Interview Tips

At Rosebank Shortlist Solutions we like to make you feel as comfortable as we can. We interview in a friendly manner and provide you with the opportunity to give us as much information as possible.

When we refer you on to interviews with employers you may find that they vary enormously. Interviews may be an informal chat or they may be very structured. The style depends largely on the requirements of the job, the nature of the organisation and the personality and experience of the person conducting the interview.

It doesn’t matter how the interview is conducted you can prepare for it!

Remember, when you gain an interview this is your opportunity to sell yourself. You will not get another chance.

Your presentation

How you present yourself is crucial. The way a person is dressed, their hair and cleanliness all can have a powerful impact on the person interviewing you. The interviewer doesn’t have the time to get to know the real you. So don’t let yourself down by dressing poorly, or looking like your going to a nightclub or out hang gliding. Dress in conservative, up-to-date, freshly pressed clothes.

Your preparation

It is essential that you plan carefully for every interview.

• Confirm the time, place, day and date of the interview.
• Plan how you will get there; what time to leave home, where you will park or your public transport route and arrive with time to spare.
• Know as much about the job and the organisation as possible; its products, processes and services. The web is fantastic for this.
• Obtain a copy of the job description, if possible.
• Re-read the advertisement. Think about how you would use your experience and skills in the new job and be prepared to talk about this.
• Make sure you know what you have written in your resume. You may be expected to talk about specific information.
• Prepare some questions to ask during the interview. Some examples:
  
• The reason the position is available
• Business growth plans

Interview Questions

Interviewers often ask you how you have acted in situations in the past. Some examples are:

• Can you give an example of when you have had a problem with another staff member at work?
• Give me an example of when you have had to convince another staff member of a better way to do a task. Were you successful?
• Give an example of when targets were not being met and you had to make changes in order to achieve the targets?

This type of question gives you a chance to discuss a situation or task your familiar with, the action you took and the results you achieved. Have a think about your experience and some situations that you may be able to discuss in an interview. Remember what the situation was, what you did and what you achieved are important.