Welcome to our news and advice column update
We have had an excellent first quarter of the year filling temporary assignments and permanent positions in places as far apart as Accrington and Central Manchester in positions as diverse as Credit Controller and Company Accountant. We still have plenty more opportunities both temporary and permanent across a whole range of organisations large and small. Keep looking at our website on a regular basis to find the role which suits you or call us to find out more. In the meantime to assist you with the recruitment process we are offering some further advice on how to do well at that all important interview.
Do your homework!
We cannot stress enough how important is to have done all your preparation for interview before you get there! There is very little worse than for a consultant to hear “She let herself down as she clearly had done no research about the company”. The interview is a focused activity to enable both parties to come to a decision. A fair bit of ground will be covered, opinions shared and impressions gained. You would never go into a company meeting without preparation. An interview where your very future is at stake has to be treated with the same seriousness.
So what do you need to do?
Research the organisation. Look at the web site/related companies. Get the feel for the organisation. A client is more likely to want your impressions rather than facts he/she already knows.
Read your own CV and the CV the agency has written for you – familiarise yourself with the details.
Read the job specification and the person specification (if supplied) and familiarise yourself with what the client is looking for.
Put the two together! Identify what you have done with what is being asked for – list real examples of where you demonstrated the skill or the personality trait
For Example
I was responsible for processing 300 high cost complex invoices per week on to SAP by matching, batching, coding and posting against thirty depots around the UK. This required great attention to detail.
I was responsible for a budget of £30m per annum. I prepared all cost centres reporting on a monthly basis, allowing for accruals and prepayments. I downloaded information from Oracle on to Excel for variance analysis – prepared and reported my findings to the board. This required strong technical skills plus an ability to explain issues to non financial managers successfully.
Think about the type of questions that could be asked of you. Below is a short list:
Why do you want to work for the company?
Why are you leaving your present position?
What can you bring to the company?
What would you describe as your weakness/strengths?
How do you plan your day? Give an example of ….
What questions do you wish to ask?
Never be afraid to ask questions at the end of an interview. Do not, however, ask questions for the sake of it. If you feel the interviewer has covered all of the questions you would have asked then say so – if not fire away!
Take your documents with you in a folder with all documents secured and refer to your homework if you need to!
If you follow the advice above you will feel confident and prepared to give your best.
One last point – having switched your mobile off to go in turn it back on after the interview and give us a call with your feedback!
Good luck!