Recently I had a job interview with a marketing company. This was the second interview I had had with the firm and so was prepared for the questions they were going to ask. I decided to write this post for those of you that may be asked the same style question so that you may be more prepared for a job interview.Some of these questions included:
- If I were to run into a friend of yours at a cafe how would they describe you?
- The theme for a fancy dress party is fantasy, fear and fairytale, what character would you go as?
- Why did you leave your last job?
- Describe a time where you showed your leadership skills, teamwork skills and organisation skills?
- Do you have any major commitments that may affect your ability to perform well when you are working for us?
- Are you available for a follow up interview between [Date] and [Date]?
A lot of the question are very much personality based, the employer wants to know that you will fit in with their company culture can get jobs done and have the personality to work under the job conditions, e.g. if the job has a tendency to be stressful or requires long hours.
Preparation
Before going into a job interview look at the job advertisement again, pick out keyword, think of how you best match these keywords and think of examples where you have displayed these attributes. This will prepare you for any questions that require you to back-up what you have said in your resume or cover letter.
You need to feel comfortable with what you are going to say in the interview. Have a friend or relative prep you on some questions before the day of the interview. The interviewer knows that you are going to be nervous and that you want the job over the other 50 applicants, but also know that they have to pick the best person for the job. You need to make yourself memorable. This means you need to pick appropriate clothing, say the right thing and do not do something inappropriate during the interview.
- When picking what cloths the wear looking at the company colours. Research has shown that if you go to an interview dresses in company colours the interviewer subconsciously looks at you as fitting in with company culture, putting you in a better position than other applicants. Wear something smart, be a little more formal. Suit pants and a shirt if you are a man, or a business skirt or suit pants and a shirt if you are a woman.
- As mentioned earlier, be prepared for some of the interview questions that the interviewer may ask. Get a friend to help you go over some of the questions, write your answers down and go over them on your own. This will improve your speaking skills during the interview and make you more memorable to the interview, which is what you want when they submit their report.
- DO NOT DO SOMETHING INAPPROPRIATE: this category includes not texting during the interview or taking a phone call, turn your phone off before you go in. Don't ask the interviewer on a date, yes they may be good looking but in the end you will only appear to be forward and too keen, not putting you in the probable list, probably just in the bin.
Arrival
Find out where the interview is, how long it'll take you to get there and decide on the most appropriate route. You will then know when to leave home, how your going to get there and how long it will take you to get there. Punctuality is key when arriving for the interview, you may not be remembered for it but you will be if you are late. Also remember to thank the interviewer for their time and hope that you hear from them soon.
Follow up
So you have been to the interview, come back and time goes by you hear nothing. Not an email, not a call, nothing. It may only be a couple of days but remember that they will have a lot of applicants to get through. Follow up with an email asking how it is going and where you application is.
Sample emails could be:
Dear [interviewer name],
I had an interview with you on the [date and time]. I was just following up on how the application is going.
From [name]
Clear, simple and to the point.
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