Interview Preparation

As a Glencourt candidate you will have been shortlisted to our client from the many other candidates we have interviewed due to your experience, abilities and your suitability for the role in question.

1) Practical Preparation

The key to a successful interview is thorough preparation!

Your Glencourt consultant will have provided you with full details of the job role and, when available, given you a copy of the assignment brief. This will outline the purpose of the job and highlight the key skills and personal qualities the client is seeking. If available, you will also be given copies of the relevant corporate literature.

We recommend you undertake further research into the company to help in your assessment of the opportunity and to see how that company meets your own career objectives. You can visit their website, obtain their latest set of accounts from Companies House and review their credit rating. Then physically look at work they have recently undertaken. If you need further information, ask your Glencourt consultant prior to the interview and he/she will endeavour to find the answers.

Your Glencourt consultant will also confirm in writing the following information:

• Date and time of interview and approximately how long it will last
• Company address with a location map and directions of how to get there
• The names and job titles of the people who will be conducting the interview

We recommend you aim to arrive early so as to allow for traffic delays. It will also provide you with the time to assess their premises, to physically relax, and also prepare yourself mentally.

2) "Rehearse" the Interview

Ensure you are aware of every detail of your career to date. Be sure of the facts, memorise employment dates and ensure they are consecutive, or be ready to explain any gaps. Recall your key achievements throughout your career and why you liked and disliked each role you have undertaken. Do not refer to your CV throughout the interview, because the interviewer may draw the conclusion that you have something to hide.

You may find it helpful to compose a short career statement that describes who you are, what you have achieved and what you can offer the employer. This will be invaluable when responding to open-ended questions, especially those inviting you to "describe yourself"

Highlight your unique features, special skills or achievements, training courses and other useful experience - this will distinguish you from other candidates. Be prepared to discuss areas of weakness in case the interviewer asks.

From the information gathered during your research into the company prepare a short list of questions regarding the role, the company and future career prospects.

Study the "Interview Do's and Don't's" section and the list of "Frequently Asked Interview Questions" later in this section and rehearse your replies to those questions. We are sure that you will be able to deliver at least one of your pre-prepared responses.

3) Creating The Right Impression

The client will already have formed a mental picture of you from the details submitted by us. Their expectations of you as a Glencourt candidate are already high, so use this to your advantage and take the opportunity to build upon them.

Research shows that an interviewer often decides within the first few minutes whether the candidate is the right person for the job. The subsequent stages of that interview are then used to verify and reinforce these initial impressions. Factors influencing these initial impressions are appearance, grooming, personality, attitude and initial style of greeting.

We recommend all candidates attend interviews formally dressed. Whilst some companies do have a relaxed dress code, it is always advisable to dress conservatively at this early stage.

Please be aware that your interview starts the moment you enter the building and is not over until you leave. Quite often the interviewer will ask a secretary or receptionist what they thought about you. Therefore, it is important you create and maintain the same positive impression throughout.

Remember - First Impressions count!

4) Control of Information

Remember it is you - and only you - who is in control of the information you present and the way you respond to the interviewer's questions. You can respond in a number of ways and release as much or as little information as you feel appropriate.

Essentially the interviewer will want to cover three basic points. By bearing these in mind you will be able to focus on the main objectives of the interview and control your replies.

• Are you capable of doing the job? - do you have the skills and experience?
• Will you do the job successfully? - are you motivated, hard working and able to handle stress?
• Will you fit in? - do your values and personality suit the culture of the organisation?

5) Closing the Interview

It is important to finish the interview on a positive note. Be alert to signals that the interviewer may be wishing to conclude the discussions. For example they may ask if there is anything further you would like to know. This provides you with the opportunity to pose some of your pre-rehearsed questions that have not already been answered.

Restate briefly why you think you can make an exceptionally strong contribution to the company.

We suggest you not leave without knowing what happens next. Find out when you can expect to know the outcome. Will there be a further interview? If you are definitely interested in the role and believe it matches your requirements, express your enthusiasm and convey confidence in your ability to do the job. Confirm your enthusiasm and state that you would like to proceed to the next stage (if there is one).

At the close, thank the interviewer for their time and leave them with a very positive impression.

20 Interview Do's and Don'ts

DO's

• Do advise Glencourt or the prospective employer if you are unavoidably delayed.

   

• Do attempt to be at least 15 minutes early. This will give you time to acclimatise yourself with the surroundings and become focused.
• Do create a positive impression by a firm handshake, a friendly smile and an enthusiastic approach. Use positive body language to convey this.
• Do make certain you know the name (with the correct pronunciation) of the person you are seeing and greet them accordingly.
• Do look interested and alert, be better at listening than talking!
• Do maintain eye contact at all times.
• Do make sure your good points come across to the interviewer in a factual, logical and sincere manner. Stress your achievements.
• Do follow the interviewer's leads but attempt to get as much information on the post and duties involved in order for you to relate to your appropriate background and accomplishments.
• Do answer truthfully, frankly and keep 'to the point'.
• Do use concrete examples from the past to illustrate how you would tackle tasks in the future. i.e. processes you have developed, savings you have achieved, business you have brought in.
• Do think carefully but as quickly as possible if asked a potentially difficult question. Repeating essential points of the question may help in providing some 'breathing space'.

DON'Ts

• Don't criticise or make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.
• Don't chew gum or be tempted to eat the biscuits if offered with tea or coffee.
• Don't answer questions with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. Keep your explanations succinct and relative to the point in question. The interviewer does not want your version of "War & Peace".
• Don't try to embellish your responsibilities or achievements
• Don't be tempted to over answer a question.
• Don't argue with your interviewer. Respond calmly and tactfully to a deliberately provocative question - this may be a test with how you cope in a stressful situation.
• Don't let your discouragement show if you get the impression the interview is not going well. An employer who is genuinely interested in your abilities may appear to discourage you in order to test your reaction.
• Don't get involved in questions about politics, race or religion. As this is a potential 'minefield' it is best to say no more than is necessary.
• Don't enquire about salary or company benefits at the initial interview. You may be asked what your salary expectations are, indicate your current income but emphasise your interest in the opportunity.

Frequently Asked Interview Questions

We list some of the common questions posed at interviews. Study these carefully and prepare your own responses in advance of your own interview so you can answer them with confidence. Be especially prepared for the supplementary question that asks you to qualify the answer you have just given.

• What do you know about our company?
• Why do you think you might like to work for our company?
• Why did you choose to work in the …….. industry?
• Why should we employ you rather than an alternative candidate?
• Why do you wish to leave your current job?
• What do you think determines a person's progress in a successful company.
• Which jobs have you enjoyed the most? Why?
• Which jobs have you enjoyed the least? Why?
• Describe a difficult situation and how you handled it
• Why did you leave your previous jobs?
• How would you describe yourself?
• Give examples of your major achievements to date.
• Have you experienced failure?
• How do you get the best out of people?
• How would you describe your management style?
• How do you motivate yourself?
• How do you manage your time?
• How do you react to pressure?
• Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team?
• Describe your ideal boss.
• To what sort of people do you most easily relate?
• Have you ever found it difficult working with a specific work colleague?
• Where do you see yourself in five years time?
• What would your current boss say about you?
• What contributions have you made in your previous jobs to justify your salary?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Do you enjoy having to make decisions?
• Are you willing to relocate?
• What level of salary are you expecting?
• Have you discussed this opportunity with your wife/husband/partner? What are his/her views?
• How do you spend your spare time? What are your hobbies?
• What was the last book you read?