advice on interviews.

Hi all,

I am giving my first interview tomorrow. I want to try and keep away from the usual txtbook questions that make me want to scream when I'm being interviewed......like the where do you see yourself in so many years....... bla bla bla

Any tips for making my interviewees feel comfortable and get the most out of the meeting?

Do your research!!! Research the company, what it does (outside of the job role you're applying for), who it's clients/suppliers are, what they do. If you can find out who MIGHT be interviewing you, read up as much as you can on them.

Learn everything you read, and memorise it. Once you've got that down, remember not to repeat parrot fashion in the interview, and you'll be fine.

Show them you know what the company is about, and you'll come across as keen to work there, and a self motivated person. Assuming you have the qualifications that are NEEDED for the job, and you fit in with the team they already have, research will mean the difference between "When can you start?" or "We've got a few more people to interview, so we'll be in touch."

Baph, If I've read it correctly he's doing the interviewing.

Dunno what you can do, appear in your pants so they don't have use their imagination?

Thanks Baph.......I'm actualy the recruiter (modified post so its a bit clearer) ......but that workes to......on my list to make sure they researched the company

Originally Posted by Law

Dunno what you can do, appear in your pants so they don't have use their imagination?

Originally Posted by svJvJ

Any tips for making my interviewees feel comfortable and get the most out of the meeting?

don't use loads of acronyms and management speak

I don't interview as such I tend to just talk slouch in a chair. Go through the application form if there is one and get them expand on what they have said. That should be easy for them so puts them at ease.

Interviews shouldn't be a one sided test and really all you will get in terms of valuable info will be their personality and communication skills and to be fair if they have been good enough to reach this far, that is what you want to know.

Make sure you have a laugh and giggle!

If my current record stands that will probably be the last post you get - I seem to have knack of killing threads dead at the moment!!

Man, I've done hundreds of interviews in my time, and still get nervous being the Interviewer

Heres my thoughts...

Dont talk about yourself for 30 minutes! ( lots of interviewers do),

1) invite them to sit down and get comfortable (avoids that "should I sit now before him/her" moment)
2) offer to get them a drink
3) start off asking about their journey in,
4) explain the format of the interview (formal/informal/Competency based etc)
5) explain the selection period (several candidates, will make a decision on next stage by xxxx, will inform the agency by xxxx )
6) talk about the company and the role
7) ask if they have any questions about what you just explained
move on to ask a few questions about their experience/skills
9) then move on to competency based questions (see below)
10) ask if they have any questions for you
11) summerise 5) again
12) shake hands, escort out

everyone these days does competency based interviewing...

Give me an example when....

You had to work on your own initiative
Made a mistake and how did you correct/address it
You had to delegate for your boss... and what did you enjoy/hate when doing it
Whats your worst skill/attribute and why
Whats your best skill/attribute and why

etc etc, it generates open expansive answers, why help show their character etc.... google it, theres bound to be a site somewhere with better examples of questions

Alan I see you been on the structured interview course

would just add, make sure they talk about what they like to do away from work so it gives you an idea of what hobbies and interests they have, its best not to have someone who has no intersts outside work.