Information Technology Recruitment
INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES
‘Be Prepared’
Interviews are all about preparation. You only have one shot. So doing your homework and making sure that you are fully prepared not only optimises your chances of success but also helps to boost your confidence and steady your nerves.
HOW TO PREPARE
Research the Company & Role
Gather and absorb as much information about your prospective employers as possible (e.g. company size, products, markets, key personnel etc):
- Request a job specification from SLS
- Visit the company’s website
- Request a copy of their annual report
Research the Industry
What are the issues and challenges facing your prospective employers? How is their market sector performing? What does the future hold? Awareness of such issues impresses employers.
- Read recent copies of relevant trade journals
- Visit competitors websites
- Read market reports
Basic Interview Structures
Whilst the structure may vary the vast majority of interviews tend to have the same set areas of content:
- About the company & role
- The interviewer tells you about the company and it’s culture, the nature of the role, the type of person they’re looking for etc.
- About your CV
- The interviewer asks questions based on your CV, which means you can plan and rehearse the key points about your employment history that you wish to communicate (i.e. skills, experience and achievements).
- About You
- The interviewer asks more general and often more searching questions, such as ‘What would you bring to our company?’, ‘Why did you leave your last job?’ and the dreaded but often asked ‘What are your strengths and weaknesses?’.
- Obviously you cannot prepare for every last question BUT you can improve your chances of success greatly by thinking about the most difficult questions you could be asked.
- Any Questions?
- The interviewer asks if you have any questions. Don’t ask about holidays and pay. Do ask about opportunities for progression, the people you’ll be working with and what type of training the company offers.
- Your research should also pay off here. Prepare intelligent questions, for example; How will the company be meeting the challenges facing the industry in the coming years?
Nerves
Nerves are normal. Without them you cannot perform at interview. Remember — you are there because they want to give you the job. Employ basic relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and draw confidence from your preparation.
AT THE INTERVIEW
- Pre-plan your route and arrive ten minutes early
- Dress accordingly — if in doubt dress smartly
- Take two pristine copies of your CV
- Treat everyone from receptionist up as a potential interviewer
- Make and maintain eye contact with your interviewer
- Be prepared to face more than one interviewer
- Match your style and tone to that of the interviewer
- Rest your hands in your lap — this communicates confidence
- Look alert and convey enthusiasm and energy
- Listen carefully to the questions
- Don’t rush your answers. Talk slowly in response — this communicates confidence (and also gives you time to think on your feet)
- Use positive words wherever possible
- Do not breach current employer confidentiality
- Do not criticise your current employer
- Sell yourself — make the preparation pay off and get your key points across
- At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for their time and clearly state that you are interested in the job
- Ask about the next stage of the process and the notification timescale
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
- Call your consultant at SLS to discuss how you felt it went
- Convey any concerns or reservations you may have about the company or the role to us immediately
- Discuss the suitability of sending a follow up email to the interviewer with us