Interview Advice and Tips

Useful Interviewing advice and tips straight from a Birmingham Recruitment Agency.

We will help you get your next position, for sure.

All candidates who register at Orchard Oak Recruitment for temporary, contract or permanent are interviewed and assessed by a member of the team. Interviews like these are important in order to ascertain your needs and suitability for our clients and vacancies. Below you will find a few tips that will aid you during this stage of the recruitment process.

The Groundwork

It is obvious to say that you should be smartly dressed and well presented for any interview, with smart business attire and clean shoes.

To avoid getting stressed prior to your interview allow enough time to get to the location of the interview. You may wish to ‘recky’ the location first to ascertain car parking facilities, bus/ trains times.

Do not assume that the company will have copy of your CV, always have one available, your CV is your sales tool, therefore make sure it is presented professional. i.e. in a presenter or envelope.

Q & A

On arrival at your interview, remember that you are being assessed straight away. Always greet the interviewee with a firm handshake. This shows your confidence, strength of character and your enthusiasm for the role/company.
It is always a good move to show your personality in an interview, so do show your sense of humour, yet avoid being the class clown or indeed being arrogant.

Any professional interview will be a two way thing. Therefore have questions prepared to ask the interviewer. This too shows your interest in the organisation/ role and indeed the person interviewing you.

When this time is available, focus your questions on the company, the role, the team – avoid any direct financial gain (unless you are being interviewed for a sales role) focus more on the development/ training you will receive, as this will show you commitment.

During your interview you may be asked a variety questions – such may need more involved answer than one word. To aid you with this, below are examples of questioning techniques and assistance on how to answer them.

Tell me about yourself?

The interview is looking to gain a 360o statement on yourself. Here you should look to summarise you education, work history, skills and qualifications. Within this statement you should be looking to match your attributes to that of the job specification.

Describe your strengths and weaknesses

No-one likes to admit their weaknesses, however this question allows you to recognise such areas with a view to changing any behaviours. For example a weakness maybe time management – by recognising that, and explaining that you are aware is half the battle – you may wish to expand on this by suggesting a ‘things to do list’ which aids you to make this a strength.

Why are you leaving?

Always a difficult one to answer, it is unprofessional to be negative about a previous/ current employer. Focus on what you are looking for in your next role.

Avoid any negatively towards your current/ passed employer. However should you be leaving due to company changes, redundancies; it is fair to bring this to the interviewer attention as to avoid speculation on your commitment.

What have you achieved in your current role?

Such a question allows you to show the interviewer your abilities, enthusiasm whilst expanding on your achievements. You may have been employee of the month, achieved a sales targets, reduced costs or retained a client. Should you have evidence of any of your achievements it is always worth while having those available. I.E certificates, bonus claim forms or client testimonials.

Why us?

Interviewers like to know that you want this job, not just a job. So researching the company will allow you to show this. This is the time where you can expand on the reasons why you have applied for the role, why this company and not a competitor.
You may wish to review the websites, for any recent acquisitions, share price, or company achievements

Why you?

Using the person specification, you may wish to pick key areas which your personal qualifications match. For example if the client is requesting PC literacy, you may wish to expand on any IT qualifications such as NVQ Word/ Excel. Or if a client is seeking a professional body such as CeMAP, you may wish to have certificates available, or show evidence of learning.

What do you do in your spare time?

With this question, the client is trying to gain an understanding of you as a person. For example a sporting interest could denote if you are a team player. An interest in professional organisations could also prove your commitment to your career. Be aware of too much detail – you do not want the interviewer to get the impression that you are not focused on the role at hand.

To conclude

Prepare
‘Recky’ the site
Firm handshake
Smile
Listen to the questions
Answer appropriately – with examples
Ask questions
Summarise your skills, attributes and desire for the role
Thank all interviewers for them time
Confirm your interest