Overview

Interviews can be nerve-racking and can take place in a variety of different styles. After your CV, the interview is the second stage of your personal public relations campaign, and you must plan every aspect to stand the best chance of getting that sales job.

This section aims to break down interviews into key features and offers the best interview tips to help have a successful interview.

Always remember that the key to a successful interview is:

• Preparation
• Practice
• Performance

What Influences the Interviewer?

The more you know about how you will be perceived, the more you can prepare. From a survey of recruiters, the qualities that influenced them were, in priority:

• Your personality, how you present yourself in the interview
• Your experience
• The qualifications you have for the position
• Your background and references
• The enthusiasm you have towards the organisation and position.

Types of Interview

There are different types of interview formats. Ensure you know what type of interview you will be having.

Telephone Interviews - make sure you have your CV, your diary and a pen and paper handy and that you are free from distractions. You will feel more confident if you are standing.

Panel Interviews - you will be interviewed by several people. Direct your answers to the chairperson unless asked a question by another member of the panel.

Assessment Centres - this can involve a wide range of tests and exercises. The interviewer will be looking for personality traits and how you relate to others.

Interview Dos and Dont's

Do:

• Answer the question that is asked and do not volunteer irrelevant information.
• Keep your answer concise and concentrate on the facts not opinions.
• Speak clearly and confidently and do not allow yourself to be discouraged.
• Constantly remind yourself that you have something to sell and focus on how you can make a positive contribution in the role.

Don't:

• Try to be too clever.
• Lie, pretend or give evasive answers.
• Lose your temper, get flustered, panic.
• Criticise your former employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now consider some of these frequently asked interview questions.

• Tell me about yourself.
• Tell me about your current / most recent position.
• Why are you looking for this change?
• What functions and tasks do you enjoy the most in you current role?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What can you bring to this position?
• Where do you see yourself in five years time?
• What was your last manager like?
• What is the biggest challenge you've faced so far?
• How would your colleagues describe you?

Think of answers to the above questions and practice your responses with a friend / family member. Make sure you keep your answers concise and relevant and refer to the Dos and Don'ts checklist for more help.

Now think of some questions that you may ask the interviewer and practise them.

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