Candidate Interview Preparation

Interview Preparation
Practical Advice to Ensure You Receive an Offer

1. The Essentials
2. Interview Check List

3. Most Popular Interview Questions

4. Telephone Interviews
5. Standard Interview Format
6. Competency Based Interview Questions
7. Role Specific Competencies
8. Answering Difficult Questions

1.

The Essentials

In the current IT market, presentation and preparation are key to giving you the best chance against
the competition at interview stage. However many interviews can be over even before theyve begun
due to a lack of care and attention to basic factors. Consider the following essential rules before you
attend that all-important interview:

Look Sharp
A couple of days before the interview select your outfit. Depending on the industry and position, your
smartest suit is usually the best option. Even if the company operates a casual policy, at this stage it
is important that you are looking your very best. Above all, dress with confidence. If you feel good,
others will respond to you accordingly.

Be on Time
Never arrive late to an interview. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Allow
extra time to arrive early. Nobody ever made a negative impression by arriving early but you may
ruin your chances if you are late.

Do Your Research
Research the company before the interview and learn as much as possible about its services,
products, customers and competition. The company website should be your first port of call. The
more you know about the company and what it represents, the better chance you have of selling
yourself. You also should try to find out about the company's culture to gain an insight into your
potential happiness in the role.

Show Enthusiasm and Energy

Nerves can hinder confidence in an interview environment but body language can speak a thousand
words. A smile, a firm handshake and plenty of eye contact demonstrates confidence. Speak
distinctly in a confident voice, even though you may feel nervous. Always sit up straight, speak
clearly and maintain a positive attitude.

Listen and Answer the Question Asked

One of the most neglected interviewing skills is listening. Make sure you listen to the question asked,
and respond accordingly. When asked what impresses them least in a candidate, the majority of
professional interviewers said it was candidates who answered the question they wanted to answer,
not the question asked.

Be Responsive
Dont give one-word answers, answer in full and be prepared to expand upon what youve said e.g. I
see you studied Computer Science? dont just answer Yes, try something specific such as Yes, I
enjoyed my degree thoroughly, particularly the web development modules, therefore I decided to
specialise in this area once I had graduated.

Ask Questions
Many interviewees don't ask questions and miss the opportunity to find out valuable information. Your
questions indicate your level of interest in the company or role. If you dont have any pertinent
questions for a potential employer, will they believe that you are truly interested in the opportunity
and the organisation?

2.

Interview Check List

Relax this is a checklist to make sure you stay focused before, during and after the interview.
Creating a crib sheet will help you feel more prepared and confident. You shouldn't memorize what's
on the sheet or check it off during the interview. You should use your crib sheet to remind you of key
facts. Here are some suggestions for what you should include on it.
In the Days before the Interview
Draw a line down the centre of a piece of paper. On the left side, make a bulleted list of what
the employer is looking for based on the job specification. On the right hand side, make a
bulleted list of the qualities you possess that fit those requirements.
Research the company, the industry and their competition.
Prepare your 60-second personal statement: Your answer to the, "Tell me about yourself,"
question.
Write down at least five success stories to answer behavioural interview questions ("Tell me
about a time when" or "Give me an example of a time").
List 10 questions to ask the interviewer about the job, the company and the industry.
Get permission from your references to use their names.
Before You Go to the Interview
Take several copies of your CV on quality paper.
Take a copy of your references or formal qualifications.
Take directions to the interview site.
Upon

Arrival
Review your prepared responses to the most commonly asked interview questions.
Go to the restroom and check your appearance one last time.
Announce yourself to the receptionist in a professional manner.
Stand and greet your interviewer with a firm handshake, a smile and eye contact.

During the Interview

Try to focus upon the points you have prepared without sounding rehearsed.
Relax and enjoy the conversation. Learn what you can about the company.
Ask questions and listen; only answer the question asked.
At the conclusion, thank the interviewer and qualify the next steps in the process.
Ask for the interviewer's business card and give them yours (if applicable).

3.

Most Popular Interview Questions

Tell Me About Yourself?

