DPSS - DPSS Recruitment :: Interview Tips

Interview Tips

We all know the things you should not do in order to make a good impression at interview – not wear jeans, turn up late or forget to turn your mobile off but do we always do the things that matter when sitting opposite an interviewer for the first time, perhaps for a role that we are really enthusiastic about?

It’s not just about you

If you are interviewing for a senior role, the hiring manager will want to see that you have certain characteristics that will enable you to be successful. It’s not just about you – you may be very personable, very driven, a great negotiator. But how have you managed relationships in the past? Can you motivate people, help them to perform better? Do people react to you in a positive way even if they disagree with a particular idea? Can you install trust in a new team? Think about examples of any team coaching or mentoring that you have done. If you haven’t directly managed people in the past, have you helped a peer with a project and not just for the glory?

Be Concise

Yes, you may well have bundles of experience, worked in many and various different industries but can you answer the question? If nerves are getting to you, slow down, think about your answer. Give a true account of what you really think, not ten different ideas so at least one will be what you think the interviewer might like to hear. If you ramble, you may believe the interviewer is interested in what you have to say, chances are he or she is letting you hang yourself and you will be marked down as someone who can’t get to the point. If you have been asked to prepare a presentation, don’t write up fifteen slides when five will do and if you have been told to keep your presentation to ten minutes make sure you do just that. Yes of course you’ll have to practise with a stop watch but better that then missing out half the content and being cut short mid flow..

Do you really want this job?

Really, is this the job for you? It is? Then make sure you are well prepared, take some time to look at the website, utilize networking sites like LinkedIn, find out about your interviewer if you can, maybe there’s some common ground, something to discuss at the meeting. Do you know what’s going on at this company, its culture, vision? How will you know you’ll be a good fit otherwise? Remember that the interviewer is well aware they have limited time to get to know you and your capabilities, its hard for them too, they need to make the right decision. Show some enthusiasm. You may have a very polished style and think you have answered the questions well but have you established that you find the opportunity of great interest, that it excites you? Send a short email following the meeting, thanking the interviewer and again reiterating your interest. Call your recruitment consultant straight after the interview. They can’t ask for feedback until they have spoken to you.

I or We?

There’s a balance here between giving the impression that you alone have worked on each and every project or that you have never made a decision and have relied on other people to take the lead. When you are asked about real examples of your work and projects to date be sure to be genuine about the part you played. If you led the project then say so but do give examples of where you worked as a team or delegated to others. Don’t give the impression that you don’t trust the people around you.

Can you give me an example?

Many interviews will be competency based, common competencies being relationship building, decision making, problem solving and communication. The questions are designed to gage how well you compare against each competency. They are not asking for theory but real situations - such as tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult stakeholder. Prior to the interview think about examples you could use to demonstrate how you build relationships, how you have shown leadership, how you have been innovative, how you have used your influencing skills to change someone’s behaviour. What about when things have not gone to plan, how did you resolve a complex issue?

Give yourself the best chance to secure that great job, be prepared, take a copy of your CV with you, show interest in both the role and the organisation, answer the questions using real examples and situations and don’t forget to turn your mobile off...

if you require more information please email info@dpss.co.uk