Tackling the Interview

Once you are in the interview room, the interviewer will probably ask you a few warm up questions to give you time to settle into the interview. To help you feel at ease, they might ask 'common-ground' questions about shared interests or colleagues, or your travel to the interview.

A common warm-up question is "Tell me about yourself", this is an opening for you to concisely describe your background, skills and recent career experience. Emphasise this last area; the interviewer wants to know how you present yourself in relation to your career. Your answer should provide them with evidence to your suitability and the areas they may want to expand later on.

After the warm up section, you will then move on to the central part of the interview, where you will be asked the most questions and learn the most about the employer. It is usually possible to anticipate and prepare for many of these questions in advance. Interview questions have common themes, and often include topics such as: self-assessment, work history and experience, ambitions and motivation, the organisation, the job and management style. Questions may include:

• What have your achievements been to date?
• "What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?"
• "What are your long-range career goals?"
• "Why did you decide to seek a position in this company?"
• "What makes you qualified for this position?"
• What is the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you tackle it?

Our Questions section contains additional information and advice on the types of question you may receive, along with some help on deciding which questions to ask the interviewer.

If you are prepared for the interview, you will be able to promote your skills and achievements effectively as you respond to questions. With practise, you will gain confidence and become more polished in your presentation.

Remember that the interviewer cannot read your mind. You are the expert on you; nobody else will be able to demonstrate as effectively that you are the right person for the job.

Interview Tips

• Avoid answering too quickly - think out your replies.
• Keep your replies short and answer the question; keep to the point and do not wander off onto other subjects.
• Don't panic if you don't know the answer to a question - if you don't know, admit it. However, if it's just a question of your mind going blank, take a deep breath and ask for the question to be repeated or clarified.
• Try not to be distracted by interruptions.
• Remember, the interview is a conversation. Keep listening and never interrupt.
• There may be periods of silence. Use them to think and organise your replies.
• Never be negative about a former employer or employee.
• Avoid expressions that devalue what you are saying, such as "it was nothing really" or "anyone could have done it'. Undue modesty will get you nowh...

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