Maximising your chances of success during the interview process

When applying for a new position, you will go through several stages of the interview process. We have put together the following advice to help you maximise your chances of success.

 

Be prepared

One of the most important ways to make the best impression at an interview is to be prepared.

Learn what you can about the company in advance — check their website and search for news articles about them online. Don’t be afraid to request details about the company or the position you are applying for.

Arriving late to an interview or missing it altogether makes a poor impression. So, make sure you have the correct interview time and directions to the location.Also, allow for plenty of time to arrive at the interview ahead of schedule, taking into account parking, etc.

Think about questions you may be asked and questions you should ask in the interview. Think about your strengths and weaknesses and be ready to promote yourself when you’re able. Don’t oversell yourself, though. Just show that you are confident in your own abilities.

It’s an interview, best to dress well in a tidy suit, be fresh and well groomed. First impressions are vital.

Bring a copy of your CV, a pen to fill out forms and, if relevant, samples of your work.

Turn your cell phone off — it is an inappropriate interruption.

 

Phone contact

The last paragraph of every application letter/email header should include contact information should the recruiter need to contact you. List the number(s) at which you can be reached, indicating whether or not it is acceptable to be contacted at your current position.

How does your answering machine/voicemail message sound? Is it appropriate for the position you are applying for? It’s helpful for recruiters that they know they’ve reached the right number. For privacy reasons, many people don’t list their first names, last names, or telephone numbers on their answering machine/voicemail greetings. However, we recommend you include at least one of these in the message.

Once you’ve started applying for positions, it pays to have a mini-log at hand. This should include companies you have applied to along with the titles and positions. This way you sound prepared when you receive a phone call — the interviewer would like to think his/her company is the only one you’ve applied to.

If a recruiter leaves a message, make sure you return their call as soon as possible. As they will have probably called many other candidates, make sure you give them your full name and indicate that you are returning their call regarding the position you applied for.

 

The phone interview

For many recruiters, the phone interview is the next step in the process. During a phone interview, they can check you are as good as you sound on paper, if you are articulate and if you would be a good fit for the position. A phone interview is a way to narrow down the pool to a short list for a more formal face-to-face interview.

When the interviewer calls, they will usually ask if it’s a good time to talk, or if they can arrange a time to call you back. You may want to go straight ahead with the interview.  However, if you are in the middle of something, running out the door, or can’t remember what the job is, it may pay to suggest an alternate time. Express your interest first, though, and be clear about the time you have and suggest an alternative time.

When you are talking, make sure your phone battery is charged. It may also help to have your notes and CV in front of you and a pen to take notes. If it is a conference call with others involved, write down each person’s name/role so that you can refer to it later.

Be clear about whether or not you can hear the interviewer clearly. Don’t say, “Can you speak up”? Instead, say, “I’m having trouble hearing you. Can you hear me clearly?” The latter is less confrontational. 

As with any interview, be prepared to ask questions at the end. You want the recruiter(s) to know you’re interested in the company.

 

Skype or Video Conference Interview

The next interview after the initial phone interview is conducted either face to face or remotely via Skype or Video Conference. We suggest that you use the advice and notes from our face to face interview section for remote interviews.

Face-to-face interviews

Know what you are going to wear ahead of time. Even though many work environments are more casual nowadays, suits and tailored clothes are still the professional standard for job interviews. Here are some tips:

• Ask your recruitment agency about the company’s culture. This will give you an idea of how much individual expression would be acceptable at the interview.
• If you work in a casual environment, but have a job interview during your lunch break or through the day, you’ll want to be discreet. So, keep your jacket and accessories in a bag and wear your suit pants or skirt and your shirt. If your workmates ask, you can say that you have “an appointment” without saying what it’s for.
• International applicants visiting New Zealand and planning job interviews during their visit should bring a suit or business separates. New Zealand’s standards of business dress are similar to European standards.
• One or two good suits will carry you through a full round of interviews. Make sure they are suits for the person you are today and fit your body and personal style — conservative or adventurous, fashionable or classic.
• Wear something you are comfortable in. You can try it out by sitting in different types of chairs, for example. Check for seam rips, runs in stockings and missing buttons. Look great and your confidence will shine through.
• Think about selling your skills, not your wardrobe. And don’t forget to smile — looking like you’re happy to be there is the best accessory of all!

 

Making a good impression

You may have the education, experience and appearance right — and these things are important. However, it takes more to make a good impression.

Remember to thank the person for making time to meet with you and address them by using their name.

Be confident with your speech and make sure you are impeccably groomed — your hair, tie/scarf and other accessories should be a reflection of the high-quality person you are. Your shoes should be polished and look like new, even if they are not. Your socks/stockings should blend with your outfit, not detract from it.

