Interview best - Second chance to make a first impression
Over the years we've answered your concerns about interviews. The good news is that after 6 years' in online recruitment we've got some tried and tested sound bites for you.
FAQs
I'm very keen to join a particular company in the media business. However, when I went in for an interview they said I would have to do unpaid work experience for months before I had a hope of getting a full time job. Should I bother?
Before agreeing to unpaid experience with an employer check exactly what the deal is. Request a written job description stating how long the work experience period would last, whether expenses would be paid and whether there would be any guarantees of paid work in the future. Secondly, weigh up how important specific experience is for your career. A more challenging role for a less well-known company may be better for your CV.
I went for an interview where I was told how much I'd be earning if I got the job - a really good pay package. But when I started work it was a lot less than agreed. What should I do?
Hopefully the agreed pay was written down in the job description perhaps? Take this up with your line manager and also check your employment contract.
What's the best way to research companies?
Visit the company's website and check out their latest news; in the
About Us,
Careers, and
Media or
Press Centre sections of the website. You'll get an insight into the corporate culture of the organisation from doing this. Client case studies will highlight the company's products, services and customer service and tell you how the company is valued by consumers or users.
If you are struggling to find the information you require or are going for an interview at a smaller (SME) business then why not call the company direct and ask them to point you in the right direction.
Are there typical questions I should expect to be asked at a graduate entry interview?
Interviewing styles vary from interviewer to interviewer but there are some typical questions which you should be ready to answer. The most common of these are:
- Tell us about something that you are proud of and why?
- Tell us about something that you could have done better and why?
- How would your friends describe you?
- What motivated you in your dissertation/final project choice?
- What will you bring to the company if you get the job?
- Why do you want this job?
Do you have a checklist of interview do's and don'ts?
Do
- Arrive in good time for interview, preferably 10 minutes before
- Shake hands in a firm manner and smile. This will put you and the interviewer at ease
- Don't slouch and try not to fidget. Keep your hands at or below elbow level
- Maintaining eye contact is polite and shows confidence. If you are being interviewed by a panel direct your answers at all of the panel members starting with the interviewer that asked the question
- Call the interviewers by their names
- Speak clearly
- Find out when you will get feedback from the interviewer
Don't
- Waffle
- Repeat the question back at the interviewer
- Criticise a former employer or colleague
- Be argumentative
- Discuss salaries until a job offer has been made
What should I wear to an interview?
Be sympathetic to the organisation that you are hoping to join in what you wear. If you are interviewing for a job with an international merchant bank wear a suit. If you are interviewing for a Children's TV presenter role dress as if you were going clubbing.
I'm applying for lots of jobs at the moment. What's the best way for me to keep track?
If you have a
Jobseeker Profile with totaljobs we will keep a record for you of all of the jobs that you have applied for. For the other jobs print out or photocopy the job advertisement.
Help! I always freeze during interviews.
The more nervous you are the more uptight you get and so it goes on. To overcome this you'll need two patient friends and a video camera. Practice your interviews with one friend playing the interviewer and the other friend videoing the session. Ask the interviewer to read the job advertisement and your CV and then to set you some questions. Get them to include some tough questions e.g. What are your weaknesses, why do you want the job. Don't discuss the format of the interview, it's better if you're surprised. Then watch the video and you'll naturally self-critique. Try it again and again until you're happy.
How do I know how much I should get paid?
When you first start work it can be tough to know what sort of salary you should be offered. There are lots of easy ways for you to check market rates of pay online. You can check our
salary checker or do a job search and compare jobs looking at salary and benefits.
I've been invited to a graduate assessment centre. What advice do you have for me?
These are increasingly common amongst employers. Your personality, what motivates you and your attitudes will be assessed along with aptitude and in some cases specific skills. Assessment centres are designed to see how you will function in different situations but there isn't necessarily a right or wrong way, it's most important to be yourself. Do your homework on the organisation so that you know what they value and are able to reflect that.
For interview WOWs and OWWs see also: Grads speak and Business gurus.
