Resources- Candidate- Interview Tips for Candidates

Attending interviews can be a little daunting and everyone gets nervous. The prospective employer has read your profile and is interested in you! If you really feel that you need help honing your interview techniques you can try Interview Telecoaching with Australia's first Certified Employment Interview Professional. The solutions, techniques, and comprehensive e-Workbook provided during your coaching, will certainly provide you with innovative strategies to enhance your employment interviewing performance. 

Don’t be nervous…be positive, get excited and most of all - be yourself.

Before the interview

• Research your prospective employer. Visit their website, check any media releases, ask friends and family for any information they might have.
• Write down the address and time for the interview and keep it in a safe place so you don’t loose it.
• Plan how you will travel to your interview and work out how long it will take you to get there. You may even want to do a test-drive to the location of the interview to confirm expected travel time.
• Compile your resume, references and any other information you think an employer may be interested in and file it in a smart folder to take with you to the interview (this will also give you something to hold in your hands if you do get nervous).
• Print and read a copy of your profile so it is fresh in your mind.
• Prepare some questions to ask during your interview.

On the day of the interview

• Ensure you leave for your interview on time
• Dress appropriately
• Don’t forget to take the address and time for your interview with you to refer to
• if necessary

During the interview

• Turn off your mobile phone
• Introduce yourself to your interviewer
• Make some initial conversation to develop informal rapport
• Answer any questions clearly and concisely
• Give examples of your previous experience when they are relevant
• Smile, be polite and be yourself
• Enjoy the experience. This could be the start of a new stage for you. If not, it is still excellent experience

Questions you may like to ask

• How did the role become available? Eg: is it a new position or is someone moving to another role or organisation?
• Is there a job description for the role?
• Do you have many part time employees?
• Who will I be working with?
• Where will I be working?
• Is it possible for me to have a quick tour of the workplace?
• What challenges does the role offer?
• When are you looking for someone to start?
• What is the process for finalising the role following the interview?

Questions you may be asked

• Why are you looking to change roles?
• Is there something that particularly interests you in this role?
• What do you enjoy in your current role?
• What don’t you enjoy in your current role?
• What unique challenges do you see working part time will provide?
• What attracts you to this particular organisation?