INTERVIEW ADVICE FOR CANDIDATES

Put yourself in the interviewer’s place.
The interviewer wants and needs to find out about you, and will, on occasions when you are referring to ‘we’, ask you to concentrate specifically on your role.  However, constantly referring to yourself in answer to more general questions is not very attractive to a potential employer.
For example a popular question is to ask a candidate “why do you want this position?”
In response, consider the question from the interviewer’s point of view.  Do not simply concentrate on the tangible benefits or how it would suit you at this stage in your career.  Much better to mention how much you enjoy this type of work, or admire the employing organisation.  Don’t overdo it, be genuine and (as always) be prepared to back up your assertions with concrete examples.

Allow the interviewer space to ask questions
Most people become nervous when being interviewed.  If you have a tendency to ‘babble’ in such circumstances, then:
a)  be aware of it
b)  slow your speech down to a normal rate
c)  put in some 1 – 2 second pauses to allow the interviewer space ask questions without interrupting

Answer the Question you were Asked
Few things irritate interviewers more than ‘politicians answers’ – making a point unrelated to the question.
a) Answer the question the interviewer has asked.
b) Answer it reasonably fully, then stop.
c) If necessary check if they would like you to give more information.

Open and Friendly
Candidates who are open and friendly and who help the interviewer to gather the information they need are always considered more favourably than those who are defensive, aggressive, or evasive. Often, the interviewer has not had much interview experience, or time to prepare, or is nervous.  They will really appreciate your co-operation throughout the interview.
Avoid over-embellishing your accomplishments.  If an interwiewer catches you doing this, they will probably discount everything else you say.  If you succeed in successfully overstating your case and misleading the interviewer, you may find yourself failing in a job for which you are under-qualified.  Deceptions often return to haunt us.

Prepare Fully for the Interview
The interviewer will want to establish if you can do the job well.  They will want to establish that you have the necessary specialist knowledge and skills to do the job at basic, fundamental level.  In addition, they will want to establish whether you will be able to do the job well.  Consider the competency requirements for the job (if you’re not sure what they are, the general competencies will help.  Be prepared to give real recent examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies.
Find out about the organisation through a brief web search.  An interviewer will expect any applicant to have relevant understanding of the organisation’s core products, services or processes.  Try to find out what the current key issues are.
Ensure that you know when and where the interview will be held; and how to get there on time to announce your arrival 5 minutes before the interview time.

Practice an interview with a friend and ask them for feedback.
Prime your friend to ask you about your education and career history from leaving school.  Practice until you can describe it in about 10 mins, and ask for feedback on style and content.  Was it logical (easy to follow), clear and open?
Do you appear friendly and engaged?
Recall real recent examples of the competencies required for the job.  Ask your friend to ‘probe’ your answers for details.  Did your examples have real depth?  Could you think of other, better examples to use?

Observe the Courtesies
You may be an outstandingly creative and interesting person.  Allow the interviewer to discover that in your responses during the course of the interview.  Try to dress appropriately for the organisation you wish to join, which generally means:  slightly smarter than the people who are already working there, and usually either business suit or ‘smart casual’.  Don’t allow your clothes to do the talking.  Show your ‘individuality’ through what you say.
Arrive on time.  5 minutes early is good; 45 minutes early is not.  Being late will seriously damage your prospects.
Smile, be friendly and courteous at the interview.  If offered a hot drink, consider whether your hand will shake, rattling the cup on the saucer.  Accepting a glass of water is usually safe.