In our previous blog post I went through How to Prepare for your job interview. In the second part of our three-part series we’re going to be looking at what you need to do in the actual interview itself. So where to start…

1. First Impressions

Arrive dressed in business attire. Aim for a neat, tidy, clean and uncluttered appearance. Demonstrate your personality and build rapport by being personable and engaging from the beginning. It seems obvious, but you’d be surprised….

2. Answering Questions

Provide direct and succinct answers, using examples wherever possible. If asked a competency based question, answer using SOAR – Situation, Objective, Actions, Results.

3. Asking Questions

Use this as an opportunity to ensure that you have all the information you need but also to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm. (If you don’t ask questions, you run the risk of being perceived as uninterested!)

We advise you to prepare for this question – it is almost always asked during the interview process.

• Why is the job vacant?
• Who would I report to?
• What prospects are there for personal and professional development?
• What attributes would you hope that I bring to the job?
• When can I expect to hear from you?
• What do you like best about working at the company?
• What specific problems are you hoping to solve during the first three/six months?
• What are your goals for the department?
• Ask about next steps/timescales – again this demonstrates your interest.

• Enter the room confidently
• Shake hands firmly – and introduce yourself
• Be polite and friendly – look the interviewer straight in the eye as soon as you enter the room
• Look interested – ask questions as well as answering
• Answer questions as fully as you can – avoid yes and no answers
• Provide examples to prove your achievements
• Tell the truth
• Ask if you don’t understand a question
• Speak clearly
• Sell yourself – get your good points across / be positive
• Give a friendly smile (if in doubt don’t – it is better to look serious than insincere)

Don’t:

• Fidget and slouch in the chair
• Swear (even mildly)
• Criticise former employers
• Interrupt
• Draw attention to your weaknesses
• Go over the top – stay calm and stick to the fact

Post interview, call Panoramic Care and let us know your initial thoughts – enthusiasm can count for a lot, so if you’re keen, letting us know straight away can often make all the difference. We need to provide your detailed feedback in order to give you the best possible chance of progressing to the next stage.

Next week, in the last in our Interview Series where we’ll be delving into what you should be doing for a telephone interview.

Please get in touch if you want to find out more.

You have an interview for your perfect job – Congratulations!

Yet as the big day draws near, you – like the majority of people – turn from a confident professional into a bag of nerves. Will they like me? How many people am I up against? Do I even have the skills to do this job? Stop panicking; the good news is that reaching the interview stage demonstrates they’re already interested in you and your skills. In the meantime, it’s all about preparation to ensure you give an all-star performance and with that in mind, here are our top job interview tips.

1. Research the Company

Before your interview, it is important to familiarise yourself with the company, it will provide you will an understanding of the culture and help you when preparing thoughtful questions for your interviewer.

• Articles/information on the organisation/industry
• Website
• Standards/values of the organisation 
• Competitors
• Look at profiles of the interviewers on LinkedIn
• Market Trends / Regulations
• Annual Reports

2. Prepare for Common Interview Questions

Be prepared to talk through examples of previous experience and acheivements which relate to the position.

Why do you want to work here? 

Refer to the research that you have carried out prior to the interview. The good reputation of the organisation; any other positive elements of working in the organisation; technologies; projects etc.

Why did you leave your last job?

Explain honestly the reasons why you left your last employer. If there is anything positive to say, say it. If you left for health reasons point out that you are now fit and reassure the employer that you can do the duties required, or, if you were dismissed, that you take responsibility for your actions and that you have learned from the experience. Do not talk negatively about your current or previous employers.

Have you worked in this environment before?

Yes – tell them of your experience and the skills you have gained whilst working in this particular environment.

No – Compare examples of previous jobs/work experience which have similarities. Emphasise your interest and enthusiasm to learn.

What did you do in your last job/what were your key achievements?

Describe:

• Skills and duties relevant to the role you’re being interviewed for
• Your responsibilities
• Stakeholders worked with
• Project outcomes

Why should we take you on?

• Describe your skills and experience and how they relate to this job
• Revisit how your skills match the job description or what you’ve learnt whilst in the interview

What are your strengths and weaknesses? 

They should already know your strengths from your application form / CV or they would not be interviewing you, but if they ask about any weaknesses:

• Start by describing parts of your last job that you found testing but explain how you overcame these problems
• Be fairly brief but honest, e.g. “I can sometimes be a little too enthusiastic”. Employers value people who can admit their mistakes rather than blaming their failings on others.

3. Plan your route

Plan your journey (including train times, parking, etc.) Consider a “dummy run” before the day of the interview or check how long the journey will take via other means such as online route planners e.g. Google Maps. Plan an alternative means of getting there and be prepared for the unexpected.

If you have a disability, check there are no obstacles that could cause you problems or delays and contact the company if you require any additional help.

Aim to arrive circa 10 minutes early –

• Make sure you’ve got all relevant paperwork, e.g. CVs, invitation letter
• If you are unavoidably delayed, telephone the office and let us know ASAP – we’ll let the client know

4. Gather the written information you will need at the interview 

• CV, references, certificates, portfolio, etc.
• Re-read the job description to refresh your memory – make sure you haven’t missed something.

Check out the next in our interview series to help you on the day!