What do you want to be doing in your career five years from now?
What interests you about our services?
What have you learned from some of the jobs you have held?
Which job did you enjoy the most and why?
Why did you leave your previous employment?
What have you done that shows initiative in your career?
What are your major weaknesses and what are your strengths?
Do you have any physical limitations?
Questions you may ask:
A detailed description of the position.
The reason why the position has became available.
The culture of the company.
About their induction and training programs.
What is the next step of the interview process?
You must determine whether this company will provide opportunities for the growth and development you seek.
On arrival
Shake hands firmly
Stand tall and look the interviewer in the eyes and smile.
Wait to be invited to sit down
Maintain good eye contact, follow the interviewer's leads
If you do not understand a question, politely ask them to rephrase it, or encourage them to be more specific.
Classic Dos and Don’ts Do:
Prepare as best as you can (ask your HORNER Consultant for help in research advice e.g. the Company’s Website Address)
Dress appropriately, adhering to the company's dress code (ask your HORNER Consultant’s opinion if you are unsure)
ALWAYS arrive on time or 5 minutes before your interview time (plan your trip in advance in order to take into consideration transport and/or parking delays)
Have your mobile phone switched to silent or, even better, turned off
Listen to the interviewer
Use the interviewer's name
Observe the interviewer's reactions
Take brief notes (if you wish)
Answer questions directly and specifically and avoid long pauses
Describe your accomplishments in qualitative terms
Display confidence in your past achievements
Ask questions that reflect preparation and logical thinking
Express interest in the employer's needs and the job; and
End negatives with a positive, for example 'No, but I can learn it quickly'.
Don’t:
Smoke just before going into an interview – gum and perfume won’t mask it;
Chew gum;
Relax too much…for example leaning back in your chair
Be aggressive, impatient or arrogant;
Give only 'yes' or 'no' answers to questions;
Argue;
Lose your cool or show nervousness;
Criticise past or present employers;
Highlight any weaknesses you may have without a positive;
Read documents that are on the interviewer's desk; and
Answer your mobile phone (which should be switched off anyway).
Remember, the focus for the interview is to communicate what it is in your background that qualifies you to do this job. Your job is to communicate your background's relevance to this position's requirements and needs.
