Interview Do's and Don'ts

Interview do's

 Dress appropriately. Extremes in fashion or very casual clothes should generally be avoided. Look neat and clean.

 Be punctual. Make sure that you are 10 minutes early and if you are going to be unavoidably detained ring and let
them know.

 Express yourself and your views clearly.

 Bring a copy of all relevant documents, so you can refer to them if necessary.

 Listen carefully to the questions and answer clearly and thoughtfully.

 Make eye-contact. Remember to talk to the person (not the top right hand corner of the room or at their shoes).

 Make sure you fully understand the question and query any point about which you may be doubtful.

 If you are being interviewed by a panel, ensure that you direct your answer to the person who asked the question,
while still including the other interviewers by making brief eye contact.

 Ask questions. Selection is a two way process. They select you, but you also select them.

 Be aware of what your needs are, so as you can assess how well the company can fulfil them.

 Be Confident. Remember that you applied for the position because you thought that you could do it.

 Show enthusiasm for the company and the position.

 Remember that they already like you. Employers don't interview everyone. They only interview those people who
they think have the right skills and experience to succeed in the position. Consequently, in the interview, you
maintain and improve on the positive image that you have already created.

 Make sure that you always present your skills in a positive light. Even when describing your weaknesses you should
always show them what you are doing to rectify it.

 Make sure that you have an idea about where your want to be in the future and can relate the future goals to your
application for the present position. You must be able to answer the question "Where do want to be in five years
time?"

Interview don'ts

 Don't dress too casually or look untidy.

 Don't make derogatory remarks about past or present employers.

 Don't fidget or twitch, try to control other nervous mannerisms.

 Conversely, don't sit there like a statue. If you feel more comfortable talking with the aid of your hands for emphasis,
then use them, but try not to be too excessive in your gestures.

 Don't interrupt the interviewer before they have finished asking you a question and never finish their sentences for
them.

 Don't Lie. If you have to lie about what you are like or your abilities in order to obtain the job, you are likely to find
yourself in a position that you don't really like and probably one in which you will have problems fulfilling
successfully.
 Don't worry if you answer one question badly. Treat each question individually. Remember that if you mess up the
second question but answer the next 15 brilliantly they won't place much emphasis on the second question putting
your poor answer down to nerves. If however, you get so caught up in chastising yourself for making a mistake, you
will continue to make mistakes, have more problems thinking about your answer and finish feeling extremely
anxious and knowing that you made a mess of the interview.

 Don't talk about salary, holidays or bonuses unless they bring them up.

 Don't answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no". Make sure that you explain your reasoning fully.

 Don't wear too much perfume or aftershave.

 Don't smoke even if invited to do so.

 Top 10 interview dos and don'ts

 Do maintain a positive and confident attitude.

 Don't arrive late, sweaty and flustered – this will end the interview
before it begins.
 Do make sure you are well dressed.

 Don't wear trackie dacks, thongs and singlets.

 Do listen carefully to questions and instructions.

 Don't leave your mobile phone on.

 Do have a good understanding of the job and the company.

 Don't go into the interview without doing your homework.

 Do highlight what benefits you can bring to the company.

 Don't ramble on about things that aren't related to the industry.

 Do use your own experiences to answer the questions.

 Don't exaggerate your previous experiences or skills (too much).

 Do show passion and enthusiasm for the position.

 Don't yawn, stare out the window or pick your nose.

 Do promote your strengths and sell yourself.

 Don't reveal the negative parts of your personal life just yet.

 Do let the employer know you have a clear career plan.

 Don't sound confused about where you're heading.

 Do have a list of prepared questions to ask about the company and the
position.

 Don't act like a rabbit caught in the headlights when it's your turn to ask
questions.


Do

 Research the company – check their website, news articles, industry magazines etc.

 Prepare – know your CV, have examples ready to demonstrate different competencies & skills.

 Check the format of the interview beforehand to avoid being caught off guard.

 Have questions prepared for the interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the company and the job.

 Dress well – a smart business suit, neutral colours and clean shoes.

 Be on time!

Don’t

 Make negative or derogatory remarks about your current or previous employers.

 Over-answer questions – keep it short and to the point.

 Enquire about salary, bonuses or holidays during the first interview.

 Oversell yourself or be overly enthusiastic during the interview – it may be interpreted in the wrong way.

 Let your disappointment show if the interview is not going as planned.

Worksheet A

When being interviewed (job, college, by authority figures) the interviewer will use many factors to make a
judgement about you. If too many of them are negative, the interviewer will not have a good impression of you.

Match the word with the description.

