Handling Interviews

Interviews can be nerve-wracking at times, but if you are well-prepared and confident the process can be much easier.

They can take place in many forms: Face-to-face, Telephone, Video and even Assessment centres. These vary based upon your prospective employer and the kind of role that you apply for; however Face-to-face interviews remain the most common.

The thought of an interview may seem daunting but the more you prepare the better you will feel.

To help you, we have prepared a guide to help you ace your interview!

PREPARE

After all, as the saying goes… ‘When you fail to prepare you prepare to fail’.

Make sure you know who you are meeting, when and where the interview is and how to get there. If you’re registered with us, your Dutton consultant will be able to provide you with all the information you may need, including maps, directions and public transport details.
Ensure you take a spare CV, pen and notepad.
Revise – read up on the company and the industry. The company website, as well as those of its competitors, are a good source of information, as are industry magazines such as Construction News and Nursing times.
Dress smartly and appropriately.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

While you may feel nervous, smile and be polite - first impressions are formed quickly and you want it to be a good one.

Shake hands on arrival, make eye contact and try to address people by their names.
Stay calm, relax and breathe!
Make sure you listen to the question properly, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you are unsure what to say. If it helps, write down some key points while the question is being asked.
Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses, but try not to dwell on any weaknesses as you want to stay positive.

ASK QUESTIONS

Asking questions of the interviewer shows enthusiasm, and the ability to ask informed and relevant questions shows that you have done your research. The sort of questions you could ask include:

Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role?
Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company?
What do you enjoy about your job?

FINALLY...

If the interviewer does not inform you of how the process will continue, don’t be afraid to ask.
Shake hands and thank the interviewer for their time, as well as saying goodbye to each person you talked with.
If you’re registered with us, don’t forget to contact your recruitment consultant to talk through your interview.

SECOND INTERVIEWS

Bear in mind that if you have got this far, you are definitely being considered for the role.

A second stage interview is likely to be conducted by people you will work with directly should you get the job, and maybe more senior members of the company.

It is a good idea to try and find out the format of the interview in advance. If you’re registered with us, your Dutton consultant can get this information for you.

Consequently, the focus of the interview may be slightly different. It may be to assess you more as a person and how you may fit within the team, or it may build on answers that you gave in your previous interview.

Therefore, it is just as important, if not more, to prepare fully for this interview.

TOP TIPS

REMEMBER – Interviews are as much for your benefit as they are the recruiters. It is your time to find out more about the role, what you may be doing and to make sure that it’s something you’re actually interested in.
If you worry you might get too nervous, ask for a glass of water when you arrive. Then, when you are asked a question and would like time to think, you can take a sip. This may equate to a couple of seconds in reality, but gives you more time to process your answer.
Practise! Ask a family member or friend to ask you some common interview questions.

Good luck!

Remember, if you're registered with us your Dutton consultant can give you personalised advice tailored to the role, just get in touch!

If your interview goes well then congratulations - here's our top tips for doing well on your first day!