Interview Tips

Congratulations! You've been invited for an interview.....

The purpose of the interview is for the interviewer i.e. potential future employer, to see if you match the requirements of the job. These will naturally vary with different jobs but are likely to include:

• Your personal qualities
• How well you express yourself
• Your motivation and enthusiasm

The recruiters will already have an indication of these from your initial application but now the interview will assess you in person. The interview also gives you the chance to meet somebody from the organization and view the environment within which you might work - are they offering what you want?

Interviews are not meant to trick you or make you feel uneasy and there isn't any right or wrong answers to interview questions: how you come across is as important as what you say. Always be yourself - if you have to put on a completely false act to get through the interview, this clearly is not the right job for you.

It is essential to always prepare for the interview:

• Research the employer - normally you can find alot of information using the internet.
• Consider why you are interested in this career path and this employer: enthusiasm is important!
• Re-read your application form and try and anticipate the questions they will ask. Think about any awkward points that might be picked up on, and how you will handle them.
• Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer.
• Plan in advance how you will get to the interview. Allow plenty of time to get to the interview - there might be traffic problems!
• Dress neatly and smartly - be remembered for your professional attitude during the interview and not by what you were wearing!

Listen carefully to what the interviewer tells you about the organization, if they miss out some information that is interesting for you, consider asking some questions yourself:

• What is the size of the organization - how many employees?
• How long has it been in business?
• What are its products and/or services?
• Who are its main competitors?
• Where is the Head Office? Single or multiple locations?
• What is the organizational structure?
• What are its future plans and prospects?
• What is the organizational culture?

Arriving at the Interview Location:

Try to arrive ten minutes early. This doesn't just give you the opportunity to visit the toilet and straighten yourself out - time spent waiting in the reception area can be very useful if there are publications about the employer or their field of work to read.

Be polite to everyone you meet, including receptionists, porters and security staff. Your behavior will be noted as soon as you walk through the door.

Please remember to turn OFF your mobile phone!

First Impressions Count!

• Introduce yourself, shake hands warmly, but wait to be invited to sit down.
• Smile and maintain good eye contact with the interviewer.
• You may be offered tea or coffee. If you want a drink, then fine, but otherwise it is quite OK to refuse politely.
• Try to relax - don't perch on the edge of your chair, but don't slouch either.
• Speak clearly and not too fast. Give yourself a moment to think about your replies. If you are being interviewed by more than one person, reply to the person that has asked you the question but maintain eye contact with everybody.
• Don't fidget and try to avoid meaningless phrases like "you know", "I mean", etc.
• When the interview is concluded, thank the interviewer for his/her time and feel free to ask what the 'next steps' will be.

Typical questions at traditional interviews:

Questions about yourself: your background and your future ambitions:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why did you choose the University of Bucharest/your degree subject?
• How would the experiences you describe be useful in this company?
• What are your main strengths and weaknesses?
• What other jobs/careers are you applying for?
• Where do you see yourself in five years time? Be ambitious but realistic!

Questions about your knowledge of the employer, or career area:

• Why do you want to work for us?
• Why have you chosen to apply for this job?
• Who do you think are, or will be, our main competitors?
• What do you think makes you suitable for this job?
• What do you see as the main threats or opportunities facing the company?
• What image do you have of this company?

Avoid simple "yes" or "no" answers - if you are asked a closed question, open it up, as in the following example:

Interviewer: "So you're studying History at the University of ........?"

Interviewee: "Yes, I've found it a very interesting course because ..."

You may be given an example of a situation that might arise in your work, and asked what you would do about it:

• "How would you deal with a staff member caught stealing a packet of biscuits from the warehouse?"
• "How would you deal with an irate customer?"
• "Your manager goes ill for a week and leaves you in charge. You hear staff complaining about the way he runs things, and how bored they are with their job - what do you do?"

Remember, always be yourself, be polite and communicative. Not every job will appeal to you and you won't be successful after every interview - but remain positive and motivated - you will find the perfect job!