you have been in school or college and

appearance
want to continue learning

you are interested in things and eager to

speech
take part

you are dressed smart and clean,

health
including clothes, skin, shoes, etc

people can trust you to be on time and to

education
complete what you start

attitude you want to work hard and get a good job

you know what is right and fair and what

enthusiastic
is wrong and unfair

you are quick to learn and like to learn

honest
new things

you speak clearly and don’t ramble or

reliable
answer with simple yes/no

you believe in your abilities and are not

confident
nervous

how fit you are, if you exercise, have any

ambitious
physical difficulties

you are happy, easy to talk to and like

intelligent
being with people
Script (good interview)
Jess: Come in.... Ah Michael.
Mike: Hello.
Jess: Nice to meet you,
Mike: And you.
Jess: Please sit down... so Michael I have some questions for you today, so firstly tell me about
yourself.
Mike: My name is Michael Richmond, I'm twenty-six and I live in Leeds, Harehills and I'm looking
for a full time job.
Jess: Have you worked in a supermarket before?
Mike: Yes, I worked at a supermarket in my hometown.
Jess: So, have you worked in a supermarket in Leeds before?
Mike: No, I haven't. I've been working in a newsagent.
Jess: Oh right, how long have you been in Leeds then Michael?
Mike: I've been in Leeds for about six months, I think, yes about six months.
Jess: So what are your skills then Michael?
Mike: I like working as part of a team, I like working on my own.. um, I'm reliable, I'm quite
responsible, and I'm quite willing to learn as well.
Jess: And have you done shift work before?
Mike: No, I haven't, but I would be willing to work weekends and maybe some evenings as well.
Jess: Oh good because we do have early shifts and late shifts.
Mike: Okay.
Jess: Okay?.. and lastly have you got any questions?
Mike: Erm, how many days holiday do I get?
Jess: At the moment we have eighteen days holiday, but there may be another two this year.
Mike: Ah Okay. Is there a canteen?
Jess: There is a staff canteen, most people bring their own sandwiches, there is a vending machine.
So Michael, it was lovely meeting you..
Mike: And you..
Jess:.. We'll call you Monday and hopefully you can start straight away..
Mike: Ah.. Okay!
Jess: Very nice to meet you, do you remember the way out?
Mike: Yes thank you.
Jess: Okay goodbye Michael.
Mike: Goodbye........ Yes!
Script (bad interview)

Sophie: Hello!
Jess: Ah, hello.. Sophie Watkinson?
Sophie: Yeah. Hi.
Jess: My name's Jess Brainsby, I'm the manager here at the supermarket, and I've got some questions to
ask you today. Okay, so firstly tell me about yourself.
Sophie: My name is Sophie and I'm looking for a job.
Jess: Okay. have you ever worked in a supermarket before?
Sophie: Yup.
Jess: Was that in Leeds?
Sophie: Yup.
Jess: Right ... erm ... what are your skills?
Sophie: Sometimes I'm quite hard working.
Jess: Okay. How long have you been in Leeds?
Sophie: Erm I don't know, about a year.
Jess: Right. Could you put the bag on the floor? Is that okay? That's better there's more space now. Have
you done shift work before?
Sophie: Yes, I hated it, it was horrible.
Jess: Right, because a lot of the work here is early shifts, late shifts, weekend shifts.
Sophie: Ohh. To be honest I'd rather work 9 'til five.
Jess: We have training here, are you interested in training?
Sophie: Hmm, I'm not too bothered.
Jess: Okay and finally, any questions?
Sophie: No.
Jess: Right, well that's all for now then Sophie, we'll give you a call on Monday.
Sophie: Right then see ya.
Jess: It was nice to meet …
Sophie: Oh I've forgotten my bag!
Jess: Right, okay, bye! Nice meeting you.
 Interview
Question
1. Tell us about yourself
"I think it will challenge me. I enjoy this kind of
2. Why do you want this job? work. I think I would be good at this
because ..."
3. Why should we hire your?
4. Why do you want to work
for this company?
5. What experience do you
have that relates to this job?
7. What are your
weaknesses?
8. Tell about a successful "I reorganized the filing system to make it more "I figured out how to get the time
experience you had on a job. efficient."
9. Why did you leave your
last job?
10. Why do you want to
leave your current job?
11. Tell about a problem you
had at a job and what you
did about it.
12. Tell about a mistake you
made at work and what
would do differently?
13. What is your career plan?
14. Where do you see
yourself in five years?
15. Do you have any
questions for us?
Example of a Good Answer Example of a Bad Answer
"Too long, talking too much about
"To the point, bringing in your strengths and
your personal life and not at all
your work history."
about anything related to this job."
"I think I will make more money."
"I will do a good job for you. I have the
experience. I work really hard. I like a challenge "I need this job"
and I like to learn new things"
"I think you are a good company. You do good
"You are hiring people."
work and I hear it's a nice place to work."
"I have done a lot of phone work at my last
"I don't come in late. I don't get into
three jobs. I have worked with computers a lot
fights. I don't steal. I don't come to
at my current job. I also do data entry and
work drunk or high. That's about it"
filing."
"I am hard to get along with.
"I work too hard sometimes and get too tired I
Sometimes I don't want to work
expect that others will always do as good a job
hard, especially if I was out late the
as I will"
night before."
clock to not notice if I was late."
"I needed a new challenge" "I couldn't get along with them"
"I have learned a lot there, and it is time to "I think they are going to fire me
move on" soon"
"I had a disagreement with my boss and we sat "I had a disagreement with my boss
down, talked about it and worked it out." and I hit him."
"I used to get angry at other people if they
weren't doing their best and once I hurt
"I stole money once. If I had it to do
someone's feelings by saying something. I
again I wouldn't get caught."
would be more diplomatic and understanding
now."
"I would like to be working for this company at
"I have no plan"
a management level in five years."
"I would like to be sitting on the other side of
"I don't know"
this table, having moved up in this company"
"Is there much opportunity for growth and "Do you think you are going to hire
training in this job? me?"
Is there much evening or weekend work in this
job?
I have no questions right now, but can I let you
know later if I think of any?"