Interviews 101

You got the call you have been waiting for. Now what?

When the phone rings

Firstly, when the phone does ring, make sure that you are prepared:

• Repeat the address, date and time back, to be absolutely sure you have the correct information.
• Ask for the name of the person you will be meeting.
• Confirm which position the interview is for — especially if you have been actively job hunting and have submitted for more than one.
• Ask about the format: is it a panel interview, and is it with the HR department, the line manager or the CEO?
• Ask whether there will be some form of practical test.
• Ask how much time is allocated for the interview.
• Thank the caller and say that you are looking forward to the interview.

You do not need the pressure of everyone — including your mother-in-law — adding more emotion to how excited and overwhelmed you feel this minute. You also definitely don’t need to post about your interview on social media or in job-seeker chat groups.

This is not the time to reply to well-wishers or curious Georges. This is a time for quiet focus — and we all know that where focus goes, energy flows.

Before the interview

Do your research — and practise

This does not mean quickly googling the company website. You have to do that in any case, to have some background. By research we are referring to practising for the interview.

The internet is filled with a wealth of knowledge to prepare yourself for standard interview questions. Take the time, make the effort to research these types of questions. Think about your possible answers, your word choice, and exactly what you want your message to be.

Keep the set timeframe for the interview in mind while you prepare, and keep your practice answers short.

In essence, an interview is just a structured conversation. The company already showed interest in you by inviting you — now is the time to prove yourself.

Go back to your résumé

Double-check the dates listed for each previous position. Make sure you don’t get to an interview and accidentally refer to five years’ experience in some aspect when it was actually only three. Memorise your career.

As you go over this, think back to the best and worst parts of each previous position. That will naturally guide you to answer possible questions about your strengths and weaknesses, how you function in a team, your communication skills and past accomplishments.

The day before

Decide on an appropriate outfit to wear. Even if the interview is virtual, dress for the interview as if in person — it conveys not only respect for the company but also your level of self-respect.

When you arrive

• Be at least 10 minutes early.
• Switch your cell phone off before you go into the building — and put the phone away.
• Now is not the time to check your emails or catch up on news.
• Be aware of any COVID requirements and register yourself at the entrance if needed. If you are unsure, ask.
• Announce yourself at reception and wait to be called.
• There is no harm in polite conversation with other candidates in the reception area — as long as you are comfortable doing so.
• Use the quiet time to orientate yourself and get a feel for the company culture: notice how the staff dress, how they speak to each other, what type of calls the receptionist receives. Learn something — it might prove useful within the next five minutes.

In the room

Body language

• Make direct eye contact with each person you are introduced to.
• Repeat the name of the person if you get a chance — but do not repeat your own name. They heard it the first time; it really is fine.
• Take a moment to be seated comfortably and upright. Do not lean back in a chair. Ever.
• If the chair has wheels, pretend that it does not. Use only the swivel action if you need to respond to a question outside your direct line of sight.
• Keep your arms resting comfortably in your lap — do not fiddle.

Liquids

If you are offered something to drink, it might be best to decline — especially if you are still feeling nervous. Cups and saucers sometimes have a mind of their own and fall over. No one is interested in how many sugars or how much milk froth you need for the perfect latté, and by the time you are settled your 15 minutes may be over with the cup still scorching hot and untouched.

Should you, however, suddenly feel a weird tingling in your throat and are scared it will lead to coughing or a strange-sounding voice — accept the water, take a sip, put it down and forget about it.

“Tell me about yourself”

This is the absolute stock-standard opening question in most interviews — and here we insist on your undivided attention, because your answer can make or break an interview. Although it is only four words, the question can have four meanings:

This is the only question you need a prepared answer for: the answer that has to be sitting ready in your pocket. Not only in your pocket, but on your bathroom mirror and against the fridge door — your mantra for every day while preparing for the interview.

An example of a solid answer:

“My five years as a sales representative in the paper industry mean that I have a good understanding of the challenges, seasonal trends and buying habits of the printing industry. The printing industry already forms the core of my client base. I applied for this position at ECO Paper because I can service the same client base with your range of sustainably sourced paper products. Your product range is also the perfect fit for my personal values of sustainability.”

…and there you sealed the deal. Because no matter what the motivation for the question was, you now have their undivided attention.

Should the interviewer actually have intended to get an answer about your home life and interests, they would have asked the question in a way that made it clear they were interested in your pets, hobbies, interests or kids.

Read the room

Be aware of the reaction and behaviour of the people who are interviewing you, not just their words. Their body language should be a good indication of their perception of you.

Should three out of five look bored, shorten the answers you give to questions, maybe raise your voice slightly, and add positive energy to the way you talk.

From here on you can expect it all to be smooth sailing. You are prepared, experienced and confident. Trust yourself.

When it is your turn to ask questions

Please, oh please, don’t ask about all the benefits and leave days, or whether they do in fact pay for overtime. You don’t want the final impression of you to be that you are most interested in when not to work.

Have one good closing question ready. It would be best if you could refer back to a specific aspect mentioned during the interview itself — something you need more information about, or that really piqued your interest.

Should you want to depend on internet wisdom for a good closing question, please stick to something applicable to the position. Don’t try to sound clever or use words that don’t form part of your everyday vocabulary.

A last word

An interview is only a structured conversation. The purpose is to learn about the candidate — the person behind the résumé — and nobody can present that better than you.

Our best wishes accompany you to your next interview. You’ve got this!
— The FS Personnel team