Different types of Interview

• Telephone. Often used to screen candidates. Make sure you are in a quiet place and unlikely to be interrupted.

• Video. Can be used as part of the screening process or if the company is a long distance away. Ensure that your laptop is charged and the webcam working correctly.

• Assessment centre. Likely to last at least half a day and can include a presentation, group activity, psychometric testing and an interview.

• Face to face. Can be one person or a panel interviewing you.

What to bring?

• Copy of your CV and application.

• Photo ID.

• Anything else mentioned in the invitation.

• Bottle of water, notepad and pen.

How to prepare

• Make sure you know where the place is located and that you have planned your route.

• Allow slightly longer in case of any delays.

• Learn about the company- look at their website, social media and any recent news items. Know their values and vision.

• Review your CV/job application form in case you are asked any questions about it.

• Plan what you are going to wear and make sure that it is clean.

• Practice some possible interview questions based on the job description.

• Think of some questions you can ask at the end of your interview.

The STAR technique

Often a question at interview will require you to describe a situation when you have used a particular skill. The STAR method is a good way of answering this type of question.

• Situation - explain the situation.

• Task - What was required of you?

• Action - What you actually did.

• Result - What was the outcome?

Make sure you use the first person when answering e.g. I did this (not we did this). It is you that is being interviewed.

Possible questions to ask at the end of the interview

• Are there any training opportunities?

• What would you expect a typical day to be like?

• Who will I be working with on a daily basis?

• What specific challenges are associated with this role?

Online Interviews

More employers are moving to remote interviewing, but do not let this stop you from applying.

Types of remote interviews

• Pre-recorded video (answer questions verbally as they appear on the screen within a set time scale)

• Real time video. (Often use Skype, Teams, Zoom or FaceTime)

• Telephone

• Virtual Assessment

Helpful hints and tips

• Be somewhere quiet with good network reception, where you will not be interrupted or distracted.

• Set yourself up in advance and ideally keep your phone/laptop/tablet charging.

• Dress smartly, treat this like any other interview.

• Sit up straight, ideally in a proper chair.

• Check the lighting, make sure that you can be seen clearly.

• Sep up your mobile device so that you are looking straight at the camera.

• Check the time. Be ready to answer the call.

About the Interview

• Real time video interviews are much like a face to face interview- just not in person!

• Real time video calls traditionally last up to 45 minutes.

• Expect a series of questions that are competency based.

• Most real time video interviews have one or two interviewers.

• A video interview gives the employer an insight into your suitability for the role, and an opportunity to observe your communication skills and ability to have a conversation - a key skill in any role.

Remember the 3 rules

• Prepare well.

• Practice lots.

• Take on feedback to help you improve.

Remember:

Relax and stay calm- the more you practice, the more confident you will be during the actual call.

Helpful Resources

For interview practice

Barclays Lifeskills

Monster

Target Jobs