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WelcomeThe Complete Interview Guide 1THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW GUIDEHELPING YOU LAND THE PERFECT ROLE
Welcome1 The Complete Interview GuideCONTENTS02 Welcome03 Prepare to be the best youHow to prepareThe day of the interview09 Make a strong startHow to maximise the first fiveminutes of an interview15 Know your interview questionsCommon interview questionsTell a powerful story23 Avoid common interviewmistakesTop six mistakes to avoid29 Thrive in all conditionsMaking that Skype interview countUnderstand your interviewerOvercoming unconscious bias35 Contact Us
WelcomeThe Complete Interview Guide 2WELCOME TO ROBERT WALTERSHelping professionals findfulfilling careersOur story begins in 1985 whenthe Group opened its firstoffice in central London. Sincethen we have developed intoa global specialist professionalrecruitment group, operatingin a diverse range of marketsworldwide.ROBERT WALTERSCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERFor over 32 years, we’ve beenhelping talented professionalsdevelop their careers, job moveafter job move. It’s a successstory we’re proud of and onethat’s built on the strength andpassion of our people.As the business continues toexpand, we operate with thesame commitment to serviceand quality. Every candidate istreated as an individual with afocus on advising, consultingand helping you to succeedthrough the job screeningprocess.It’s one of the reasons we’veproduced this comprehensiveinterview guide. We arecommitted to helping ourcandidates conduct successfulinterviews and thereforeoutshine the competition.Regardless of your level, thisguide will help you to perfectyour interview skills.Our consultants often comefrom industry backgrounds andknow what hiring managerswant, so they’re also wellplaced to help you prepare foran interview. They take the timeto listen to your career goalsand match you with the rightrole.In addition, unlike the majorityof our competition, we will putyou forward for all suitable roles,regardless of which consultantyou speak to. We also promiseto never send your CV outwithout your permission.We hope you find this guideuseful and invite you to getin touch if you would like todiscuss your next career move.Our contact details are at theback of the guide.Robert WaltersCEORobert Walters Plc
Prepare to be the best you3 The Complete Interview GuidePREPARE TO BE THE BEST YOU
Prepare to be the best youThe Complete Interview Guide 4“We see it all the time – great candidatesbeing passed over because they didn’tprepare for an interview properly. Even ifyou don’t have the full skill set you canstill land the job by being well preparedand enthusiastic.“
Prepare to be the best you5 The Complete Interview GuideHOW TO PREPAREThe importance of preparation cannot be overstated.As well as boosting your confidence, it will help you toshow the best you.Interviewers frequently test a candidate’s preparation to seehow enthusiastic they are about the role and the company.Thorough preparation demonstrates to them that you’re seriousabout the job.For a fairly straightforward interview you should allow half aday’s preparation time, but for more senior roles which willrequire you to go deeper, it’s best to allocate a full day.RESEARCHThe first thing to do is visit thecompany’s website and socialchannels. Make sure you readthe home page, about us andservices/products sectionsand note down the key pointsyou learn about the companyincluding its history, vision andmission.Then move on to a web searchof the company to find out ifit’s been in the news lately. Thiswill ensure you come acrossas informed and up-to-datewith topical issues. It’s alsoa good idea to know who itscompetitors are and whatdifferentiates them from otherbusinesses in their field.LEARNLearn your CV off by heart sothat you can talk naturally andfluently about your employmenthistory and key achievements.Spend some time mapping outhow your skills and experiencematch the job description.You want to make it easy for theinterviewer to see how you’rea great fit for the role. It’s alsowise to research your currentand previous employers onlineso you can answer questionsconfidently.PRACTICEAsk someone you trust to helpyou practice common interviewquestions and competencybased interview questions.Practising out loud will stop youfrom ‘rambling’ on the day andhelp you to communicate yourthoughts clearly and succinctly.We cover interview questionslater in the guide.DEVISE YOUR QUESTIONSTry to think of questions that willmake you stand out from otherinterviewees. Interviewers tendto be impressed by candidateswith an enthusiastic attitude andthose who have gone the extramile to prepare for the interview.