 

Other things to be aware of:

• Watch your language — it’s easy to get lazy with your language. Don’t use sloppy words or make grammatical mistakes. For example, use “yes” rather than “yeah”.
• Never use profanity, even if you feel at ease with the person or group of people you are with — it’s inappropriate, it can make some people uncomfortable and might make you look less intelligent.
• Ask questions and listen to what others have to say. Listening is as important as speaking during communication.
• When in a business setting, watch the giggling. Some people use laughter to fill silent gaps or if they are nervous — it is unprofessional and distracting.
• Do not repeatedly clear your throat as this can be annoying.  If you must, try to swallow instead and you’ll look like you are simply pausing during the conversation.
• Never chew gum — there’s no place for it. Breath mints are a better alternative if you’re worried about your breath.

Although this all may seem like common sense, positive first impressions and the social skills you exhibit are necessary to your daily and long-term success.

 

During the interview

Successful interviewing is essential for you to lock in a job offer. The interview is an opportunity for the company to learn about you and your opportunity to market yourself. These guidelines will help you present yourself well:

• Be courteous to the receptionist — this is the first impression and often comments about your meet and greet with this person will be passed on.
• Greet the person by shaking their hand and thank them for making time to meet with you. Know the interviewer’s name and use it during the interview.
• Be prepared to answer questions about your work experience and CV. Take the time to review some standard interview questions. This may help reduce some of the stress you may experience.
• During the interview try to remain as calm as possible. Ask for clarification if you are not sure about a question and remember it is perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to frame your responses so you can answer the question fully. Try to be enthusiastic and confident.
• Don’t discuss salary or benefits unless the interviewer asks directly. Interviewers may ask what your current salary is, or what your salary range would be. It is helpful to justify your salary requests by noting what you received previously, or what people in similar positions are receiving.
• Don’t criticise your previous or current employer. Keep that information to yourself — this will give a bad impression.
• As the interview comes to a close, one of the final questions you may be asked is “What can I answer for you?” Remember, you aren’t simply trying to get the job — you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether they and the position are right for you. So, be ready to ask some questions of your own.
• At the end of the interview, ask for business cards and keep them in your job search folder at home. Thank them again for taking the time to meet with you and shake their hand. Indicate your interest in the job and invite them to contact you with progress on the role.

 

After the interview

After the interview, write a thank-you note to your main interviewers — especially confident candidates often neglect this. However, it shows you can follow up and are aware of details. The thank-you note is also a good time to state again why you are a good fit with the company and ways they can use your skills.

You will want to know how well you did and to talk over the possibilities. This is the ideal time to talk with your recruiter. It is your opportunity to say what you thought of the company and the role and whether it is something you want to pursue.

It is also important to have your referee information ready after the interview. Your referees are two or more people who provide your professional references. If you are called for a second interview it means a company is seriously considering you, so they will also want to contact your referees. We recommend that you have at least two references in case one is unavailable.

Once your job search concludes with a new position, keep your information folder. You will find that keeping records of potential job contacts and of cover letters and CVs that worked will help you in future job searches. It will also allow you to send your colleagues to an especially helpful recruiting agency, or to an expanding company that wasn’t right for you but may be for them.

 

Questions you may be asked

Work History:

• name of company, position title and description, dates of employment
• what your starting and final levels of remuneration were
• what your responsibilities were
• what major challenges and problems you faced and how you handled them 
• the most and least rewarding aspects of your job
• what your biggest accomplishments and failures were in this position
• why you are leaving.

About you:

• describe a typical work week
• the number of hours you normally work
• how you would describe the pace at which you work
• how you handle stress and pressure
• what motivates you
• what decisions you find most difficult to make
• what your strengths and weaknesses are
• if someone who knows you was asked why you should be hired, what they would say
• how your manager would describe you
• whether you prefer to work independently or as part of a team
• give some examples of your team work
• the type of work environment you prefer
• describe a difficult work situation/project and how you overcame it.

About the new job and company:

• what about the job interests you
• the experience and/or attributes you have that would suit the job
• what you know about the company
• the challenges you are looking for
• how you can contribute to the company
• anything you would like to know about the job and/or company.

About the future:

• the role you would want to be in, in five years’ time
• what your goals are and how do you intend to achieve them
• your salary expectations.

You may also be asked behavioural-based interview questions that are based on the principle that a candidate’s past performance is the best interpreter of future performance. Be prepared for these by taking the time to compile a list of responses to such questions and examples of work and/or team experiences where you have effectively used the skills you have acquired. Also, list your skills, strengths and weaknesses.

 

Questions to ask

As an interview draws to a close, one question you may be asked is, “Do you have any questions?” So, it’s a good idea to have some prepared. For example:

• How would you describe a typical work day/week in this job?
• Is this a new job? If not, what did the previous employee go on to do?
• Who does this job report to? Can I meet him/her if I am offered the job?
• How many people work in the office/company?
• Is there opportunity for growth and advancement?
• What do you like about working here?
• Would you like to see a list of my references?
• If I get the job, how soon would you like me to start?
• When can I expect to hear from you regarding this job?
• Are there any other questions I can answer for you?

 

Questions not to ask

• What does the company do (you should already know this)?
• If I get the job, when can I take a holiday? (Wait until you get the job offer before mentioning a holiday or prior commitments).
• Did I get the job? (Try to be patient — the recruiter/company will let you know).