10 Hints for Interviews:
- There is no substitute for the three P's... preparation, preparation, preparation! Take a look at the website of the company that is interviewing you. Understand what are the current issues facing the business.
- Examine the job description. Think through how your previous experience matches the job requirements.
- Dress formally. Although the business world tends to be more relaxed in Gibraltar or Spain, you should wear business dress for the interview.
- It is equally as important that you find the right job for you as it is for the recruiter to find the right person. What questions do you need to have answered to help you with your decision?
- You may be faced with a competence-based interview. Think through the most important competencies for the job prior to the interview. You may get asked questions like these:
- Be ready to answer questions on your C.V. Try and keep your answers relatively brief but watch the interviewer's body language. You should be able to tell if they want more information. If in doubt ask!
- Be able to answer these. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What do you consider to be your strengths? What are your weaknesses? (Pick something that could be a strength... "I am sometimes overly detail conscious as I like to get things right")
- Rehearse you answers but not to death. You need to sound competent but not slick or glib.
- Think through the toughest questions you could be asked and be able to answer them positively. If you have been made redundant say so. It happens to everyone.
- Most people don't fail in jobs because they lack ability, it’s because they don't fit the company culture. Very few people will recruit a miserable person. So whilst always being yourself, ensure that you are positive and cheerful!
• Think of a time that you did not complete a project on time. What happened?
• Think of a time when it was important to work as part of a team. What did you do to help the team function?