Prepare to be the best youThe Complete Interview Guide 6While it’s a good idea to look atthe interviewer’s LinkedIn profile,it’s important to ensure youdon’t come across as ‘creepy’by commenting on personalinformation you’ve gleaned – it’sbest to keep it professional.Likewise, read the annual reportand latest press releases.Look for things where you canmake a link to the role anddepartment you are hoping tojoin. For example, “I read thatyou’ve just launched x. Whatwill that mean for the growth ofthis role?”Be creative and imaginative, andremember to avoid questionsabout pay and benefits in thefirst interview. These topics canbe discussed once you’ve beenoffered the job.FAST FACTS Go the extra mile with your researchMap out how your skills and experience match the jobdescriptionDo a mock interview with a friend or your recruiterPrepare interesting questions to make yourself stand out“I always start by asking people to explainwhat our business does. This deceptivelysimple question floors lots of people – it’samazing how many interviewees strugglewith it, perhaps because they’re attendingseveral interviews in a row and haven’tmade the time to do much research.But if you don’t come across as havinga firm grasp of the company and why it’shiring, the interviewer can only concludethat you’re not really that bothered aboutthe job.“Use your questions todemonstrate your preparationand insight. For example, ifyou’ve looked at some of theiremployees’ LinkedIn profilesand seen that people tend toget promoted every two to threeyears, then ask about that.
Prepare to be the best you7 The Complete Interview GuideTHE DAY OF THE INTERVIEWWhile preparing for the interview is important, it’s alsovital to prepare for the day itself by planning your outfit,transport route and what to take.WHAT TO WEARWith six in 10 managers sayinghow an interviewee dresseshas a big impact on theiremployability, first impressionsreally do count. However,nowadays there is a lot offlexibility and variety in whatpeople wear to work, so it’simportant to do your researchby looking at social channelssuch as Glassdoor and Youtubeto see what the dress code is.You don’t want to show up ata tech start-up in a three-piecesuit!Your recruitment consultant willadvise you on the dress code,but if you’re dealing directlywith the hiring manager, thenit’s perfectly acceptable to askthem outright. For example,“I hope you don’t mind measking but can you please tellme what the dress code isfor the interview?” Dressingprofessionally will help yourskills, achievements andpersonality to shine through.Remember to subtly changeyour outfit for the secondinterview.
Prepare to be the best youThe Complete Interview Guide 8WHAT TO TAKEIt’s always a good idea totake several copies of yourCV in case the interviewerunexpectedly brings a colleagueto the meeting. You will comeacross as calm and organisedif you can hand out additionalcopies without becomingflustered. Writing down thecompany address, interviewtime, and name and title of yourinterviewer is also advisable, incase your mobile phone fails onthe day.FAST FACTS Find out the dress code before the interviewResearch your transport routeArrive at reception 10 minutes earlyTake extra copies of your CV and a portfolio if appropriate“While it’s important to dress professionallyyou don’t want to appear a clone – it’s okto express your personality through yourdress, just don’t overdo it. You want theinterviewer to recognise your skills andexperience, not to be distracted by whatyou’re wearing.“PLAN YOUR JOURNEYResearch your route the nightbefore, ensuring you build inplenty of time in case of delays.You may like to arrive in the areaearly so you can go over yournotes at a café. Regardlessof what time you arrive, don’treport to reception until 10minutes before your interviewtime.
