How to Succeed at Job Interviews
Checklist 033
Introduction
The recruitment or selection interview represents an opportunity to present yourself to a potential
employer as someone who has the skills, experience and knowledge to do the job and make a significant
contribution to the organisation. Many people face interviews with fear, but good interview skills can help
you to make a good impression and secure the job or the promotion you seek. Whatever type of interview
you face, careful preparation is essential and will be a key factor in how you perform on the day and the
impression you create.
Definition
Interviews are formal face to face meetings between existing or potential employers and existing or
potential employees. Some job interviews are conducted by telephone or video conference and it is
becoming more common for employers to carry out telephone interviews to screen candidates before
deciding who to invite to the face-to-face interviews This checklist focuses on selection interviews which
aim to assess (or partly assess) an individual's suitability for a job whether inside or outside their current
organisation.
Action checklist
1. Clarify your objectives
Always decide in advance what you want from the interview. In most cases this will be a job offer but you
may have subsidiary objectives, for example to obtain more information on the job and the organisation, an
opportunity to meet the decision makers and so on. If your objectives are unclear, this will be obvious to
the interviewers. Bear in mind that these people could have a significant role to play in your future.
2. Do your research
Find out as much as you can about the job, the interview, the interviewers and the organisation. This will
involve significant research, especially with regard to the organisation. However, you should be able to find
useful information on the internet. This might include the company's own website, company databases,
business information sites and social media sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter.
The Interview:
Make sure you know:
how to get there, e.g. the address, car parking details, public transport details, etc
who will interview you - once you have this information you will be able to research their background on the
internet
what format the interview will take (group, one to one, tests, presentations).
If, for example, you are asked to take a psychometric test of some type, you may wish to find out what will
be required and consider doing some practice tests. The British Psychological Society (see Additional
Resources below) provides information on this topic.
If, on the other hand, you are required to deliver a brief presentation on a pre-arranged topic, this will
involve additional preparation - researching the topic, deciding what needs to be included, planning and
rehearsing the presentation rehearsing. Read the brief you are given carefully, and be sure to comply with
it, particularly in regard to length and format.
The Job:
A careful review of any documentation you have been sent, such as copies of the job description and the
person specification should help you to establish:
the extent of duties and reporting relationships
the history and background to the appointment
the employer's expectations of the appointee
the conditions of employment and location of work.
This information will help you to think about how your own skills and experience meet the job requirements
and to formulate any questions you wish to raise at the interviews.
The Organisation:
Discover as much as you can about:
history, ownership and products or services
size, structure and location of sites
stability, prosperity and financial strength
reputation, strengths and weaknesses
competitors.
3. Know yourself
You need to make an impression that will bring attention to you as the candidate for the job rather than
just another runner. Review your personal experience, skills, strengths and weaknesses and evaluate how
they match the position you are being interviewed for. Consider how you will convey these messages to the
interviewer. Think of real practical examples from your own experience which will reinforce what you say.
4. Prepare yourself for success
Fear of failure can paralyse interview candidates. Focusing predominantly on your shortcomings and on
potential difficulties will lead to negative feelings which can adversely affect how you present yourself. But
ignoring your own weaknesses can also be detrimental when responding to critical questions. The key is to
focus on your weaknesses as well as your strengths but also on strategies for overcoming the weaknesses.
Careful preparation can help you to think positively and create a good impression. Compare the thoughts:
"I'm just here to make up the numbers." with "I've been chosen from a large number of other candidates". It
is quite possible that the interviewer or interviewers are just as nervous as you are. Think about past
experiences and what has made them successful or otherwise and apply the lessons learned to the
upcoming interview. Take yourself mentally through the possible course of the interview, make extensive
notes and then review them shortly before the interview. Explore techniques to help you relax mentally and
physically and use whichever you find most helpful before the interview begins.
5. Give attention to your appearance and manner
First impressions count and often have a lasting effect. An impression will already have been made before
you open your mouth to respond to any questions, so think how you make your entrance and greet the
interviewers. Be friendly and polite and do your best to appear confident but not over-confident or cocky.
Ensure that your appearance is professional and smart.
appropriate clothes are essential - if in doubt err on the side of smartness
avoid extremes of colour or pattern in clothes - dark or neutral colours are usually appropriate, although this
may depend on the culture of the organisation
finer points including hair, nails and shoes should not be overlooked
avoid too much scent or after-shave
avoid smoking or eating spicy foods directly prior to the interview.
