Co-funded by the European Union This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Project Number: LLP UK-GRUNDTVIG-GMP Module 5 Recovery and Employability Unit 5.1D Preparing for a job interview Unit 5.1D

How to deal with a job interview

Preparing for a job interview  One of the most important secrets for answering any interview question well – including the tough ones – is simply to listen carefully to the interviewer (don’t think ahead to the rest of the interview), and just try your best to make your answer feel real and part of a natural conversation.  To help you feel more confident with your responses, practice ahead of time with friends or family – or even in the mirror or using a recording/video device.  If you listen carefully to the interviewer and stay in the moment (no rushing ahead in your brain to practice the answer), you’ll do fine. Once you get the idea, you can usually use similar techniques on any question they ask.

Job Interview Questions Job interviews remain the top assessment tool recruiters use to screen candidates. How you prepare for an interview will make or break your chances of getting your dream job. BrainDeeds: The Young Professional’s Guide to Succeed in the Work World (

Questions you are likely to be asked  Tell me about yourself?  What are your strengths and weaknesses?  What can you do for us that other candidates can't?  Why do you want to work here?  What do you know about our company?  What do you think the main challenges of the job will be?  What are your goals – where do you see yourself in five years time?  Why did you leave your last job?  What experience have you got from previous jobs?  What makes a good team member / team leader?

Questions you should ask  Can you describe a typical day?  What training do you offer?  Ask about something you read about in your research on the company – such as a new product or service  Who will I be working with?  Who will my manager be?  Where do I fit into the organisational structure?  How much of my time will be spent on this task?  How do you see the role developing?  When will you let me know the outcome of the interview?

Questions you shouldn’t ask  What does your company do?  Are there days I can leave work early?  Do you perform drugs tests?  How long does it take to get promoted?  Do employees get a discount on your products?