This is the most common first interview question and the quality of response can speak volumes
about a candidates suitability for a role. If you cannot speak confidently about a subject you are an
expert upon (you!) then it will be very difficult to persuade an interviewer that you are skilled within
your chosen field of work. Rehearse a short speech of no more than a couple of minutes at the most.
Focus on your work attributes e.g. Im a people person who thrives in a team environment. If asked
about your personal life, keep your answers relevant e.g. I play a number of team sports which
further demonstrates my competitive nature.
Why Did You Leave (Are You Leaving) Your Job?
The key here is being positive. If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive
context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20
percent reduction in the workforce, which unfortunately included me." If you are employed, dont
dwell on the downside of your current situation; focus on what you want in your next career move:
"After two years, I have made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can
add my experience." Never give a negative answer to this question it may make the interviewer
question your future loyalty.
Why Do You Want to Work Here? (aka What Do You Know About Our Company?)
The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought and are not
sending out resumes just because there is an opening. Researching the company and industry before
your interview will ensure you stand out as an informed and well-prepared applicant. Many
companies will discount any candidate that hasnt taken the time to find out a bit more about the
organisation. The best answers to this question are backed up by facts e.g. I read on your website
that you have recently signed a contract with (partner) and I feel this will offer great scope and the
chance to grow with the company.
What Are Your Strengths?
This is the perfect interview question, as it focuses on the positive and enables you to list the reasons
why your skill set matches the position on offer. Pick two or three key strengths that are pertinent to
the role and highlight how you match the requirements. Prepare specific examples that you can call
upon to supplement your answers.
What Are Your Weaknesses?
This is the most dreaded interview question of all. Handle it by minimizing your weakness and
emphasizing your strengths. Always counteract a negative with a positive and only concentrate on
professional traits: "I am always working on improving my presentation skills. As a member of the PMI
I am often required to give speeches which I find very helpful in refining these skills."
What Are Your Goals? (aka Where Do You See Yourself in X Years Time?)
Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than committing yourself
in the distant future e.g. "My immediate goal is to gain a career in a growth-oriented company. My
long-term goal will depend on how the company expands. I hope to eventually gain a position of
responsibility."
Why Should We Hire You? (aka Why Do You Want This Job?, What Makes You Unique?)
Summarize your experiences: "With five years experience working in the financial services industry
and my proven track record of saving the company money, I could make a big difference in your
company. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."
What Salary Are You Seeking?
It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the market rate in
your area and your bottom line. One possible answer would be: "Given my skills and experience I

feel that XX is in line with the market. In what range do you typically pay someone with my
background?"

4.

Telephone Interviews

Treat a telephone interview seriously, just as you would a face-to-face interview

A telephone interview seems so informal that it can be easy to fall into the trap of assuming that it
will be easier. Do not become complacent. Be sure to research the company, study the job
description, and practice your responses to anticipated questions, just as you would for any other
interview.
Have your CV and cover letter in front of you
Youll almost certainly be asked about some of the information that appears on these documents. You
might also want to have in front of you any supporting materials that relate to information in your CV
and cover letter, like documents youve designed or written or a portfolio of your various projects, or
the written position description from your past positions.
Make a crib sheet
Jot down a few notes about the most critical points you want to make in your interview. Are there
certain skills and experiences you want to emphasise? Do you have certain interests or passions you
want your interviewer(s) to know about and understand? Be sure these pieces of information appear
on your crib sheet. Then touch upon them during the interview, even if your only chance to do so is
at the end of the session when the interviewer asks you if you have any questions or anything to add.
Obtain a high-quality telephone
This isnt the time to use a mobile phone that cuts in and out.
Stand up, or at least sit up straight at a table or desk
Again, theres a psychological frame of mind aspect to consider here. But on a more tangible level,
research has shown that you project yourself better when youre standing up, and you'll feel more
knowledgeable and confident.

5.

Standard Interview Format

Most interviews will typically follow the format below:

(1) Introduction and standard interview questions Following a brief introduction, the
interviewer will most likely ask a series of standard questions that all applicants are asked at
first stage. This may include the important Tell me about yourself and What do you know
about us? questions and others surrounding your current situation, details of your role and
your reasons for leaving.
(2) Specific questioning related to skills and experience You may then be asked specific
competency based questions related to the role requirements. This may include your current
strengths and weaknesses, career aspirations, why they should hire you for the position, and
what you can bring to the table. Be prepared to give specific examples surrounding your
answers.
(3) Information exchange The interviewer may then wish to give you an overview of the role
and where it may fit within the organisation, whereby you may be asked to respond with how
you see yourself fitting into the overall structure. Be sure to listen to the information given and
show genuine interest in all facets of the role.
(4) Q&A You will then most likely be asked if you have any questions make sure you do!

6.

Competency Based Interview Questions

Adaptability

Give an example of an occasion where you feel you went above and beyond in your role?
Describe a time when you altered your work priorities to fit in with another employees needs.
Tell me about a time when you had to change your point of view or your plans to take into
account new information or changing priorities.

