Montez Manpower

Interview Preparation

Preparation

Making a good impression

• First impressions count.
• Dress smartly and professionally
• Avoid ostentation or untidiness
• Avoid heavy aftershave or perfume
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol before the interview

Arriving

Make sure that you know:

• Where the interview is and how to get there. Do a practice run if necessary
• When you have to be there
• How long it will take to get there – allowing for traffic and finding parking
• Who you are going to see and their position within the organization
• Arrive in good time, ideally ten minutes early. Be polite and friendly to everyone you meet.

The Interview

The best applicant does not always get the job. As is often the case it is given to the one who performs the best at interview.
The interviewer is not only assessing whether you can do the job but also ensuring that you will fit into the team. You need to fulfill those expectations. You are expected to 'sell' yourself, build rapport, reveal attitudes and opinions and talk freely. Above all, you must demonstrate the benefit and relevance of your skills to prospective employers.
You will possess a number of areas of expertise pertinent to the job in question. Ensure that you cover them in interview whether you are asked or not.
It's important to develop a rapport with the interviewer. The more the interviewer has in common with you, the more comfortable they will feel with you and the better the interview will go.
Be positive – enthusiasm can sometimes compensate for lack of experience.

Closing the Interview

Your interviewer will usually indicate when you will learn the result. If not, ask what happens next, when the decision is made and when second interviews are to be held. Most firms operate a two-stage selection process. If you are successful you will be short listed for second interview with a view to meeting other managers or colleagues.
Make sure that the interviewer is aware of your interest in the job and your wish to join the team.

Afterwards

• Make notes on the interview. Information on the job, interviewer and department will prove invaluable if you are invited to a second interview.
• Contact your consultant to let them know your thoughts on the interview. You will be kept informed of the next stage or decision dates by the agency.
• Questions you might be asked at interview
• What do you regard as your main achievements?
• If I were to spend a week with you, what would I notice about your approach to work?
• Which parts of your job put you under the most pressure?
• Give me an example of a recent problem where you had to make a difficult decision & how you handled it.
• How would your colleagues describe you?
• What attracted you to applying for this job?
• How would you like to see your career developing over the next five years or so?
• Sum up your strengths and weaknesses.
• What kind of people do you find it most difficult to work with and why?
• What do you know about this organization?
• In what area of your job have you achieved the greatest success? Why do you think this is?
• What motivates you?

Questions to ask at interview

You should welcome the opportunity to ask questions, although, surprisingly, most applicants find this difficult. Remember that most interviewers will judge you as much by the questions you ask as by the answers you give. Avoid asking about pensions or peripherals such as lunch break times, etc. but do ask about the job, size of team, level of team, firm, staff and services to clients. Your questions might include:

• Who would I report to?
• How often is performance reviewed?
• Why is your company so successful?
• What rate of progress should I make in X years?
• What level of responsibility will I be given?