AEGIS ASPIRE

 

Interview Tips

The inside view on how to ‘sell yourself’ at the interview

Preparation

  • Plan what you’re going to wear – make sure it suits the image of the company
  • Research the company & think about why you want the role and want to work at the organisation
  • Prepare a couple of questions to ask the interviewer
  • Understand the salary package on offer
  • Review your resume & past achievements
  • Plan how you’re going to travel to the interview

Arrival

  • Be on time – 10 mins early is great
  • Smile, make eye contact & firmly shake the interviewer’s hand
  • Remember the interviewer’s name

Interview

Here at Aegis we use behavioural interviewing.

Behavioural questions usually start with “Tell me about a time” or “Describe a time when.”

Sample interview question:

Tell me about a time where you had to complete an important task on time. What steps did you take to ensure it was done?

How to answer behavioural questions:

Break down your response into three parts and answer in the following order:

S = Situation:  Overview of what happened and where you were working

A =Action:       What you did in response to the situation or circumstance

Tip: focus on using ‘I’ in your response e.g. I did this

O=Outcome:   What was the result of your actions?  E.g. The customer sent an email to my manager thanking me for solving their problem

How to prepare your answers in advance

Take the time to sit down and review all the information you have about the role.  Look at the job ad and the job description (if available in advance) and review the key competencies.  Here are some common ones:

  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Commercial Awareness
  • Decision Making
  • Leadership

The next stage is to develop general answers to the key competencies you’ve identified. At your interview you will then adapt what you prepared earlier to answer the question.

For example if you’re interviewing for a management role and leadership is a key competency then prepare an example of a time where you successfully led a team.

Or if you’re interviewing for a customer service role than prepare an example of a time where you have gone the extra mile for a customer.

Interview close

  • Here’s your opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the role by asking additional questions & recapping what you’d bring to the role
  • Ask when you can expect to hear feedback (if not already covered off)
  • Avoid discussing salary at the first interview.  Be honest and open though if the interview asks
  • Leave the interview with a good impression – shake hands, smile (remember you’re still being interviewed)

After the interview – the follow up

  • This is your opportunity to set yourself apart with a quick phone call or email to thank the interviewer for their time (even if you don’t think you got the job)
  • Plan what you’re going to say beforehand e.g. add points you didn’t cover, emphasise what you’d bring to the company

Interviewing pitfalls

  • Arriving a few minutes late and not phoning ahead
  • Wearing inappropriate clothes
  • Being overfriendly/over enthusiastic – just be yourself
  • Not making eye contact
  • Not listening to questions carefully
  • Using ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ when answering questions
  • Being under prepared for questions around why you’re interested in the position and want to work for the company
  • Bad mouthing current or former employers

 Good luck with your next interview!