by Carol Crouch of Havering College
What do you generally look for in applicants when they come in for an interview?
- Appropriately dressed
- Not too much make-up
What do you expect applicants to know before the interview?
- Some indication of research on the job and/or employer
What are your main questions to ask in an interview?
- Why have you applied for the post?
- What skills/knowledge can you bring to the post?
- Give an example of something that has gone wrong and how did you put it right?:
- Were there any consequences?
- What did you learn?
- Are you willing to undertake further education/training?
What do you want to gain from a conversation with the candidate?
- A degree of literacy – that the candidate can string a structured sentence together
- A rapport – a feeling that the candidate has a ‘feel’ for the job/firm
What questions would you hope candidates ask you in an interview?
- Hours
- Promotion prospects
- How did you get to where you are today?
- If a replacement – ask about previous incumbent of the post (promotion for example)
- Dress Code
- Lunch arrangements (i.e. flexi-time, lunch vouchers, etc.)
What questions should candidates never ask?
“Have I got the job then…?”
What is the interview dress code?
Appropriate to the post:
- Smart attire for solicitors, for example
- If applying for Media roles/some marketing roles – dress code could be more ‘funky’ to go with the image of the company
- NEVER wear trainers
Can you name something that people should never do in an interview but often do?
- Mobile phone switched on
- Say ‘Yeah’ instead of Yes
Any other interview advice you would like to share?
Remember that an interview works both ways. You get to see the employer and the employer gets to see you. Applicants should not be afraid to ask pertinent questions and, in some cases, withdraw from the process if they find the job is not for them. Better to know at interview than leave shortly after starting a job.
Be honest.
