Right People,

Right Time, Right Place

Interview management

Preparing for interview is not something you should do when sat in the Customer’s Reception Area. Interview planning needs to be structured, comprehensive, and taken seriously.

The core areas to focus on ahead of interview are:

• Research the customer’s business and recent news articles.
• Fully understand the job description and highlight areas you are not clear with. These often make good questions at the end of an interview and show you are keen to fully understand the role.
• Try to research the people conducting the Interview. With the many social networking internet sites available such as LinkedIn and Facebook you can often get extra insight in to the key decision makers.
• Appearance is key and first impressions really do matter. Look the part. Business-like suit, clean and ironed shirt or blouse. Clean shoes, closed toe and heel. Hair neat and tidy. Keep jewellery to a minimum. Ensure good personal hygiene including fresh breath and clean nails.
• Be aware of your own body language. This is essentially everything you say without opening your mouth. Your behaviour from the moment you walk through the door will be monitored by the interviewers.
• Regular eye contact is important particularly when answering a question.
• Always accept a drink if offered. You will be thirsty after extended periods of talking and it often gives you the opportunity to think what you are going to say whilst taking a drink.
• Listen carefully - if you don’t understand a question, ask for it to be repeated.
• Be honest.
• Never criticise your current or previous employer.
• Show your enthusiasm.

You will be inevitably asked if you have any further questions at the end of the interview:

• Make sure all questions are relevant.
• Ask about training and team development.
• Ask about the short and longer term team objectives.
• Determine future plans for career progression?

If you are not confident on what structure an interview would typically follow, have a look at the advice given to our Clients in the ‘Interviewer Checklist’ Section.