Preparation for the Interview

Preparation is the first step towards a successful interview. Company interviewers are continually amazed at the number of applicants who drift into their offices without any apparent preparation and only the vaguest idea of what they are going to say. Thus, it is important to:

  1. Know the exact place and time of the interview, the interviewer's full name and correct pronunciation and his/her title.
  2. Find out specific facts about the company; where its offices, plants or stores are located, what its products and/or services are, what its growth has been, and what its growth potential is for the future. There are a number of research publications providing this kind of information:

    (a) Business Who's Who of Australia
    (b) Compass Australia
    (c) Jobson's Yearbook of Public Companies

    Hard copies are available in public libraries, usually in the Reference Section. Online versions are also available if you subscribe to their service. A brokerage office or your bank may also be able to supply you with pertinent information. The internet is an excellent resource for information, although some sites may require subscription to access full company information.

    (d) Australian Stock Exchange
    (e) BRW
    (f) The Australian Financial Review

  3. Refresh your memory on the facts and figures of your present employer and former employers. You will be expected to know a lot about the companies for which you have worked.
  4. Prepare the questions you will ask during the interview. Remember that an interview is a two-way street. The employer will try to determine through questioning if you have the qualifications and skills to do the job. You must determine, through questioning, whether the company will give you the opportunity for the growth and development you seek.
  5. Probing questions you might ask:

    (a) A detailed description of the position.
    (b) The reason the position is available.
    (c) The culture of the company.
    (d) Anticipated induction and training program.
    (e) What sort of people have done well?
    (f) Career scope (advanced training).
    (g) Company growth plans.
    (h) Best selling products and/or services.
    (i) The next step.

  6. Dress conservatively and preferably in dark colours. Pay attention to all facets of your dress and grooming, including hair and shoes.
  7. Take any Visa documentation that you may need.

Be Prepared to Answer Questions

  1. Why did you choose this particular role? What do you really want to do in your next career move?
  2. Why would you like to work for our organisation?
  3. What do you want to be doing in your career five years from now? Why?
  4. What was your last salary and bonus?
  5. What style of management produces the best from you?
  6. What interests you about our products and/or services?
  7. Do you have references from past employers? What would they say about you?
  8. What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held? Which did you enjoy the most? Why?
  9. What have you done that shows initiative in your career?
  10. What is your major weakness? What are you doing about it?
  11. What do you think determines an individual's progress in a good company?
  12. Are you willing to relocate? Where?
  13. What does teamwork mean to you?
  14. Do you save any money? What entrepreneurial activities have you been engaged in?
  15. What type of book(s) do you read? What was the last one?

Negative Factors to Watch For

During the course of an interview, the employer will be evaluating your negative factors as well as your positive attributes. Listed below are negative factors frequently evaluated during the course of an interview and those which most often lead to rejection.

  1. Poor personal appearance.
  2. Overbearing, aggressive, conceited, superiority complex, know-it-all.
  3. Inability to express your thoughts clearly, poor diction or grammar.
  4. Lack of planning for career - no purpose or goals.
  5. Lack of interest and enthusiasm - passive and indifferent.
  6. Lack of confidence - nervousness.
  7. Over-emphasis on money - interested only in remuneration.
  8. Evasive - makes excuses for unfavourable factors in record.
  9. Lack of tact/maturity/courtesy.
  10. Condemnation of past employers.
  11. Failure to look interviewer in the eye.
  12. Limp handshake.
  13. Lack of appreciation of the value of experience.
  14. Failure to ask relevant questions about the job and company.
  15. Persistent attitude of "what can you do for me?"
  16. Lack of preparation for the interview - failure to get information about the company, resulting in an inability to ask intelligent questions.

 
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