Congratulations! You've got the job interview!

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When you go into an interview arranged by 'Recruiting Now' you can feel confident that you are qualified for the position. We have carefully evaluated your suitability for the role and the company. Now you've got just one chance to make a great first impression. As you prepare and participate in an interview, you must stay focused on the objective: 

 

Getting the job offer:

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Even if you are the perfect person for the position, a poor interview will result in a loss of opportunity. You must do a fantastic job of selling yourself into the role. To assist you, we have prepared this documentation to dramatically increase your chances of career success.

 

Important tips to help you secure your next career:

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• Arrive on time (10 mins early). If you show up just 1 minute late for a job interview, you can kiss that job goodbye. There is no way to recover from showing up late for an interview.

• Look professional. Job interviews are no time for individual self-expression. Consider your clothes, shoes, hair, accessories and personal grooming.

• Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and a friendly smile. Limp, soft handshakes demonstrate a lack of confidence and could eliminate you from a field of less qualified, but more confident candidates.

• Make eye contact. Failing to look people in the eye is interpreted of being dishonest and impling you have little confidence and low self-esteem. Professional confidence is vital.

• Extend common courtesy to everyone. Behave as if everyone is observing you (they really are!) and they will talk about you when you leave. You never know who will say what to whom after you leave.

• Don't be negative. Your positive attitude is all about your own attitude. If you complain endlessly about your previous employers you will only come across as a negative person.

• Find out as much as you can about the company. Research and then some. This demonstrates genuine interest in the company’s products, services, markets and competitors. Interviewers are always impressed by preparation.

• Be Available. You must be completely flexible in accommodating requested interview schedules, otherwise it gives the perception that you are not that enthusiastic. Consider your future. You either want it or you don't.

JOB INTERVIEW ~ CHEAT SHEET - The Key Questions

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In every interview you will be asked: "Do you have any questions?" This is an invitation for you to shine and prove how much you really want the role. Always take a folder and notepad to an interview to write notes and refer to some of these pre-prepared questions (3-5) to ask:

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• What are the day-to-day responsibilities that I'll have in this job?

• Could you explain the company structure to me?

• Will you be expanding, or introducing new services?

• Could you describe to me your typical management style and the type of employee that works well with you?

• What are some of the skills and abilities you see as necessary for someone to succeed in this job?

• What types of people seem to excel here?

• What personality traits do you think are necessary to succeed in this job?

• Will I be working as a part of a team or alone?

• How will my responsibilities and performance be measured? By whom?

• What are your major concerns that need to be immediately addressed in this job?

• What are the areas in the job that you'd like to see improved?

• What is your company's policy on providing training?

• How does the company promote personal and professional growth?

• Are there any weaknesses in the company that you are working to improve?

• What goals or objectives need to be achieved in the next six months?

• What are the company's strengths and weaknesses compared to the competition?

• What software do you use here?

• Is the company quick or slow to embrace new technology?

• Can you give me an idea of the typical workload and extra hours the role demands?

• Where is the person who previously held this job?

• How would you describe the corporate culture here?

• How would you describe the company politics?

• What is the atmosphere of the office?

Typical “Tough Questions”

Before the interview, prepare answers to difficult questions that are almost sure to be asked. You should know what the interviewer is really asking and respond in an honest; sincere and convincing manner. Some typical tough questions are:

 

"Why don't you begin by telling me about yourself?"
This is not an invitation for a long, biographical discourse. It's the interviewer's way of starting the interview. Confine your answer to three or four well-chosen sentences outlining your career highlights. It might be an ideal time to begin the topical interview by asking what will be expected of the person who gets the position.

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"Do you have any questions?"
The temptation here is to ask "me" questions. Don’t. Ask only questions that are job-related by referring to our interview cheat sheet.

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"Why do you want to work for our company?"
This is a wide open question that gives you an opportunity to pay the company a few compliments: perhaps you like what the company does, perhaps you like its location, people, products, etc. Your company research is utilised here.

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"Why are you considering leaving your current position?"
Have a simple answer ready; don’t get into politics or negative situations about your current employer. Whatever has attracted you to this potential new employer must be emphasised at this time. This question also seeks an indication of your commitment to staying with an employer.

 

If your resume shows that you’ve moved around, you can turn a negative into a positive by stating that longevity in a job is one of your goals.

 

Indicate that you are looking for a place to make a real contribution: "If I’ve learned anything during my past employment, it is the importance of finding a long-term, permanent position. I enjoy my work with XYZ Company, but I am interested in this position because it will allow me to make contributions over the long term."

 

Remuneration - Salary Questions
Interviews that revolve heavily around remuneration and salary are not conducive to a positive job interview. Company culture and career progression must be your focus.

 

Salary questions are best answered this way: "Salary is important, but I’m more interested in a company that wants to utilise my skills and that I can really grow with over the long run." If the employer is insistent, be honest and tell them - "My current remuneration package is $_______. Naturally, I would like to see a reasonable increase that reflects my skills and ability to contribute."