Executive Interview Advice

An interview will make or break your job search. No matter how strong your experience and expertise, your success or failure will inevitably be driven by how well you perform during the interview. Although each interview is a unique event and will be structured depending on the types of roles recruited for; the recruiting organisation and the candidate being interviewed, by following a few simple guidelines you will give yourself the best opportunity to shine.

Before the interview

Pre-interview preparation will really make a difference. It is a chance for you to explore the roles and responsibilities referred to in your CV and covering letter, and also tailor your experience and expertise to best meet the needs of the interviewing company and role.

Know your audience

Once you have confirmed your interview, find out everything you can about the company you would like to work for. Carrying out good and relevant research is the single most powerful thing you can do to improve your chances of getting a job. It distinguishes good interviewees from bad and it can be virtually guaranteed that the most prepared candidate will get the job over someone who has not bothered.

There are many ways to research a company, but looking at their annual report, website and in-house magazines/newsletters will provide enough ammunition for you to show your commitment and willingness to go that extra mile.

Following the interview

If you are particularly keen on a job and would like to increase your chances of securing an offer, you might want to follow up the meeting by sending an email or letter to reinforce your commitment. If you do decide to send either, take this opportunity to show your passion for the role, your determination to succeed and address any issues raised during the interview, while also re-emphasising your ability to do the job.

If you do not get the job, don't give up. The truth is you will not be offered every job you interview for, no matter how perfect you think you might be for the role. In fact, being turned down for a role should be regarded as an opportunity to improve your future performance. Once you have received confirmation that you have been unsuccessful, take the opportunity to ask politely for feedback and take on board any comments made when applying for the next role!

Interview tips 

Interview performance is often the deciding factor when deciding between candidates for a job. This makes the face-to-face meeting a critical part of the recruitment process and you will need to impress from the start.

Following the interview preparation guidelines below will help overcome any interview nerves and instil confidence for a productive meeting with your potential employer.

•  Greet your interviewer standing, with a strong, firm handshake and a smile! Good body language is vital. Sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Speak clearly and confidently. Try and maintain a comfortable level of eye contact throughout.
•  A standard interview will generally start with an introductory chat, moving on to questions specific to your application and experience. General information about the company and role may follow, finishing with an opportunity for you to ask your own questions.
• Be familiar with your CV and prepared to answer questions from it. Similarly, ensure you have read any job description thoroughly and think of ways in which your experience will benefit your potential employer.
• Listen to what is being asked of you. Think about your answers to more difficult questions and do not give irrelevant detail. Give positive examples from your experience to date but be concise. Avoid one word answers however. Prepare yourself in advance for common interview questions.
• Be ready to ask questions that you have prepared beforehand. This can demonstrate you have thought about the role and done some research on the organisation. Ensure they are open, thus encouraging the interviewer to provide you with additional information.
• Show your enthusiasm for the role, even if you have some reservations. These can be discussed at a later stage.