Make a strong start9 The Complete Interview GuideMAKE A STRONG START
Make a strong startThe Complete Interview Guide 10“One candidate I interviewed recentlyasked me a non-stop string of questionsabout my family, the job, the company,things in the news – all sorts of things.But he didn’t really have much to sayhimself and he didn’t really wait to hear myanswer before asking the next question,so he just came across as rather anxiousand scattered.“
Make a strong start11 The Complete Interview GuideHOW TO MAXIMISE THE FIRST FIVEMINUTES OF AN INTERVIEWWe’ve all heard it said that first impressions count andit’s especially true of job interviews. One third of bossessay they know within 90 seconds whether they will hiresomeone, so starting strong is a must.From the all important hand shake to making small talk andmaintaining eye contact, there are so many things to be awareof in the first five minutes of an interview. Given these first fewmoments can have such a decisive impact on how well the restof the interview goes, here’s how to start strong – together withsome cautionary tales of what not to do from real interviewers.1. REMEMBER THE INTERVIEWSTARTS AS SOON AS YOULEAVE THE HOUSEThe interview starts long beforeyou shake hands and sit downaround the table. You neverknow who you might bumpinto as you get off your bus ortrain, or enter the company’sbuilding – for all you know, yourinterviewer could be in the samecoffee bar queue as you. Somake sure you project a friendly,confident, professional air fromthe moment you set off.Doubtless you’ll have madesure you arrive early. Giveyourself time to have a comfortbreak and make sure you’rehydrated. Make conversationwith the receptionist, switchoff your phone and take inyour surroundings – you mightnotice something that willmake a useful small-talk topiclater. Don’t try to cram in anylast-minute facts – you wantto come across as calm andorganised, not flustered andunder-prepared.2. TREAT EVERYONE YOUMEET AS YOUR INTERVIEWERMake sure that you’re polite andfriendly to everyone you comeacross in the interview process.From greeting the receptionist,to the people you share a liftwith, to walking through anopen-plan office to reach yourmeeting room – these are alltouchpoints with your potentialfuture employer. Co-workers willoften share their impressionsof visitors afterwards, so youwant everyone who comes intocontact with you to see you inas positive a light as possible.
Make a strong startThe Complete Interview Guide 12Clothes-wise, try to matchyour dress style to that of thecompany you’re meeting.You want to project somepersonality and charisma, butyou also want to come acrossas a good fit, so if in doubtalways err on the formal side.FAST FACTS Be professional from the moment you leave the houseBe courteous and friendly to everyone you encounterMake sure your body language shows you’re engaged andenthusiasticMatch your dress style to that of the company you’remeeting“It’s important that you stand to greet yourinterviewer with a firm handshake, eyecontact and a smile. Remember not tosit until you’re offered a seat. They mayinitiate some small talk to put you at ease,so use this opportunity to demonstrateyour interpersonal skills.“3. CREATE A STRONG FIRSTIMPRESSIONFirst impressions count, andnon-verbal cues matter evenmore than verbal ones. So inthose first few minutes, it’sall about smiling confidently,shaking hands firmly, makingeye contact and generallylooking as if you’re glad to bethere and you want the job.Lean in slightly, look alert andinterested, and wait to beinvited to sit down. In everythingyou do, project an attitude ofenergy, enthusiasm and interest.
Make a strong start13 The Complete Interview Guide“I like to make a point of coming downto greet candidates in person. On oneoccasion, a candidate assumed I was anassistant, treated me in a very offhand wayand rather rudely asked me to get them adrink. They got quite a shock when theysaw I was heading up the interview panel!But what most disappointed me was theidea that it’s appropriate to treat staff ofany level in such a way.4. BE READY FOR THE SMALLTALKGetting the small talk right(or wrong) can have bigconsequences. It’s a way forpeople to build rapport andaffinity, and start to generatethat elusive, intangible quality of‘chemistry’ that characterises alleffective business relationships.So as part of your interviewpreparation, it’s a good ideato think ahead to some likelytopics that might come up, tohelp keep the conversationflowing smoothly. The key isto think of some topics whereyou have a shared interest, sothat you’re able to both ask andanswer credible questions.For example, if you see apicture of your interviewer’sfamily, perhaps you could askabout them – and be ready witha family anecdote of your own.Or if you’re a sports fan and youspot signs that your intervieweris too, perhaps you could aska suitable question that you’vealso got an interesting answerto (‘Do you ever get to thematches?’ ‘So who’s going towin the Cup this year?’ etc).Think, too, about topicalthemes. For example, has yourpotential employer been in thenews recently? Or could youask about the potential impacton the company of a recentdevelopment, such as Brexitor falling share prices or aserious malware attack? In eachcase, make sure you have aninteresting thought of your ownto contribute too.“
Make a strong startThe Complete Interview Guide 14career, I’ve developed
services/products sections and note down the key points you learn about the company including its history, vision and mission. Then move on to a web search of the company to find out if it’s been in the news lately. This will ensure you come across as informed and up-to-date with topical issues. It’s also a good idea to know who its competitors are and what differentiates them from other .
