Interview Techniques

The main objective of a job interview is to secure a further interview or be offered a job. It is also your opportunity to learn more about the company and the job.

By this stage SDA will have selected your CV, sent you a job specification to read and acknowledge interest in and finally sent your CV to the employer. Since you have been invited for an interview you can assume that your experience & skills broadly matches their requirements.

The interview gives you the chance to project your personality and convince the interviewer(s) of your suitability for the position.

Ensure you demonstrate three key points: Enthusiasm, Confidence and Genuine Interest.

Make it clear that you really want the job by be being confident in the way that you handle yourself and the answers to their questions. Don't go over the top by being arrogant, just be sure of your abilities and show them that the prosepct of the job really appeals to you.

Preparation

It is essential to prepare for an interview, but don't go over the top.

Study your own CV and prepare answers to the most likely questions.

Make sure that you research the company and the job. The easiest way to research the company is by looking at their website and watching their channels on TV (if appropriate).

Answering and Asking Questions

You must know your CV well, especially if you have paid a professional CV writer to do it for you.

Identify your strengths and weaknesses and be prepared to explain any changes in employment and career.

Think about your achievements and your aims for the future. What would you like to be doing in five years? Try to imagine you are the interviewer. Consider the questions that you would ask to find out more about yourself.

Below are some questions that are likely to be asked:

	Describe your current job and responsibilities.
	How do your skills and experience relate to this job?
	What technologies and projects have you worked on?
	What are your achievements in your current job?
	Why do you want to change jobs?
	Why are you interested in this job?
	Why do you want to work for this company?
	How do you work in a team?
	What are your career objectives over the coming two or three years?
	What are your strengths and weaknesses?
	What do your colleagues / boss think of you?
	What do you do when you aren't working?

Research

Go to the interview knowing about the company. It shows interest and initiative and will enable your questions to the interviewer to be more targeted and relevant. Have a good look at their website and channels on TV (if you can). Remember that asking questions indicates self-confidence and demonstrates your ability to communicate.

Make sure you know what the job entails - take a copy of the job description to the interview.

Appearance

How should I look / what do I wear?
Dress smartly, make it clear that you have made an effort. However, there is no need to go over the top. A suit is rarely appropriate. It will depend very much on the job you are going for and the culture and dress code for that particular company. We can give you guidance on that. Obviously, if you are going for a job as a VT Librarian you will not necessarily need to dress in the same way as an Account Executive who meets clients all the time.
If you are going straight from work and changing is going to be difficult and would arouse suspicion, let us know, and we will alert the interviewers. A general guide might be - dress as if you taking someone you didn't know very well out for dinner and wanted to impress.
Remember, don't stink of smoke and don't wear powerful colognes or perfumes.

Pay attention to detail
Personal grooming is a vital element of your presentation and reinforces a professional attitude. It is worth bearing in mind that half of all interviewers rely heavily on first impressions.

Getting to the Interview
Allow plenty of time to get to the interview and try to be 5-10 minutes early. This will allow you time to collect your thoughts and watch other members of staff which can provide a valuable insight into the day to day running of the company. If the interview is in a place that you are not familiar with ask SDA for directions.

Shake hands firmly and smile
The initial greeting creates a vital impression. Assert yourself in a positive manner without being overbearing.

Wait until you are offered a seat before sitting down.

Sit reasonably still and keep your hands on your lap
You do not want to distract the interviewers' attention from what you are saying so try not to fidget or gesticulate too much.

Maintain eye contact
If there is more than one interviewer look at the one who is talking. This reinforces the impression that you are being open and honest.

Interview

Skills
Identify your achievements and strengths and know how to express them. Focus on the impression that you want to convey. Be prepared to convince the interviewer that you are uniquely qualified to make a contribution, both now and in the future. If the job includes managing other people demonstrate your past experience.

Knowledge
Know why you want the job and why you would be well suited for the position, this will project self-confidence.

Attitude
Be enthusiastic and positive and remain courteous throughout the interview. Don't crack jokes but do be responsive if the interviewer makes a humorous comment.

Composure
Listen carefully to each question being asked. Do not be afraid to sit and think before answering. You are more likely to give a concise and well formed answer if you have given yourself a little time to think about it.

The end of the interview
There is always the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions at the end of the interview. Use this chance to demonstrate that you have done some research on the company, and to clarify any areas of concern that you may have.

Salary and packages are best left for discussion in subsequent interviews. We will have only put your CV forward if we knew that the salary range was going to be within your objectives.

As the interview closes, thank them for their time.

The Follow-up

SDA will get in touch with you as soon as we have heard from the client. We always try to obtain interview feedback which we will pass on to you. Sometimes it takes longer than expected to get decisions from clients so please be patient.