Interview Preparation:

Preparing for and attending an interview is widely recognised as one of the most stressful times. 90%
of candidates are successful at interview by considering a few key tips. We have devised a series of
steps that will not only help you prepare for your interview but will also help bring you to your ultimate
goal a job offer! There are two main reasons why candidates are not offered a position after being
selected for an interview.

1. The candidate cannot do the job or someone else can do it better.

2. The candidate perhaps gave the impression that they do not want the job.

There are three main areas of importance to interview preparation.

1. Basic Preparation is vital:

The interviewer has selected you for interview because based on the information in your CV
he/she thinks you can do the job, so its up to you to reaffirm that during the interview. Sell
yourself!

The key is practising role plays aloud! Preparing in your head not sufficient, you need to
practice verbalising your answers so you can hear what you sound like. The more practice
the more comfortable you will be at interview.

Know the date and time of the interview, location of the company, interviewer/s name/s etc
Get a good nights sleep and dress smartly to show respect
Research the companys website & the country if abroad
Ensure you have thoroughly reviewed the job spec and identify how you meet the
requirements
Know your CV elaborate points on every part of the CV
Arrive on time and bring a copy of your CV in case the interviewer needs one.
Your interview starts the minute you enter the car park outside the company
Companies do get the PAs to vet interviewees so be friendly to the receptionist etc.
Smile and be friendly and greet the interviewer with a firm handshake.
Listen to the questions and dont be afraid to ask them to repeat questions
Use good eye contact and body language. Dont fold your arms place them on your lap or
knees.

2. Demonstrate you can do the job:

Instilling confidence in the Interviewer that you are the best person for the job is crucial.
Prepare answers to the following 4 questions as well as additional questions detailed further
on.

Make a list of points you need to convey during the interview which meet the job
requirements.

No body can predict every question asked at interview but by preparing answers detailing
your strengths, achievements, key skills and how you meet the job requirements you can use
this information to answer a lot of questions that will come up. Even if these questions are
not directly asked you will be able to use the prepared answers or part of them to answer
other questions.
 A) Tell me about yourself?
This is a very open ended question so it is important to have prepared the answer! Your
answer should be approximately 3 -5 minutes in length and should cover the following topics.
Firstly tell the interviewer that you will provide an overview of your experience just in case
he/she is looking for a long winded answer but hasnt explained that to you.

Your third level qualifications

Your relevant work experience, strengths and achievements
Be specific in how you meet the job requirements
Reasons you applied for the job and of course your interest in the job

When you finish ask if you have provided enough detail. This question offers you a great
opportunity to convey all you want to about your abilities and suitability for the position.

B) What are your strengths?

Prepare 5 strengths that relate to your profession and 3 personal strengths. Also have
examples of each. Remember your CV got you to the interview but now its up to you to
sell yourself in person!

C) What are your weaknesses?

It goes without saying that you do not bring up weaknesses during an interview. However if
the interviewer asks you your weakness its advisable to have two prepared. Be honest about
your weakness however ensure the weakness is not a skill essential to the job. Demonstrate
that you know its your weakness but that you are taking steps to rectify it and that it doesnt
infringe upon your ability to perform your job.

D) Equivalencies?
Nobody expects you to be perfect and inevitably the interviewer may touch on subjects that
you may not have had an opportunity to learn. In this case remain calm and confident and
offer the interviewer an alternative piece of experience that you feel is relevant or equivalent
to demonstrate that you have the ability and skills set to complete the job.

We have provided lots more example questions further on in this document. Prepare answers for all
of them in order to prepare fully for your interview. Use the internet to search for additional
questions.

3. Enthusiasm:
As well as establishing that you can do the job it is very important to show that you actually want
the job! It is essential that you appear interested and enthusiastic about the company and the
position. By following the basic preparation detailed at the beginning of this document and asking
pertinent questions you will demonstrate your interest in the job. Companies want to hire dynamic,
personable and determined staff. If you can display that you have these traits you will increase your
chances of securing a job offer.

Ask Questions:
Show your interest in the company and the job by asking carefully prepared questions.
Prepare at least 5 questions and write them down. At the end of the interview the
interviewer will invite you to ask questions. Its perfectly acceptable to take out a list of
your prepared questions. This will show the interviewer that you have taken time to prepare
beforehand.
 If Im successful can you tell me what team / projects would I be working on?
If Im successful what will my duties include?
Having visited your companys website I noticed that you do a lot of commercial work. Can
you tell me more about these projects?
Having met me can you tell me if you think I have the skills required to do this job?

