First Interview

Second Interview

Job Offer

Negotiation

First interviews

Preparation:

·         Begin by congratulating yourself - you’ve already been short-listed.

·         Take a few moments to consider how committed you are, rather than waste time on both sides.

·         Do your homework – who are you meeting? What can you find out about them in advance? Look up the company’s - and their main competitors’ - websites and any other information you can access. Check out trade publications and annual reports to find out as much as you can about them, their sector and the people who will be interviewing you.

·         Know your own strengths - read through the details you have about the position and match your skills to those required. Think about examples you could give that would demonstrate your abilities.

·         Imagine for a moment you’re the interviewer – what questions would you ask a candidate for the position?  How would you answer them? Think through the compelling reasons why they should give you the job.

·         Show your interest – plan what you’d like to ask at the interview about:    

·         The team you’d be working with

·         the company operates

·         The company’s plans in relation to the position

·         Your future opportunities within the company

·         The role or responsibilities

Plan your day:

Confirm where the interview will take place, plan the route and travel arrangements to give yourself plenty of time. Make arrangements for parking if you’re driving. If you’re employed, book annual leave in good time. Make sure you take their contact details with you, spare CVs and a pad and pen.

Dress the part – plan what to wear to make sure you make a good first impression. 

On the day:

·         First impressions last – consider yourself on parade from the front door. Everyone with whom you come into contact will be forming impressions of you and may influence the ultimate decision-maker.

·         Listen – give yourself time to answer any questions put to you and try to imagine you’re talking to a colleague or friend when you answer.

·         If you are being interviewed by more than one person, try to engage everyone present.

·         Be tactful and discreet when answering any questions about current or previous employers or competitors. The interviewers will respect you more for it.

·         Show enthusiasm – ask questions at relevant points.

·         Give examples to illustrate your points whenever possible. You may find that some interviewers will ask you to give specific examples of approaches you have taken to a problem in the past. They don’t want answers to `what would you do if..?' Instead, they want to find out `what you did when..?’. Without breaking any confidences use examples of where you have been faced with similar problems, and be prepared to say what you actually did.

·         Be honest – if you’re asked about your strengths and weaknesses, acknowledge any weaknesses as areas you’re working to improve on.

·         Be clear about the next steps – when the interview is obviously drawing to a close find out when will you hear back, and what the next steps will be. Make sure your interviewers have your contact details.

Final impressions count too - thank everyone personally, including the receptionist. 

Second interviews

Preparation: 

·         As with the first interview, preparation is key - you may be asked to prepare a presentation or work in a project brief.

o    Set aside time away from your current employment to research and prepare.

o    Rehearse and time yourself if you’ve been given a set time to deliver.

o    If you’ve not been given any set work, think about the questions you were asked the first time and plan how you’d cover these areas in more depth if you were asked – and with different examples.

·         Make sure you know who you will be seeing and their position in relation to the role for which you’re being interviewed. Remember to take copies of your CV along again, and the pen and pad.

·         Prepare fresh questions about:

o    Their culture

o    Your learning and development

o    The likely induction process

o    Specific projects that may have been mentioned at the first interview

o    Anything you’re not clear about regarding what’s being offered.

On the day:

·         Be positive and let the real you shine through. This time your interviewers will not just be looking for how well your competencies match the requirements of the role. They will want to see how well you’ll work with other team members, and the personal impact you have on them will be deciding factors.

·         If you’re put on the spot – it’s because your interviewers will be keen to hear your views and ideas this time as they try to understand you better as an individual. You might also be asked if you think you’d like the job. Don’t rush your answer – be honest, and make sure you can justify your view, or be prepared to debate.

Make sure you’re clear on what will happen next – you may be offered the job on the spot, but it is more usual to hear whether or not you’re successful several days later.

Job Offer 

When you’re offered the position:   

·         Make sure you have the offer in writing and are happy with all the terms included before resigning your current position. Remember to honour any notice requirements of your current employer.

·         Respond and accept in writing, covering any notice requirements and proposed start dates.

Stay in touch with your new employer during any notice period – offer to meet the team, attend any social or key business events (with the permission of your current employer). You can also show your enthusiasm by asking for as much information as possible to read in advance so you can get off to a great start.

Negotiating

The right package and terms.

Only you know what feels right, as everyone’s circumstances will be different. There are a number of tips that can help make sure you don’t undersell yourself.

Research the going rate for the position and make adjustments for experience if appropriate. Factual evidence will help you put your case forward.

Use time as a negotiating tactic.

You may not be able to agree on the salary level you feel is appropriate now, but by setting a point in the future for an agreed increase, both sides can achieve an agreeable outcome. Be prepared for performance measures to be set as part of such an agreement.

Just because you’ve been offered the job on the spot doesn’t mean you have to agree there and then. Have the confidence to say you’ll come back to them overnight - or after you’ve had a chance to read through their written offer.

Handling counter-offers from current employers.

It’s a nice position to be in, but what do you do when your current employer offers you more advantageous terms to stay when you resign?

Again, only you can know whether it is right to stay or go – but the following may help:

• Remind yourself why you put yourself forward for the new position.
• Ask yourself why you had to resign before your current employer realised your true worth.
• Have the courage of your own convictions and consider what’s best for your future.

Handle the situation professionally and you’ll stay on good terms with both sides for the future.