Career Development - Interview Preparation

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

Preparation is everything. Being prepared will give you the confidence to perform well. Having been ‘head-hunted’ you may not consider yourself to be a ‘job applicant’. Nevertheless you still need to impress the interviewer and you will need to give an accurate and positive account of your capabilities, qualities, and achievements.

1. Research the company/ organisation well in advance

Your interviewer(s) will want to know you will add value to their company/ organisation. You’ll want to demonstrate you have a perceptive, in-depth, and fresh understanding of who they are and where they are going.

In addition to studying its Website (and related sites), use a Search Engine to find out more information on the Internet.

  • Who are its leaders?
  • What are its products / services?
  • Who are its competitors and how does it compare with these?
  • Who are its customers / service users?
  • What are its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats?
  • What do you like about this company/ organisation?

Check out their very latest news, results, and products in the relevant trade press or Google News.

Experience their product(s), culture and approach: if possible visit two or more of their sites / outlets, or try out their product(s) as a consumer. What does this tell you about them and the kind of person they need?

2. Remind yourself of why you are such a strong candidate 

  • Re-read your CV to familiarise yourself again with your key dates, qualifications, roles, responsibilities and achievements.
  • Take with you proof of all qualifications claimed.
  • Think about your best career achievements.

3. Prepare for likely questions

  • Study in detail the Job Description/ Person Specification. Prepare questions on matters you need to know about the job: title; overall purpose; tasks; responsibilities; who you will be accountable to; your subordinates; Key Performance Indicators.
  • Prepare a brief (about 3 minutes) synopsis about yourself and practice it with your partner, friends and your CNA Consultant.
  • Make a list of possible questions you may be asked at interview. What areas are you strongest in? What areas would be a fresh challenge for you?
  • Identify which of your recent/ past achievements, experience, knowledge and/ or personal qualities best answer the potential questions. Practice answering them.
  • Examples of possible questions include:

What would you bring to the role?

What appeals to you most about this job?

Why should we hire you?

What do you know about us?

What are your career goals?

What are your strong points?

What are your weak points?

If we were to offer you this position, would you take it?

What special training/ support would you need?

What did you learn from your last job?

What do you look for when seeking a new job?

What did you do well in previous jobs?

What do you know about us?

What were the major problems in your last job?

When do you feel most under pressure?

How do you relax?

What are you most proud of?

If we were to talk to your boss, what would he/she say about you?

Tell me about yourself.

4. Criteria, Competence or Skills based interviews

Companies use a variety of techniques in interview. One of the most common is the Criteria Based Interview (CBI). The idea behind this is to obtain examples of current and previous experiences to assess skill capability. The thinking is that past performance is the most accurate predictor of future performance. Even if you are not aware you are being assessed with this technique it is worthwhile understanding some of the basics.

  • Before the interview prepare examples of skills you have employed in real life situations.
  • Question identifiers will be along the lines of “Give me an example of an occasion when…?” or “Tell me about a situation where…?
  • Always answer in the first person. The interviewer wants to know what you did, not a team or company.
  • Use the STAR technique to answer.

What was the Situation?

What did you see as the Task? What were the initial Targets?

What Action did you take?

What was the Result?

5. Don’t forget the practicalities

  • Where have you got to travel to? How long will it take, including allowance for possible delays?
  • What should you wear? If in doubt, ask your Consultant for advice.
  • What will you need to take?

6. Basic rules for a successful interview 

  • Ensure you stand out from the other interviewees in a positive and effective manner.
  • Ensure you are invited back for a second interview.
  • Arrive early to be on time.
  • Shake hands firmly, sit up straight, maintain eye contact, and smile when appropriate.
  • Ask your questions, focus on your achievements and show enthusiasm. Expand on your CV, bring extra copies.
  • Don’t talk money.
  • Thank the interviewer(s) afterwards for their time and interest.
  • As soon as possible send a Thank-you email to the interviewer reiterating and reinforcing your interest in the position

7. Make the most of your CNA Executive Search Consultant

  • He/ she will be very familiar with this company/ organisation and will be only too pleased to hear your questions.

Remember, you can never be too prepared!