Availrecruits

The interview process varies for every job. After the initial application process, some employers choose to screen candidates further by inviting them to take a test, have a chat on the phone or even prepare a case study before coming in to have a face-to-face interview.

All of these steps are equally important in impressing prospective employers and landing your dream job.

If you’ve been invited to interview it means you’ve passed the first test – your application must have made a good impression. Now you need to plan for the interview to make sure you’re successful at this stage.

Remember:No matter how it turns out, don’t look back on the interview wishing you had been more prepared.
Getting started

Here’s some information that may help you successfully overcome the hurdles of attending an interview. Some things you may find obvious, but these are often the things we forget.

Knowing what you need to prepare can be difficult. To put your mind at rest, try to write a checklist of things to consider. For example:

Research the company
Look up your role
Find the address
Think of some potential questions your interviewer may ask
Prepare some potential questions you could ask at the end of the interview

Before the interview

Preparation for an interview is an absolutely key process and will often be the difference between your success and failure. Good preparation not only gives you an insight into the organisation, it can also give you some all important confidence. And, let’s face it, no-one likes surprises.

So, what specific preparation should you carry out?
Company research:

Interviewers will expect you to have a good grasp of what their organisation does, who their customers are, how big it is, how it’s divided up and who its main competitors are. With these facts under your belt, you’ll be able to hold a meaningful conversation about the company and put any details you’ve learned ahead of the interview into context.

Showing you’ve done some independent research on the company also shows that you really want the role.
Role research:

You need to make sure you understand the job description fully and know how it fits into the overall structure of the company. If you have any queries about it then try to raise them before the interview or be prepared to bring them up as you go along.

Ask yourself what the key skills for the job are and think of examples which enable you to demonstrate those skills.
Interview research:

Make sure you find out what format the interview will take. Often they can be combinations of standard interviews and role-specific tests (such as role plays or psychometric questionnaires).

You should also find out who your interviewer(s) will be and their roles within the organisation. You can look these up on the company website, or try finding them on LinkedIn.

The fewer surprises on the day, the better.
Personality points:

You can’t predict every question that you’ll encounter, so approach the interview with a list of important points about yourself that you want the interviewer to know.

For example, if you apply for a job as a Sales Representative, you might want to list the products you’ve sold before, types of customers (by industry, age, etc.), languages spoken, personal experience in that industry and related knowledge – perhaps from your studies.

Each question you address will be an opportunity to provide some of this information to the interviewer.
The day before the interview

Get everything ready for the interview, so that the following day you can just grab your things and go. This includes what you’ll be wearing, your CV, and a map of the location.

If you’re not sure how to get there, try and make the journey the day before (if possible). Being late because you got lost doesn’t send out a great first impression. Also, it won’t help your stress levels.

Always remember to take important information with you. Taking a pack containing your CV, cover letter, examples of your work and any certificates of merit or qualification levels is well worth it.

Even if some of these things are not needed during your interview, you’ll not only be prepared – you’ll look prepared too. Also, they are a great point of reference when demonstrating a point (or if you get stuck).
On the day of the interview

Take special care to dress appropriately – most of the time smart business dress will be appropriate. On some rare occasions, smart casual may be appropriate but ensure you err on the more formal side.

Finally, always make sure you’re punctual – try to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time. If you’re going to be late for any reason then make sure you inform the interviewer as early as possible.

Once you’re fully prepared for the interview, it’s time to start thinking about the interview itself.

Why work with us

The choices you make throughout your career have a direct impact on your earnings, so you need to make sure you are getting the best advice available. Our consultants have an unrivalled insight into the market, and have helped hundreds of candidates further their careers. Whether you are pro-actively seeking a new role or just want to know what’s happening in the market, our consultants are always on hand to guide and advise you.
Integrity

We won’t waste your time with unsuitable roles
We will provide feedback, as quickly as possible
We will be up front about who the client is and what the role involves.

Expertise

Highly trained, specialist consultants
In depth understanding of client and candidate requirements
Well honed judgement

Advice

Honest, constructive feedback
Developing a successful job seeking strategy
Long term advice on career path and aspirations

Support

Full briefing on client and role
Help with interview preparation
Resignation advice

Contractor services

Strong back-office support in role
Regular, efficient payment
Consultants always available for any queries

Accepting a role

Negotiation of your package
Compliance processing
Relocation and moving advice

Although we are happy to suggest a range of recruitment solutions based upon our experience and expertise in the market place, we do recognise that we live in an ever changing world, so your ideal recruitment solutions may not be a standard, ‘out of the box’ service.

At Availrecruits we are committed to offering bespoke staffing solutions which add real value to your business and supply chain, saving you time and money and helping to improve your processes in doing so. Our aim is to become the outsourced extension of your HR team and form a partnership with you. This is why we recommend that you get in touch to discuss any current or potential needs in detail with any of our dedicated Availrecruits consultants who can then propose our suggested recruitment solutions and work with you to achieve these.

Interview tips

You’d be amazed how many people still don’t make the most of their limited time in front of a future employer. You’ve got one chance to sell yourself – here’s how to clinch the deal.

1. Make sure you know your own CV inside out, and have a copy with you to refer to. Understand the job description and concentrate on the areas of your CV that present your relevant key strengths.

2. Do your research – on the company, the business area you are hoping to work in and the systems they are likely to use. Preparation is essential; it helps you to be confident going into the interview and often throws up questions you want to put to your interviewer.

3. Be prepared to talk through information that is not on your CV. You might be asked to go into detail about certain projects and your responsibilities.

4. When talking about specific projects, demonstrate that you have an understanding of the lifecycle of the project and how it fits into the overall strategy of the department/business.

5. Hi-light any experience you’ve had in problem solving; what issues did you come across and how did you overcome them.

6. Brush up on any technical skills where required, and be prepared for a technical test if the role requires one.

7. Sounds obvious, but make sure you dress the part. Corporate environments demand smart business dress without exception; first impressions really count.

8. Maintain good eye contact and posture, try to eliminate any nervousness. Avoid stress in the run up to the interview by ensuring you are well prepared and can get there with plenty of time to spare.

9. Another obvious one ensures your mobile phone is switched off. Your future employer needs to know you are completely focused on the role.

10. Have some questions in mind to ask the interviewer, some may be answered during the course of the interview but many won’t. Questions show that you are keen to find out as much as possible and that you are serious about the role.

Jobseekers
Please speak with your local consultant if you have any of the following enquiries. Find the contact details for your local branch here.

· If you are looking for work and wish to email us your CV
· If you are enquiring regarding an existing job application
· If you are an Availrecruits associate and have a query regarding payroll, tax or national insurance
· If you have registered for work or found work through Availrecruits and have a problem

Employers
Please speak with your local consultant if you have any of the following enquiries. Find the contact details for your local branch here.

· If you would like to recruit staff and wish to register a vacancy

· If you would like more information regarding any of our recruitment services

· If you are an Availrecruits client and have an invoicing query

· If you have used Availrecruits to recruit staff and have a problem

Useful links
British Chambers of Commerce
www.britishchambers.org.uk/

Citizens Advice Bureau
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Department for Work and Pensions
www.dwp.gov.uk/

Directgov
www.direct.gov.uk/

Recruitment and Employment Confederation
www.rec.uk.com/

Confederation of British Industry
www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/staticpages.nsf/StaticPages/home.html