Success at interviews
Jobseekers who have been looking for work for a while, but can’t understand why they are failing to get past the interview stage, need to consider what they’re doing that’s stopping them in their tracks.
It is a competitive marketplace, and most employers adhere to strict selection policies based on standard questions and assessing the candidate’s ability to fit into the work environment.
A good candidate should sail through the standard questions and allow their personality and confidence to shine through to make their mark as the person for the job.
A good piece of advice is to spend some time preparing for their interview. The job description and person specification should clearly set out the requirements of the role and build a profile of the successful candidate. Your application should have demonstrated that you meet these requirements, and so you can expect to be questioned on how fully you fit the bill and how closely your experience meets the needs of the role.
Spend some time thinking about the kinds of questions you are likely to be asked, and equip yourself with some real-life examples drawn from your previous work record. You need to demonstrate you can walk your talk.
If there’s specific legislation or guidelines related to your profession, make sure you are abreast of the latest developments and how these relate to your work – you’re sure to be asked the question or, if not, you’re likely to gain additional marks for mentioning this.
Interview questions are usually carefully crafted to get the maximum amount of information from the candidate and sometimes contain a number of elements.
Listen carefully to what you’re being asked, making eye contact to show you are fully engaged. Don’t worry about asking the interviewer to repeat the question. It’s always better to be clear. Give yourself a moment to gather your thoughts, making sure you answer all elements of the question fully.
If you can’t answer a question, don’t lose your cool. It is wholly possible that you won’t be the only candidate in this position and there is always room for some leeway. Ask for clarification if you’re not sure what the question requires from you, or simply answer the parts of the question you’re able to.
If the question clearly relates to something totally outside your realm of experience, just be honest about it. You might also state that the subject matter is something you can quickly learn about – employers are always looking for candidates who are willing to develop.
Finally, candidates who have a blank look on their faces when it’s their turn to ask questions are not likely to succeed. During your preparation time, draft two or three intelligent questions that you can fire at your interviewers, showing your enthusiasm. Emphasise that you’ve thought deeply about the role.