Interview Preparation

Interview Preparation
Interviews should always be two way meetings. Not only are they an opportunity for the interviewer to find out about you, your skills and motivations, and whether you are a suitable candidate for the position, but they are also an opportunity for you to find out about the organisation and if the position will provide you with the challenge and job satisfaction you are looking for. Make sure you get the most of the occasion, so you’re in a position to accept the job if offered.

Relax, enjoy it, and be enthusiastic, and you shouldn’t go too far wrong.

Re-familiarise yourself with your career:
Please spend some preparation time looking through your CV.

All interviews will use your CV as the principle structure for the interview. Print off your CV off and sit down with a pen. Working up from the start of your career, look through your CV in detail and write notes in relation to the companies, roles, projects, technologies you have with. Re- familiarise yourself with your career and what you have actually done – what you have found challenging and enjoyed doing to date and of course that which you enjoyed less so.

You are looking for the “war stories” – examples of episodes in your career you are particularly proud of, or examples of things which may be relevant when asked. This can be things which have gone very well, things which have gone badly, or examples of people you have worked with and what the dynamics were.

This exercise will also highlight what you enjoy and where your strengths lie, and is will further allow you to focus on what further opportunities you now want. It will ensure you know exactly what you are looking for in a new role & new company.

Ensure you know about the role and the company:
Make sure you get all the information on the role that we have. Make sure you have the job spec, and that you take the time to discuss this with your consultant in detail in plenty of time before your interview.

Have a look through the job spec in detail – in the same way as your CV, print it off and write notes on it. You should try to match your skills and experience to it; noting what real life examples you can talk about from your CV, and trying to match as many as possible. Make note on any questions you might have in relation to the spec, which you can talk about at the interview.

Make sure you are familiar with the company website. Don’t feel you have to go crazy – it’s an interview, not an exam on the company – but ensure you understand who they are and what they do, and importantly who the people you are meeting are, and what they do for the organisation.

Be Enthusiastic – Get There Early
Make sure you know where you’re going and get there in plenty of time. You should ideally
be there calmly with 15 minutes to spare.
Often the decision to hire is made in the first 10 seconds. Greet the employer with a firm handshake; make eye contact, and smile. Try to relax, be self confident, but not cocky, and let your personality shine through – one of the more common complaints we here is about people being overly professional! Be polite and friendly – in fact, just be yourself.
It’s a very well respected rule of thumb that you should ALWAYS wear a suit to an interview (or something suit-like for ladies if you like) – if you plan to wear anything different, please ask your consultant for advice,

Competency based questions
Today’s interviews tend to be Behavioural-based or Competency-based. The questions will be worded in such a way as to elicit a personality or work trait through how you have handled things in the past – i.e. “tell me about a time when…” NB – there are examples of such questions at the end of this document.
These questions may appear oblique, but they have their uses. Try to make your answers short and to the point. Use your work and education as the basis of your answers. It is not acceptable to say you cannot remember an applicable instance.
Hopefully the preparation work you do with your CV should help you answer these questions – you should have some War Stories which might be interesting to talk about. If you want to pause before you answer – that’s fine, simply say you need a moment to think about it. Much better to take a moment and deliver an answer which is relevant, than launch headlong into a describing a situation which might not be.
There is a textbook way to answer these questions… That is to briefly describe the situation, then talk in more detail about your actions, i.e. what you did, then to briefly describe the outcome or the result. It’s important to you about what you as opposed to what we did –they are interested in you, not your team.

Be specific
Your consultant explained how your background and experience fit the employer’s specifications; bring those points into your answers. Include specific factors that relate to the position. Use examples of past experiences and special achievements that will help the employer picture you successfully in the position. It’s often more effective to talk about specifics rather than hypotheticals – If applicable tell how you saved your past employers money or increased productivity, etc. Construct your answers so the employer will see you in the job.

Asking questions
Many employers evaluate the candidate by the questions that are asked. Employers like specific questions about the job, or the company’s plans and goals. This is not the time to ask about salary, benefits, vacations or hours. Employers like candidates who show a genuine interest and enthusiasm in them as employers. There is a list of questions people have asked in the past at the end of this document.

Salary/rate
The employer may ask you how much you are looking for. Just be open and honest, let them know your current salary and any benefits. It’s fine to ask for an improvement on what you’re currently earning. If you feel more comfortable then deflect the question back onto us – just tell them they would be better discussing that question with your consultant.
If you’re interviewing for a contract job, never discuss the rate! Obviously the charge rate to the client and our pay rate to you will be different! Just say that the rate is a matter for Cathcart Associates, and they should ask us.
If the employer makes a firm offer and you want the job, accept it. If you are doubtful or undecided ask for 24 hours to think it over. Never refuse an offer of employment until you have time to think it over and discuss it with your consultant.

Say thank you in person and in writing
Before leaving the interview thank the interviewer for taking the time to talk with you. Follow up with a personal thank you note or email stating why you are interested and that you can do and want the job – and send that to your consultant.
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Good questions to ask at interviews
• What is the most important (crucial) part of this job?
• What is your management style?
• How much will I be expected to travel?
• To whom would I report?
• Could you describe your perception of an ideal candidate for this position?
• What is a typical career path for this position?
• What is your perception of what I’ll be doing on a daily (weekly) basis?
• What are some of your company’s foremost aims and goals?
• What are the short/long term goals for this department and how do they relate to the company as a whole?
• Where does this company see it’s self in five years?
• How would you describe the environment I’ll be working in?
• How would my performance be assessed?
• Please describe the organization of the company?
• What do you like about working here?

Good things to do at an interview
• Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile
• Make good eye contact
• Maintain good posture and don’t fidget. Sit upright (do not slouch) in the chair
• Listen carefully and wait your turn to speak
• Dress professionally. Business suit only unless told otherwise
• Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled interview time
• Research the company and know the current issues (Get their annual report or look for their website)
• Know why you want to work for the company and how you can contribute
• Remember that anyone you come into contact with may have input into the hiring decision – always be polite
• Have relevant questions prepared for the interview
• Know what sets you apart from other candidates – what are your strengths
• Practice before going to the actual interview
• Send a thank you note to all the people with whom you have met – send this to your consultant so they can pass it on
• Remember firms are choosing from a number of qualified applicants: don’t take rejection personally
• Talk with individuals who have previously worked in the company or industry you are interested in
• Have a clear understanding of what you want to get across in the interview
• Think about the interviewer’s questions before you give just any answer, make sure it clearly answers the question
• Document with notes after the interview for follow-up and a thank you note
• Call if you are going to be late – either directly or to your consultant

Not good things to do before / at an interview
• Arrive late
• Wear heavy make-up, cologne or perfumes
• Smoke before your interview
• Focus on your perceived weakness or lack of experience
• Be critical of current employers
• Exaggerate or lie about yourself or your work history
• Arrive unprepared
• Ask questions for the sake of asking questions
• Ramble about non-relevant issues
• Show impatience with the interviewer, even if you have been kept waiting too long
• Assume that you know the outcome of the interview after it is over – you are not a mind reader
• Let the interview process stress you out
• Be afraid to use non-work experience to highlight a particular skill