The Invicta Staff Agency Guide to a Successful Interview

Congratulations! You have passed the first hurdle and impressed the client with your CV. You have proved that you have all the requirements that the client needs to fill the vacancy.  Now is the next stage and that is the face to face interview where you will have to impress the client with your personality.  You must prepare yourself to be in the interview for about an hour and it is up to you to show the interviewer what you are made of within this time!

Preparation and research before your interview

An employer will measure your suitability for a position by the effort that you have put into preparing for the interview, if you are thoroughly prepared then you will find you are less nervous and therefore a lot more confident

1. Make sure that you know when and where your interview will take place and with who you are meeting, also the position of the interviewer is within the company
2. Plan your journey, and ask for a contact number in case you are held up unexpectedly
3. Find out as much as you can about the company you going to, size, style, views etc, most companies have their own websites and Company Overviews
4. Understand the position you are applying for

Here is a list of helpful tips to consider before your interview

1. Aim to be 15 minutes early, in order to prepare yourself mentally, it is very off putting to the interviewer if you are out of breathe because you have had to run to their offices due to not leaving enough time!!
2. When you introduce yourself, remember to smile and maintain eye contact
3. Be yourself at all times
4. Your body language tells the interviewer how you are feeling, remember to sit up straight in the chair, with your hands clasped and resting on your lap.  Keep both feet on the ground so you don’t end up swinging your leg nervously if you cross your legs.
5. Listen carefully to all questions being asked, if you aren’t sure of a question ask it to be repeated, this saves giving a completely wrong answer and making yourself look foolish
6. Don’t be afraid to point out any weaknesses, this shows you are aware of your qualities, and remember to let the interviewer know all your strong points!
7. Make sure you have some questions for the interviewer, have some questions prepared beforehand. Examples of questions are listed below
8. Never be negative about a past employer, no matter how strongly you feel against them, the interviewer may know them personally
9. Don’t bring money up at your first interview! You don’t want to make the mistake of thinking that you are worth more or less then you really are!

Some questions that may be asked at your interview

1. Tell me about yourself
2. Why are you interested in working for us?
3. What do you know about us?
4. Why do you want to work in this industry?
5. What are you negatives and positives?
6. What has been your biggest achievement so far?
7. Tell me about a situation at work that was hard to deal with and how did you resolve it?
8. Tell me about the last time you had to use your own initiative?
9. What are your goals in life?
10. Do you work better in a team or by yourself?
11. How do you get on with your present colleagues?
12. What is your notice period on your current contract?

Some questions that you may ask at the interview

1. What career progression does this role offer?
2. How is did this vacancy arise?
3. How many people will I be working with?
4. What would be expected of me in the first 6 – 12 months?
5. Does this company offer any training?
6. What are the main company objectives?

When the interview has come to an end, thank the interviewer for their time, and then shake their hand with a smile.