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SMP Solutions Guide to Winning at Interviews
Are you getting interviews but not getting the job?
Maybe told ‘you did well but came a close second’?
Not had an interview for many years and find the thought terrifying?
Here are some key fundamentals to consider to help you along the way
What is the purpose of an interview?
This is not a trick question but one that many candidates overlook
- It is a 2 way opportunity for the employer to decide if you are right for the job and for you to decide if the job is right for you
- Your opportunity to sell yourself
- Opportunity for the employer to sell themselves to you
This is an important consideration as no point in taking a job that is wrong for you, as you will only be unhappy, unless the money is critical!
How many different types of Interviews are there?
In today’s technological age and with competition for talent being fiercer than ever, employers are becoming increasingly creative to ensure they find the right candidates! The list below will give you a flavour but is not exhaustive:
- Telephone (normally pre- arranged but could be ad hoc, as a result of sending out your CV or from some previous networking)
- Video conferencing (usually to a different part of the world)
- Practical (e.g. have to build or demonstrate something)
- Presentations (usually planned but sometimes on spec as part of the interview to see how you cope under pressure)
- Tests (ability & aptitude)
- Personality profiling
- Group (could be group exercises and role plays or 1 large group to see how people interact)
- Assessment Centres (usually full day events covering a range of activities)
- HR/Screening (often a first stage to eliminate a large percentage of candidates)
- Technical (detailed questioning of a technical nature by line manager)
- Panel (anything from 2 upwards – 17 is the record we know of!)
- 1:1
- Formal (usually HR led and well structured)
- Informal (could be in the pub or ‘trial by sherry’)
- Unstructured (could be fairly random, ‘going with the flow’)
- ‘Stress’ (typically senior posts, as you may have seen in ‘The Apprentice’)
- ‘Hidden’ – the sneakiest of the lot, as you are unlikely to realise!
Employers nowadays often have multiple rounds of interviews to narrow down the candidates, with potential combinations of any from this list, over a period of weeks.
Find out what type of interview you will be having and you can prepare yourself much more effectively
SMP’s Top 10 Tips For Successful Interviews
- 4 P’s – Practice, Plan, Prepare, Punctual – Preparation is key e.g. research on company, culture, job role, your journey, type of interview, what you have to offer, your questions plus practice, practice, practice!
- Belief – you must believe that you have a chance of success
- Positive, polite and enthusiastic – SMILE and show confidence!
- Remember first impressions count - dress for success and aim to quickly build rapport
- Importance of listening, keeping eye contact and positive body language
- 'Aim to intrigue not inform' - don’t waffle and illustrate your points with specific examples, showing competence
- Sell yourself by highlighting achievements and positives – don’t say anything that could be misconstrued or deemed as negative
- Ask relevant questions and show interest
- Expect the unexpected – watch out for the 'wobblers' and stay calm and if in doubt ask for clarification rather than 'winging it'
- Follow up afterwards – send an email to thank the interviewer and express your interest
Copyright SMP Solutions (2007) Career & Personal Development Consultancy
'helping you unlock your potential'
www.smp-solutions.co.uk
