How to Win at Interviews
At Architectural Select, we know how important it is to be prepared and feel confident for that all important interview. This includes making sure you are in the right place at the right time and know everything you should about the company and its activities. You only have a small amount of time to convince the interviewer that you really are the right person for the role, so to help you
we’ve outlined some essential interview points as well as some major Dos and Don’ts.
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
Research:
Find out as much about the company as possible – its people, its products, services and competitors.
The web is a great way to research such information. Do not just rely on the company’s website but also perform searches on Google to see if there are any interviews, articles or press releases
elsewhere.
Plan your route:
Ensure that you allow enough time so that you can park /walk from the bus stop/ train station to the interview and arrive approximately 10 minutes before your interview time. It’s better to have 10 minutes to have a coffee and arrive at the office early and relaxed that stressing out, arriving just in time.
What to wear:
Think about what you are going to wear before the morning of the interview. Some good basic advice is: business suit in a neutral (preferably dark) colour; business shoes, no excess jewellery or face piercings, natural make up, not too much after shave/ perfume and no novelty socks/ties (as if…..)
Interview Practice:
However experienced you are at interviews – it’s always important to prepare beforehand to give yourself the best opportunity to get the job. More and more these days, employers ask for examples of where you have displayed certain types of behaviour in your current role; for example – good customer service. These types of interviews are known as Competency Based Interviews. Other standard questions will probably be asked – it is a good idea to run through the answers that you will give if asked these questions with a friend or partner.
Questions you might be asked:
Why do you want this job?
What do you know about our Company? (the answer to this should not be – ‘I was hoping you would be able to tell me that today’)
Why are you leaving your current role?
Why did you leave your last position?
Describe your current role.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? (TIP: do not dwell on a weakness too long, try to end the answer on a high. E.g. I would say that sometimes my communication skill could be a slight weakness but I have identified that and am currently working on improving them)
What do you see yourself doing in 2/5 years time?
Describe yourself.
What would your current/previous boss say about you?
What are your salary expectations?
Why should we employ you?
Normally at the end of an interview – the interviewer will give you the opportunity to ask some questions of your own – make sure that you have these questions pre-prepared and written down in a notebook. It’s fine to get the notebook out at that point of the interview to demonstrate that you had prepared some questions.
Questions you might like to ask:
Please describe a typical day
What training is provided?
How could the role develop (if at all)?
Can I see the department that I would be working in?
I saw on your website about the launch of……… can you tell me a little bit more about that?
I saw on your website that your Company is opening up another office in ….. can you tell me a little bit more about that?
What IT systems would I be using?
IMPORTANT – You are selling yourself here.
Ask “Have I convinced you that I have the skills to do the job?”
ON THE DAY
The basics:
Turn up on time.
Look smart and presentable.
Remember your interviewer’s name.
Visit the bathroom beforehand.
Eat a light snack a while before to stop “rumblings”.
Have a fresh breath strip if you are a smoker.
Make an impression:
Smile.
Firm handshake.
Introduce yourself using your full name, not just your first name. This means. I am worth remembering.
Don’t talk too quickly and try to think about what you will say – remember you are selling yourself.
Try to keep eye contact.
Relax and allow your personality to show through – remember the interviewer has chosen to see you because of your experience.
Smile. (yes, we already mentioned that).
DO’S AND DON’TS
Do’s:
Be positive, sit up straight and keep arms unfolded.
Ask if you can take notes.
Make some notes.
Listen and look interested!
Concentrate and make frequent eye contact.
Reply to questions clearly and concisely.
Don’ts:
Be late – arrive 10 minutes early.
Criticise current or previous employers.
Fidget or waffle.
Interrupt the Interviewer – although they may interrupt you.
Be afraid to sell yourself – you want this job!
Get stressed! You have the skills and experience, relax and be yourself.
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