A job interview – how hard can it be?

The answer to this is a lot harder than you think. Gone are the days where there were jobs for all and you simply needed to show up to secure a new position. Employers can receive over 50 applications for just one vacancy and, with the luxury of so many potential employees to choose from, companies are having to adopt a more structured interview process to ensure that they get the right person.

There is no set interview procedure applicable to all companies and what you have to go through depends on each individual employer. We have provided an overview of the main interview types that you may encounter and some all-important dos and don'ts.

Telephone Interview

This is becoming more and more popular as companies call the candidates who look good on paper, ask them a few questions and invite to interview only those that they feel will fit into their team. In most instances the interview will be pre-arranged but on occasions they may simply call out of the blue for a quick chat.

Interview Dos and Don't's

• DO make sure that the telephone number you provide on your CV is the right one – a telephone
interview will be particularly difficult with no telephone number!

• DO make sure that your voicemail is professional – this doesn't have to be over-the-top but you
don't want a potential employer to hear a message that you recorded last night down the pub after
one too many!

• DO keep a list of the jobs you've applied for. It doesn't look good if the employers introduce
themselves and you've no idea who they are!

• DON'T be fooled into thinking this is just an informal chat – they are assessing your answers and
general attitude so be professional and polite at all times.

• DON'T try and take the call if you're somewhere noisy and it's difficult to hear them. Explain this
and arrange a time for them to call back when you're somewhere quiet and have access to a pen and
paper to take notes.

• DON'T babble. If you give an answer and then there's silence on the other end, don't try to fill the
silence with complete gibberish. They're probably making notes and finding the next question to ask
you, so just wait!

• DON'T sniff, cough or sneeze down the phone. If you can't help it, always apologise.

• DON'T eat, drink or chew gum during the telephone call.

Face-to-face interviews

The face-to-face interview can take the form of either a traditional question and answer session or a more modern skills-based interview.We have provided some example questions within this guide for both interview types but in terms of dos and don'ts the rules are exactly the same.

FAQs...

The job hunting and interview process can often be a stressful experience! We've included just a few commonly asked questions which we hope will help you navigate your way through the minefield to find that perfect job.

Q. If the advert asks for a written application, do I have to hand-write it?
SPARKS: It's been a good few years since we've come across an advert which asks for hand-written applications. A written application just means that they would prefer a CV and cover letter rather than you popping in to see them.

Q. I applied for a job 2 weeks ago and haven't heard anything – is it OK to call them?
SPARKS: Absolutely. Give them a quick call just to ask when you're likely to hear anything. It will actually go in your favour as it shows how keen you are to work for them.

Q. What do employers really want?
SPARKS: This question is actually a lot easier to answer than you would think. Regardless of the job you're applying for, the employer will always ask themselves the same questions:

• Does this person have all the skills I'm looking for?
• Are they enthusiastic about working here?
• Are they professional and honest?
• Will they fit into my team?

Q. Do I need to tell my referees in advance?
SPARKS: Always ask permission from a referee before using their name and when the company ask for these details make sure you then let that individual know so they should expect a call.

Interview dos & don'ts

• DO research the company and make sure that they are aware of this at the interview (extra brownie
points are always good!)

• DO dress appropriately. When you receive the offer of an interview ask them what the dress code is.

• DO bring a copy of your CV. They will be asking you questions on it so it's handy to have it in front
of you.

• DO ensure that you come across as confident and are enthusiastic about their company and the job.

• DO have a few intelligent questions to ask them at the end of the interview (e.g. if I get the job when
would you like me to start?)

• DON'T arrive late.

• DON'T make negative comments about previous employers or colleagues (you need to come across
as a real team player)

• DON'T just give Yes / No answers.

• DON'T EVER LIE! – YOU WILL BE FOUND OUT.

Common Interview questions

There are 3 key words to remember when it comes to any interview...

PREPARATION......PREPARATION......PREPARATION

Almost without exception the individual that gets the job is the one who's done the best preparation.

Of course, you can never tell what questions will come up during the interview but there are many examples that crop up time and time again and if you enter the room with a handful of carefully prepared answers, the chances are you'll be able to adapt these to suit most questions.

The thing to remember when answering any question is what does the employer want to hear? For example, if you were asked to explain a time that you had an idea but it didn't work, what the employer wants to see is that you accepted this, learnt from it and made sure that the same mistake never happened again. It's not about coming across as perfect, just willing to learn and grow.

We have provided you with a list of the most common questions encountered within both traditional and skills-based interviews. We could have also provided sample answers to these questions, but these really need to come from you... sorry!

Traditional interview questions

This is the easier and more common of the two interview methods and involves a simple question and answer session, where the interviewer will ask you about yourself, your goals and your understanding of their company. Although it's advisable to prepare for this, the questions are easier to answer as you simply need to tell the truth.

Skills-based interview questions

The skills-based interview is more of a test of your capabilities. The employer wants to see proof of when you have demonstrated the skills they're looking for and will ask you to provide these examples, which can be drawn from school, college, work or your personal life.

Did you know the key to knowing what questions will be asked is to do your homework and really understand what skills the employer is looking for.

Examples of the more common skills looked for are:

• Communication skills
• Independent working
• Team work
• Listening skills
• Organisation
• Ability to read technical drawings
• Safety awareness

Example Questions

1. How do you describe yourself?
2. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 / 10 years?
3. What goals do you have in life outside of work?
4. Why have you chosen to become an electrician?
5. Do you prefer to work alone or in a team?
6. What is more important to you; the job or the money you get paid for doing it?
7. How would a good friend describe you?
8. What are your strengths / weaknesses?
9. Why should I hire you?
10. What do you know about our business?
11. What do you know about our competitors?
12. What is your greatest achievement?
13. Do you plan to do any further study?
14. How do you cope with pressure?
15. Describe a time when you were faced with a stressful situation.
16. Can you give an example of when you worked well as part of a team to solve a problem?
17. Tell me about a time when you had to go beyond what was expected of you in order to get a
    job done.
18. Tell me about a time when you had too many things to do and had to prioritise.
19. Describe a difficult decision you had to make.
20. Can you give an example of when you tried something but it failed?
21. Tell me about a time when you've had to deal with someone who was particularly angry or upset.
22. Describe a time when you were asked to do something on site which you were unfamiliar with.

Did you know...

If faced with these questions there is a simple method of answering which is referred to as the STAR technique.

S = Situation Tell the interviewer where you were at the time e.g. college, home

T = Task What was the specific situation you found yourself in?

A = Action How did you resolve or address the problem?

R = Result What was the end result?

It's all over

Although the natural reaction is to bolt for the door, make sure you thank the interviewer for his time and say that you look forward to hearing from them. Politeness never hurt anyone!

You now have all the tools you need to breeze through that interview....
Good Luck!

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