Checklist – Interview Preparation

Research the organization

 Look at the company’s news and press releases (most Important)
 Search for information related to your area
 Look at company’s website to ensure that you understand what they do
 Review the organization's background and mission statement
 Assess their products and services

Compare your skills and qualifications to the job requirements

 Analyse the job description. Outline the knowledge and skills required
 List the main requirements and think about your relevant experience for each

Interviewer/Type of interview
Study about your interviewers, look for the profile on LinkedIn and google the name for extra
information.

Ask what is the interview style, it can be competency based (focused on the skills and experience
described in the job spec), panel interview (more than 1 interviewer, usually 3 or 4), case interview
(interview questions plus presentation), technical interview (usually with the manager, exploring
your technical skills and experience and it can include a technical test)

Research the Interview Process

The Glassdoor website is a good resource

Once you conduct your research, you will be prepared to start thinking about the skills and
experiences you can bring to the table that will truly be what the company needs to see in a
candidate.

Interview Homework
Complete the table I sent, with relevant information about your experience. It will help you to
formulate many answers. You need to know the Benefits You can Bring to The Table

Prepare responses
 Most interviews involve a combination of resume-based, behavioural and situational
questions
 Answer the list of questions I will send you.
 This kind of question is not difficult you just need to be prepared

STAR Technique
Many companies expect candidates to answer question using this technique

Situation: The interviewer wants you to present a recent situation.

Task: What were you required to achieve? The interviewer will be looking to see what you were
trying to achieve from the situation.
Action: What did you do? The interviewer will be looking for information on what you did, why you
did it and what the alternatives were.
Results: What was the outcome of your actions? What did you achieve through your actions and did
you meet your objectives? What did you learn from this experience and have you used this learning
since?

Typical Questions for Candidate to Ask

Be careful, not to ask many questions!!

 What is the biggest challenge of this role?

 How does this role contribute to larger company goals?
 What is the biggest challenge the team has faced in the past year?

Pay attention to non-verbal communication

 Project confidence. Smile, establish eye contact and use a firm handshake
 Posture counts. Sit up straight yet comfortably. Be aware of nervous gestures such as foot-
tapping.
 Be attentive. Don't stare, but maintain good eye contact, while addressing all aspects of an
interviewer's questions.
 Always think before answering.
 Don’t rush to answer, an interview is not an interrogatory, it´s a conversation.
 Don’t talk too much. Answer the question if you know, don’t try to make up things

Telephone Interview
it is quite common for companies to conduct an initial “telephone screen” with a candidate.

Key tips:

 Find a quiet environment.

 Sit in a chair that will allow for you to sit upright and attentive.
 Pick one object in the room you are sitting in and focus on it during the interview.
 Clear a work area near the phone and keep your CV, job spec, company description and
news handy to help you formulate your answers
 Have the most relevant experience highlighted on your CV
 Company info with pertinent info highlighted.
 The success of a telephone interview begins with mental preparation and setting the stage
with the interviewer.
 Voice reflects personality. A well-modulated, controlled voice communicates authority and
heightens the verbal impact you want to make. The quality, pitch and timing of your speech
convey a certain attitude, energy level and enthusiasm.
 “Enthusiasm and excitement are the biggest selling points of candidates talking on the
phon,”
 Pay attention to the interviewer’s voice patterns; does he speak slowly or rapidly? Try to
match the cadence so that the conversion flows smoothly