Job interviews

What Is A Job Interview?

A job interview is a short, formal conversation between an employer and a potential employee. The interview gives both parties the opportunity to consider whether the candidate is suitable for the job.

How To Dress For A Job Interview

Dressing appropriately is very important for candidates at a job interview, because this will help to shape the employer’s first impressions. Unless otherwise specified, you should choose formal attire with sensible, smart shoes.

Women should avoid low cut clothing and short skirts. Although you should cover up body odour, you should avoid overly strong scents.

How To Impress At A Job Interview?

When you are invited for a job interview, you need to make sure that you know how to get to the location. You must arrive on time and unflustered.

Smile and portray confidence when you are talking to the interviewer. Make sure that you listen carefully to them, even when they are not asking questions. Show an interest in the company by asking questions of your own. Be polite and friendly with everyone that you meet in the company, as the interviewers may be taking note.

Research Before An Interview

It is important that you research the job role and the company before the interview. Research will allow you to understand more about the company, so that you will know whether you are the correct fit for the job. Understanding the company ethos will allow you to carefully tailor your answers to match the needs of the business.

What Are Common Interview Questions?

Below are 5 of the most common questions that are asked at job interviews:

• Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
• Tell me about some of your main strengths and weaknesses?
• What would make you a good member of the team?
• Why do you want to work here?
• Is there anything that you would like to ask me?

Does The Interviewee Ask Any Questions?

An interviewer will normally invite questions from the interviewee at the end of the interview process. It is a good idea to have a few questions prepared, so that you can ask something in response to this prompt.

Asking a question shows that you are interested in the job role and the company. Try not to ask a question which has already been answered during the interview or in the original job description. Preparing a few different questions will give you options if your question has already been answered as part of the interview process.

What If There Is More Than One Interviewer?

In some cases, an interview will be conducted by a panel of interviewers, rather than just one person. The interviewers will normally take a few moments to introduce themselves, so that you know who they are and how they fit in to the company. Although it may seem intimidating if there is more than one person, it is actually possible to use multi-panel interviews to your advantage.

If you understand who you are talking to, you can tailor your answers to impress the person who asked the question. Interviewing as a panel means that the company is able to get a balanced view of each applicant. It also means that the final decision is not just based on the opinions of one person.

What Are The Different Types Of Interviews?

The most common types of job interview are; one-to- one interviews, panel interviews, group interviews, telephone interviews, and informal interviews. Telephone interviews are usually used in situations where it would be difficult or unreasonable for the employer to expect a candidate to attend in person.

Group interviews are sometimes used to see how candidates react in high pressure scenarios or when the employer needs to see how candidates interact with each other. Group interviews may also be used to pre-screen applicants before a second round of interviewing. Informal interviews may be carried out over a business lunch, when an employer takes the opportunity to get to know a potential employee.

Interview Advice

The most important pieces of interview advice are to be prepared and to stay calm. Both of these qualities are important in any job, and employers will want to be able to see that their candidates can display these qualities.

Job interviews do not have to be intimidating if you are prepared for what lies ahead. Take the time to understand the job description, the company and the interview process, and you will be more prepared for your next job interview.