6. Prepare for questioning
Using the research you have gathered (see section 2 above), think about the questions you may be asked,
and prepare appropriate answers. Some very general questions such as "Tell me a bit about yourself." can
be difficult to handle. When responding to such questions, bear in mind that the interviewer is not
interested in your life history as such, but is trying to assess whether you are suitable for the job in question
and whether you are able to communicate clearly and effectively. Your answers should be focused and
include real-world examples. However be careful that they do not sound over rehearsed.
Typical questions may include:
Self-assessment: What can you do for us that someone else can't? Why should we appoint you? What are
your strengths and what limits you? How would you describe your own personality? How do you react to
pressure and deal with deadlines?
Work history and experience: Tell me a little about yourself. Why are you leaving your present position?
What have been your successes? What were your failures?
Organisation: How much do you know about our organisation? How long would it take you to make a
meaningful contribution to our organisation? What would that contribution be? What important trends do
you see in our industry?
Job: Why do you want to work for us? What do you find most attractive about this position? What seems
least attractive to you? What do you look for in a job? How do you see your professional future?
Management style: What is your management style? Are you a good manager and why? What do you think
is the most difficult thing about being a manager? If I spoke to your former boss, what would they say were
your strengths and weaknesses?
General interests and knowledge: What was the last book you read, film you saw, sporting event you
attended? What do you do to relax?
7. At the interview
Before the interview begins, there are certain steps to take which will help you succeed:
arrive at your interview with sufficient time to enable you to relax a little beforehand
when meeting the interviewer(s), smile and use good eye contact
use good body language (sit upright and lean slightly forward) to convey your interest and alertness
avoid nervous mannerisms which will be irritating and distracting, e.g. fidgeting with your hands, repeatedly
crossing and uncrossing your legs etc.
8. Answering questions
Bear in mind that interview questions are designed to find out about you and your suitability for the post.
Listen attentively and answer succinctly. If you do not understand a question, ask for clarification.
keep to the point
structure your answer so that it is logical and easily understood
maintain good, but not excessive, eye contact
speak out with confidence and ensure you can be heard clearly
look prepared and have appropriate information to hand
project interest in the organisation and job, and be interesting in your replies and questions
be honest: be honest about your limitations, and do not exaggerate accomplishments.
Answer the questions in a way which demonstrates your qualities. Use statements which:
are assertive
begin "I am..." Avoid the trap of saying "We…" rather than "I…"
show that you are proud of your achievements.
9. Prepare your own questions
Remember that you are interviewing the employer at the same time as they are interviewing you. The
interview is an opportunity for you to discover if this is a job you would enjoy and/or an organisation at
which you would feel comfortable working.
Again, based on the information you have gathered, prepare some questions of your own in advance,
relating to the job or the organisation. This helps to demonstrate your interest. Your questions should not
relate exclusively to money or conditions of employment.
10. Deal positively with the closing moments of the interview
Last impressions are important. Thank the interviewers for their time, re-affirm your interest in the position
and state that you look forward to hearing from them in the near future.
Managers should avoid:
arriving late
interrupting, arguing, overreacting or getting on their soap box
letting their nervousness spoil the impression they make
being evasive or dishonest
speaking too quickly or giving long, complicated answers
criticising third parties, or former employers
becoming over-familiar with the interviewers.
National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership
This checklist has relevance to the following standard:
Unit AA1: Manage yourself
Additional resources
Books
40 interview icebergs: And how to sail around them, Michael Heath
Birmingham: CGW Publishing, 2012
Job interview success: be your own coach, Jenny Rogers
Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill, Open University Press, 2011
This book is available as an e-book.
Ultimate interview book: make a great impression and get that job, Lynn Williams
London: Kogan Page 2005
Rob Yeungs insider guide to successful interviews, Rob Yeung
Oxford: How to Books, 2002
Tackling interview questions in a week, Mo Shapiro and Alison Straw
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002
Succeeding at interviews in a week, 3rd ed, Alison Straw and Mo Shapiro
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 2002
This is a selection of books available for loan to members in the UK from CMI's library. Go to CMI Library to
place your requests.
Journal Articles
Why should we pick you?, Director April 2010, vol 63 no 8, pp 31-33
How to clear those interview hurdles, Alexander Garrett, Management Today, Jan 2010, pp 58-60
Internet resources
Jobsite www.jobsite.co.uk
The Career Guidance section offers interview tips from industry professionals and gives details of further
resources.
Monster Career Advice career-advice.monster.co.uk
The job interview section offers video advice and a virtual job interview.
The Psychological Testing Centre: www.psychtesting.org.uk
Provided by the British Psychological Society, the website provides advice for those taking tests. Look under
PTC: Guidelines and Information.
Revised September 2013