Interview Techniques

The success of an interview lies in the preparation. It is very important to attend an interview well prepared as you need to make a good impression in the first few minutes of the interview.

Before you attend an interview you should:

* Prepare some answers to the standard interview questions that are often asked.

* Prepare a few questions for the interviewer to show you have done some preparation.

* Do some research into the Company by looking at their website and read any up to date news stories about them.

* Dress appropriately as first impressions are all important.

* Check your journey and how long it will take you.

* Do not arrive late.

During the interview it is important to be polite and interested in the role being offered at all times. Remain calm and always be honest. Make eye contact with the people interviewing you.

Do not answer questions with monosyllabic answers. Try, where possible to quote relevant experience or qualifications in relation to the role

If you are inexperienced and not confident in interviews the 'STAR' technique may help you gather your thoughts and provide more structured and detailed answers.

STAR Interview Technique

Situation – what was the background to the situation, how did it arise, who else was involved?

Task – what was your task in this situation: What was your role in this, what did you need to achieve, what were your goals?

Actions – This is where you tell the interviewer in detail what actions you took in this situation – what did you do? Why did you decide on that course of action? How did you do it?

Results – What was the outcome? How successful was it? What did you learn?

These are the four main areas an interviewer will want you to cover when answering a competency/behavourial based question. The larger part of your answer should be spent describing the Actions part of the reply. This is because this is where you are providing evidence of what you did.