Interview Techniques / Coaching

Landing the job of your dreams depends to a large extent on developing interview techniques. This in turn depends on thorough preparation – on making sure the essential building blocks are in place to achieve optimum interview performance. These ‘pre-requisites of success’ are all within your control to varying degrees. Where you’re less confident of being in control of certain aspects of an interview situation – at the interview questions stage, for example – you can still work on ways to maximize your chances of making a good impression. The good news is that interview techniques can be learnt – and HR Source Consulting has the experience and resources to help you achieve this. Here’s an outline of the key elements of an interview and our suggestions as to how you can turn the situation to your advantage… Interview Tips, Preparation and Performance

Stage One: Interview Preparation

Re-read your resume. Prepare questions to ask and to be asked Work out clothes to wear Rehearse interview Anticipate the obvious questions during the interview Work out a strategy for dealing with stress Read vacancy details, employer's literature - what they are and what they want Know where the interview will take place

For several reasons, it’s important that you have a good overview of the company you’re hoping to join. The obvious first port of call is the company website, as Linkedin company profile. Secondly, what role are you interested in to fully understand this. Having this knowledge will demonstrate to your interviewer that you are serious about committing to their company. It will also provide you with the background information that will tell you whether this company is a good match for your future career expectations. It goes without saying that you should know your subject and be able to discuss every aspect of it with total confidence. You should also have a knowledge of general issues and personalities in the sector where you’re hoping to work. Tha aim of all this is to win the respect and confidence of the interviewer as well as building a personal rapport that will persuade them you’re a serious contender for the job. Preparation and Research

1. The Company: Fully research company you are meeting, gather facts, press releases, company history and anything else that you can know learn about them, be informed before you enter - also know the location of the interview:) Stage One: Interview Preparation

The Interviewer Fully research the individual of who you will be meeting? How, simple google his name, try to find him on the company website, try to find out some history about him Stage One: Interview Preparation Linkedin? Use this tool to your advantage (and other tools).

The Role/Job Opportunity Know exactly what role you are interviewing for? Therefore should you be asked re; the role you can answer, do some research again, (for example if a graduate role, she is there are any graduate testimonies for the organisation on the website or web portal). Stage One: Interview Preparation

Stage Two: First Impression Counts

Arrive in good time Make a good entrance Body language - handshake, posture, eye contact Smile Small talk - break the ice, common ground (i.e. have a good weekend, happy new year etc). Stage Two: First Impression Counts

How you look affects your self confidence – and how others react towards you. Nothing less than your entire interview performance could rest upon something that is almost totally within your control. The key to success is ‘dressing to impress’ – making sure you look smart and professional, erring towards the understated instead of being brash and ostentatious. It’s all about fitting in with that company’s culture. The way you dress would differ, for instance, if your interview was with a bank as opposed to a design agency. Trying to be cool, calm and collected is also part of your look – or ‘presence’. In an actual interview, the likelihood is you’ll be feeling nervous. However, as long as it doesn’t overcome you, being slightly nervous is usually seen as a positive sign. Your interviewer will understand, for you, a lot depends on your performance and the outcome of the interview. Your appearance – your ‘presence’

Stage Three: The Interview

Be yourself Be honest Be prepared to talk - but not too much Don't be afraid to ask for clarification Illustrate your answers with examples Be ready to sell yourself Be interesting If a Telephone or Skype interview (all the above) and also ensure you have the following 3: 1) Your CV and job spec to hand 2) The company website/interview profile open 3) Pre-written questions/notepad Stage Three: The Interview

Whether you’re answering or asking questions, the two-way conversation of a job interview serves two distinct, and equally important, purposes. Employers obviously need to ask questions to find out if the candidate they’re interviewing is suitable for the post, and how they compare with other applicants. How you, as a candidate, answer their questions is therefore very important. As a candidate, you’re looking for evidence that the company you’re considering joining can offer you the long-term prospects you need. Handling Interview Questions

Always remember that a job interview is a two-way street. It’s important for a candidate to make sure the company they’re considering joining can offer good career prospects. Make sure, therefore, that you have your questions worked out before the interview. The interviewer will be expecting questions from you – so make sure you make the most of the opportunity! Asking questions of your interviewer After advice and training in interview preparation from HR Source Consulting, you could reasonably expect to answer any question with ease. With confident, factual replies, you’ll give the interviewer the raw material they’re looking for – plus an insight into your personality as a candidate. Answering an interviewer’s questions

Classic Interview Questions

1. Could you tell me something about yourself 2. Why did you leave your previous employer, or why are you leaving your present job? 3. What are your greatest strengths? 4. What are your weaknesses? 5. What can you tell me about our company and/or industry? 6. What do/did you like most and least about your present/most recent job? 7. Aren't you overqualified for this position? 8. What sets you apart from other applicants? 9. Where do you hope to be in three years? 10. Do you have any questions? Can you think of anything else you'd like to add? Classic Interview Questions

Tell us about yourself Why did you choose your degree and what have you gained from it? What has been your most important achievement in life so far? Why? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why have you applied for this job? What do you have to offer us? What are the current issues in this sector of work? What experience do you have of working in a team and what role did you play in that team? Describe a project you have successfully completed. How would your friends describe you? Describe a situation you have found difficult. How did you overcome it? What questions would you like to ask us? Other Questions that can be asked

The Organization Why Is Role Open Work Related Training Based Colleagues Location Prospects / Salary/Reviews General Way of Life at the company Questions You May Wish To Ask

Top 10 Things Not to Say in a Job Interview Things not to Say in an Interview

1. How much does this job pay? 2. My boss was incompetent, a jerk, an idiot, or anything else disparaging. 3. Saying I’ll have your job when asked where you see yourself five years from now 4. I hate my job 5. You look great. 6. I am not aware of any weaknesses when asked to share some shortcomings. 7. Why have earnings slumped at your company during the past two quarters? 8. Can I work from home or how much vacation would I get? 9. You’ll regret it if you don’t hire me, I’m the most qualified. 10. I don’t have any questions for you. Top 10 Things NOT to Say in a Job Interview

To find out how HR Source Consulting can help with your interview preparation and other interviewing issues, contact one of our friendly recruitment consultants today. HR Source Consulting Office 2001, Fortune Executive Tower, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Cluster - T1 P.O. Box , Dubai, UAE T: ; F: E: W:

Thank you.