Salary Question:
Dont ask questions about salary, holidays, training or benefits. Remember youre still at an
interview. You dont have a job offer yet!
The only time you should discuss salary is when youre offered the job or if the interviewer
brings up the subject.
If you are asked a question what your salary expectation is, its best to avoid giving a figure.
If you do you may either under value yourself or ask for too much and put them off making
you an offer.

Thank the interviewer for meeting you, express your interest in their company and in
particular the job. Tell them you really want the job and are open to negotiation.

If the interviewer pushes you for a figure you can say that with current economic situation
you are unsure. If you are pushed further you might mention your previous salary but
preface it with the fact that you remain open to negotiation.

Sample Questions:
1. Why are you here today?
2. What do you know about our company/position?
3. Can you tell me about yourself?
4. How would you describe yourself?
5. What preparation have you done for this interview?
6. Can you tell me a bit about your work experience / last job?
7. What were your responsibilities?
8. What were the challenges on that project and how did you overcome them?
9. How do you feel about losing your job?
10. Why are you looking for a new job?
11. What is your most significant achievement to date?
12. What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career & how did you handle it?
13. If I was to call your boss now what would he/she say about you?
14. How would your co-workers describe you?
15. If your boss had a criticism about you what would it be?
16. How was your relationship with your last employer?
17. When was your last promotion / career review?
18. What report did your boss give you at your last career review?
19. What is your management style?
 20. What motivates you?
21. What are your strengths and examples of why theyre your strengths?
22. What will these strengths offer our company?
23. What are your weaknesses?
24. How do you cope with pressure / stress? Examples
25. What part of your last job did you enjoy most?
26. What was the least favourite or most difficult part of the job?
27. Can you tell me about a difficult decision you had to make?
28. Tell me about a problem you had to resolve?
29. Why did you move job so often?
30. Do you feel you stayed in your jobs for too long?
31. Looking back over your career what would you change?
32. Why do you want this job?
33. Why should we hire you?
34. What can you offer this company?
35. If we offer you the job what will be your biggest concern?
36. Where do you see your career in five years time?
37. What frustrates you about working with people on a daily basis?
38. What are you hobbies / personal interests outside work?
39. What is your current salary?
40. What is your salary expectation?
41. How soon can you start work?
42. Have you any questions about the job or our company?
43. Why should we offer you the job?
44. What are your expectations of the job?
45. Are you currently attending any other interviews?
46. Do you think you are better than the other people I have interviewed for this position?
47. Technical questions will vary so be prepared.

Summary - Interview Technique tips:

1. You are selling yourself at interview you are the product.
2. Its imperative you can recall information from your CV without looking at it.
3. Prepare well in advance check date, time, location & job spec.
4. Get a good nights sleep before the interview.
5. Dont smoke just before entering the interview.
6. Prepare an extended CV to use in preparation.
7. Research the companys website & country if abroad.
8. Make a list of points you want to convey during the interview such as strengths/achievements.
 9. Analyse the job requirements and demonstrate how your skills match the requirements.
10. Interviewers may not ask the questions you expect so you should be able to express your USPs
even if the interviewer is not proficient in interviewing.
11. Prepare a short summary if asked Tell me about yourself?. Education, experience, strengths
and how you meet the requirements in the job spec and why youre at the interview.
12. Prepare at least eight strengths and examples of why theyre your strengths.
13. Prepare at least ten personal characteristics.
14. Be on time for the interview.
15. The interview starts the minute you enter the building.
16. Turn off your phone.
17. Be polite and friendly to the receptionist and be patient if youre kept waiting.
18. Read the company brochure while you wait.
19. Remember to shake the interviewers hand & smile Its nice to meet you be friendly.
20. Keep eye contact during the interview dont fold your arms.
21. Stay calm and listen to the interviewer. A good interviewer will spend the first few minutes
introducing their company in order to give you time to relax.
22. Listen to each question and dont be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase a
question.
23. Make a list of questions to ask the interviewer once the main interview is finished use this to
demonstrate your interest and abilities.
24. Dont ask any questions about salary, holidays, training or benefits.
25. Only discuss salary if the interviewer brings it up.

At the end of the interview:

Thank the interviewer for taking time to meet you and for the information on the job and
company.
If you feel comfortable you can ask if they feel you have the necessary skills for the role.
You can also ask when they expect to have some feedback for you.
Shake his/her hand and remember to smile.
If you have not heard back from the interviewer within the expected time frame it is advisable
to follow up with a phone call.

We strive to provide the best possible consultancy service and we hope that you find the service to be
positive and beneficial. Remember that we provide the tools so that you can help yourself.