out so the hiring manager can figure out how your availability will impact their organisation.
o Is there anything else you wish to know?
This question is commonly asked at the end of an interview. Make sure you have a couple of questions up your sleeve (write them down if you must), the curlier the better! Again, if you have taken the time to research the organisation you are interviewing with, then you will be sure to have a couple of genuine questions.