Interview Questions UK

Are you prepared for your next job interview? Do you know the secrets of pulling off a flawless interview and getting the job of your dreams? Use these five easy steps to prepare yourself and leave the best impression possible with the hiring manager.

1.Be Early - The worst thing you can do is show up to an interview late. What does that tell the hiring manager about your commitment level? Why would anyone want to hire a person who doesn’t have the organization skills to show up on time? By showing up early you are demonstrating and showing respect of the company and the hiring manager. You are also giving them the opportunity to take you early, which could give you more face time. Face time is important, the longer you have with the hiring manager the better your chances will be to get the job.

2.Research the Company – Never walk into an interview without knowing anything about the company. Do some research; find out how many facilities they have, who is the CEO, and what recent news has come out about the company. Look at the financials from their website or other investor news. Be prepared to ask some questions about what you have discovered. At the end of every interview that I have conducted, I always ask “Do you have any questions for me?” I am always impressed with people who have done their research and are serious about working for the company.

3.Listen, Don’t Talk – It may seem counter-intuitive, but get the hiring manager to do most of the talking. It is a proven fact, that hiring managers will think the interview go better if they do a lot of talking. So use your research and ask a lot of questions to get the interview talking.

4.Carry Copies of Your Resume – Hiring managers are busy people and many times they do not have a copy of your resume when they enter the room. Even if they do have a copy, a lot of the time, it will be a fax copy from the recruiter. This is the time to hand them your resume on a quality piece of paper. Resume paper is thicker and has a very good feel to it and that is what you want the interviewer to associate with you… a good feel. Later, when the hiring manager is reviewing your resume you will stand a better chance of getting the job or at least the second interview.

5.Follow-Up – After the interview, it is always a good idea to follow-up with the hiring manager is some shape, way, or form. If the interviewer gave you his/her card then make use of it. Call them and ask a few follow-up questions and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. If you didn’t get a card during the interview, then send a polite thank you letter. The goal here is to get the hiring manager to think of you again. And the more he/she thinks of you, in a positive manner, the better your chances are to get the job.

Skill emphasis during the interview is important to show the employer what makes you different from all the other job candidates. In this competitive world, companies search for the most qualified employees by weighing skills of the candidates and determining how they would benefit the company.

Majority of the top companies search for employers who stands out based from their expertise, ability to give new developments, and pleasing personalities that would enhance the organization.

Skills are grouped into three kinds – knowledge-based, transferable, and personal traits.

1) Knowledge-based skills are those learned from experiences. These may include educational attainment, additional training, seminars attended, and other practices that you have studied to enhance your expertise.

Knowledge-based skills include computer and communication skills, marketing or managerial knowledge, product development, and many more. These skills vary depending on the field of industry of each job candidate.

2) Transferable or portable skills are those you bring to a specific job. This is the reason why interviewers ask, “What could you offer the company?” Transferable skills are important because companies strive to look for quality employees that would improve the development of the workforce.

Portable skills include problem solving, team leader potential, organized, writing and communication skills, customer service oriented, time and project management, and good with numbers and budget. This kind of skills varies depending on the experience and versatility of each job candidate.

3) Personal traits determine who you are. In a job interview, one of the most common things an employer says is “Tell me something about yourself.” Your response is vital because it would set the tone for the rest of the interview.

Personal traits include good judgment, well organized, analytical, goal oriented, flexible, creative and many more. Try to sell yourself in as modest as possible within a limited time.

* Self-assessment. In order to provide an impressive presentation, examine your resume and list all the skills you have used for each past job experience. Make a comprehensive list of your skills and strengths including personal traits, knowledge-based and transferable skills. This would be the basis for your personal commercial.

* Once you have completed your script, you are now ready to face the interviewer. Remember that employers are interested in your accomplishments. Use words that are concise, direct and clear.

Although many companies require a unique set of skills, you should still highlight your technical skills in the interview. These skills, which top companies usually seek, include leadership, communication, confidence, flexibility, problem solving and energy.

Emphasizing all of your strengths and skills on job interviews would increase your chances of landing the desired job.