Interview advice

Interviewing is an art that gets better with practice. There are two types of interview: standard interview and competency based interviews. The standard interview is more random and is based on more general questions about why you are looking for work and what you are looking for in your next role. A competency based interview is based on specific examples of your experience and examples of your work.

Please download interview questions (50k pdf) for a standard interview.

Preparation for the interview:
It is imperative that you prepare for your interview. Interviewees like to see that you have knowledge about their business and also like to hear questions based on specific knowledge of the business.


For example:
You are being interviewed by an engineering business.
You: I noticed you make 1000 widgets a day. How will you make more if you win a contract with a larger client?

The crucial points you must know about a company before your interview are:

Is the business part of a larger business and if so, who?

Is the company listed and if so where?

Who are the company's main competitors and what competitive threats exist?

What press cuttings have you found and what are your thoughts?

What is the long term view for the business?

Where will the role be based?


Always be 10 minutes early for your interview

Body language:

Eye contact and a firm handshake are the first imperative impressions.

Do not take a note pad in to your meeting. Eye contact is essential and writing notes takes the focus away from your interviewer.

Ask your interviewers questions as much as answering theirs. You will learn what you interviewers are looking for by the way they answer your questions. It is also advantageous to give examples of your experience based on your interviewer's answers.

If there are two interviewers or more, ensure you have equal eye contact with all parties.