Preparing for a Job Interview

No matter how much you want to get a job, when a letter inviting you for an interview drops on to the mat, don't be surprised if your first reaction is to panic. It's a perfectly natural response, especially if you've been at home, or at the same job, for several years and are out of practice at handling interviews. But they don't have to be a terrifying experience. If you're well prepared, your next interview could bring the job you've waited for.

Do your homework

The first step is to do some groundwork. The interview is bound to be a few days away, which gives you plenty of time.

If the person writing hasn't enclosed any information about the company, phone the personnel (or Human Resources) department and ask for a copy of the latest annual report or a selection of promotional material.

In case no printed material is available, have some questions ready when you phone. These could be about the size and activities of the organisation.

You could also look up information on the internet, and go through reference material found at places such as the Malta Financial Services Centre. Or even better, ask people who currently work there.

If you're already familiar with the company, at least phone to confirm the interview arrangements.

This is a good opportunity to make a favourable impression in advance. Try to sound confident and pleased by the invitation without being too eager.

Be Prepared

A day or so before the interview re-read the job advert, your CV and the copy you kept of your application. Draw up a list of your strengths and weaknesses including all your skills, experience, interests, and personal qualities, not just those you think would be relevant to this particular job.

Next, try to imagine yourself in the position of the person doing the recruiting. Write down all the qualities and abilities you think he or she will be looking for.

Now think about less obvious things which could be valuable to the company. For example, if you've taken a course of evening classes, you are obviously well motivated and willing to work hard and learn new skills - all worthwhile qualities.

Also consider any factors which might count against you and think of ways to underplay them or turn them to your advantage. Do you lack a particular skill or aspect of experience important for the job? This needn't be an insurmountable obstacle if you can convince the interviewer you're keen to learn and have other equally or even more valuable abilities.

Now write a list of all the questions the interviewer might ask and think of ways to answer that will bring in as many of your strengths as possible.

Be prepared to explain why you left your last job or have been out of the workplace for so long. True, you may have spent several years at home, but that time has not been wasted. You've become an expert at budgeting, running a household, managing your time, soothing hurt feelings and getting small people to do things they don't necessarily want to do. In short, you have developed a variety of skills, personal and administrative, which can equally well be used to get the best out of yourself and other big people in a work environment.

Don't criticise a previous employer, admit to a personality clash or a poor work record - these are not reasons to inspire a potential employer. Stress the positive factors underlying your work history - your desire to progress, to have more responsibility or to acquire new skills.

You'll almost certainly be asked why you want the job. Be as positive and enthusiastic as you can without gushing. Use you knowledge of the company to impress the interviewer and explain why it's the perfect job for you. And don't forget to stress what you can offer them.

Don't be surprised if you're asked to admit your faults or weaknesses - it's a common interview question. No one will believe you if you say you haven't any at all though. Instead, explain you don't have any which would affect your ability to do the job. If the interviewer continues to ask, offer something which could be interpreted in your favour. For instance you might say: 'I expect a high performance of others' or 'I tend to get very involved in my job.'

Another popular question is where do you see yourself in x years' time? Here it's important to show a good balance of ambition and staying power - no company wants to hire someone who'll leave in six months or who will stagnate in the same job for 20 years. Something along the lines of: 'I believe my future lies with this company and I hope that in time I'll prove that I deserve promotion or extra responsibility', would strike the correct note.

Interviewers are also fond of posing hypothetical questions such as: 'What if you had to deal with an irate client?' Don't be thrown. The best way to answer is to apply some common sense - imagine it's a situation in your everyday life, the circumstances might be different, but the correct way to handle it will probably be quite similar.

Tricky or unfair questions are difficult to anticipate. A common one for working mothers is: 'How do you think you can cope with this job, running a house and bringing up a family?' Respond politely but firmly. Point out that you wouldn't have applied for the job if you weren't well prepared for this. Make it clear that your home is well organised and you're aware of the demands of the job.

Don't learn answers to possible questions parrot fashion though. It'll sound unnatural to the interviewer and, if you aren't asked exactly the ones you've prepared for, it could put you off your stride.

Article prepared by Commercial Services Bureau (CSB) Ltd.

Since 1987, CSB Ltd. has been servicing the local and international business community with its range of employment/recruitment related services. It has helped thousands of employees improve their job conditions and careers, and employers obtain the ideal staff for their organisations.