interview technique 47
use competency-based interview
how to master
techniques, looking to predict how you’ll
react in a future situation. To give a good
the hot seat
answer you’ll therefore not only need to
say what you did, but, also why, and any
knowledge you gained so the interviewer
can understand your decision-making
A great CV may get you in
process and behaviour.
front of a potential employer,
Keith Potts, CEO of Jobsite.co.uk,
commented: “Our candidates tell us that it’s
but it takes practice and one thing to find a job that matches your
preparation to be able to sell
skills and experience, but quite another to
be able to sell yourself during an interview.
yourself in an interview chair
But interviews needn’t be daunting – all it
takes is preparation.”
Walking into your first interview and facing interactive, video-based website that lets
Like it or not, interviews are a fact of life and
killer questions like, “Tell me a secret you’ve jobseekers practise for job interviews with
unless we get better at them we’ll continue
never told anyone before”, “What does some of the UK’s best-known bosses and
to miss out on great job opportunities.
this role mean to you?”, “Why are you the biggest brands such as Duncan Bannatyne,
best candidate for this opportunity?” or Ruth Badger, Moray Coulter from ITV
Follow these top
“I’ve interviewed 20 people for this job, why Production, and Karen Heather, HR Director
tips to improve your
should I employ you?” is daunting for even at Monsoon, amongst many others.
the most experienced professionals.
interview technique:
“Poor interview DO
Most candidates are able to come up with
some kind of response to these questions,
technique was the
• Ask questions – an interview is a
but forming a well thought out answer single biggest reason for
two-way street
is worth its weight in gold when you are
failure in interviews,
• Sell yourself but make sure you
looking to break into your first career.
while falling victim to
differentiate yourself from other
Recent research from Jobsite.co.uk, one
nerves or being out of
candidates
of the UK’s leading online recruiters, has interview practice was
• Do your homework and be clear
found that poor interview technique was
about why you want the job
the demise of many”
the single biggest reason for failure in
DONnull
interviews (11 per cent), while falling victim
to nerves (11 per cent), or being out of As well as giving candidates a chance to
• Don’t just focus on your successes.
interview practice (nine per cent) was the get a feel for the interview situation and
Show you’ve learnt from previous
demise of many candidates. In fact, one what they can expect, BeMyInterviewer. experiences
in three jobhunters rate knowing what to co.uk can help graduates gain genuine
• Don’t criticise previous employers
say in an interview as one of the major insights from real business leaders into how
during an interview. Interviewers
challenges in getting a new job – that’s 10 they interview and what kind of answers
want loyal employees
per cent of the UK population. they look for.
• Don’t give the answer you think
To help job hunters, Jobsite has recently For instance, given candidates’ limited
the interviewer wants to hear.
launched BeMyInterviewer.co.uk – an work experience, many graduate recruiters Be honest
GradJobs Magazine | Autumn 08
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