Client Focus
Give an example of how you provided a service to a client/stakeholder beyond their
expectations. How did you identify the need? How did you respond?
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a client/stakeholder service issue. How did you
resolve the situation?
Describe a situation in which you acted as an advocate within your organization for your
stakeholders needs, where there was some resistance to overcome.
Communication
Give an example of a difficult or sensitive situation that required extensive communication.
Tell me about a time when you really had to pay attention to what someone else was saying,
actively seeking to understand their message.
Describe a recent situation in which the strength of your communication skills resolved an
issue.
Organizational Awareness
Describe the culture of your organization and give an example of how you work within this
culture to achieve a goal.
Describe the things you consider and the steps you take in assessing the viability of a new
idea or initiative.
Tell me about a time when you used your knowledge of you organisation to achieve a unique
goal.
Problem Solving and Judgment
Tell me about a time when you had to identify the underlying causes to a problem.
Describe a time when you had to analyse a problem and generate a solution.
Tell me about a situation where you had to solve a problem or make a decision that required
careful thought. What did you do?
Results Orientation
Tell me about a time when you set and achieved a specific goal.
Tell me about a time when you improved the way things were typically done in your
organisation.
Describe something you have done to improve your own personal work performance.
Teamwork
Tell me about a time when you worked successfully as a member of a team.
Describe a situation where you were successful in getting people to work together effectively.
Describe a situation in which you were a member (not a leader) of a team, and a conflict arose
within the team. What did you do?

7.

Role Specific Competencies

Developing Others
Tell me about a time when you coached someone to help them improve their skills or job
performance. What did you do?
Describe a time when you provided feedback to someone about his or her performance. How
did you handle the situation?
Give me an example of a time when you recognized that a member of your team had a
performance difficulty/deficiency. What did you do?
Impact and Influence
Describe a recent situation in which you convinced an individual or a group to take on board
your ideas.
Describe a time when you went through a series of steps to influence an individual or a group
on an important issue.
Describe a situation in which you needed to influence different stakeholders with differing
perspectives.
Innovation
Describe something you have done that was new and different for your organization that
improved performance and/or productivity.
Tell me about a time when you identified a new, unusual or different approach for addressing a
problem or task.
Tell me about a recent problem in which previously used solutions wouldn't work. How did you
solve the problem?
Relationship Building
Describe a situation in which you developed an effective win/win relationship with a
stakeholder or client. How did you go about building the relationship?
Tell me about a time when you relied on a contact in your network to help you with a workrelated task or problem.
Give me an example of a time when you deliberately attempted to build rapport with a coworker or customer.
Self-Management
Describe the level of stress in your job and what you do to manage it.
Describe a time when you were in a high-pressure situation. How did you ensure you
performed to the best of your ability?
Describe a time when things didn't turn out as you had planned and you had to analyse the
situation to address the issue. What did you learn?
Strategic Thinking

Describe a challenge or opportunity you identified based on your industry knowledge, and how
you developed a strategy to respond to it.
Describe a time you created a strategy to achieve a longer-term business objective.
Describe a time when you used your business knowledge to understand a specific situation.

8.

Answering Difficult Questions

In an interview situation, many prospective employers will seek to test your ability to think on your
feet and express yourself by throwing one or two harder interview questions into the mix. See below
some examples of this type of questions and how to best tackle them:
What Motivates You?
The worst thing you can say in this situation is salary. The interviewer is looking for an insight into
your aspirations and work ethic. The key to successfully answering this question is to answer with the
interviewers goal in mind. So if they are seeking somebody who can get the job done or a team
player, keep this in mind e.g. I am motivated by completing projects within set time limits, and by
working with like minded people towards a common goal.
How Do You Handle Criticism?
Obviously the key here is show that you can take constructive feedback on board and move forward.
A good answer would be I am happy to take on board constructive criticism and feedback on my
performance; I find it gives me motivation to refine my skills and improve moving forward.
How Do You Cope Under Pressure?
This question will only be asked if it applies to the role in question. Always respond with a positive I
find I work well under pressure as it gives me an impetus to meet deadlines and strive to achieve
targets. Be prepared to give examples of when you have worked in a pressurised environment and
succeeded.
What Do You Dislike About Your Current Role/Employer?
This is a difficult question as it forces you to be negative about your current position. The safest
answer is to say you cannot think of any specifics if the organisation you are currently employed by
is vastly different to your prospective organisation you can highlight the differences e.g. In my
current role I find that by working within a small company I do not get to interact with clients as much
as I would like. I am interested in this position particularly as I will be able to do this within your
organisation.
What Have You Done About Your Job Search So Far?
You want to show the interviewer that you have been proactive in your search and are in demand.
Indicate to them that you have entered the process with other organisations and are interviewing
elsewhere. Do not make it seem like you are on the verge of accepting another role, as this can look
staged and like you are trying to force them into a decision. There is no need to divulge who you
have interviewed with, you can avoid this by stating that the roles werent advertised and you dont
feel it fair to disclose the details. You can however give details of the industries / size of companies
involved to give an overview of the types of organisations you have targeted.
General Rules for Handling Unexpected Questions:
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Stay calm and collected

Pause before you answer if you need more time
Dont argue with the interviewer
Maintain a positive outlook