by Chris Jones of The Display Centre
What do you generally look for in applicants when they come in for an interview?
I want to see that the applicant values timeliness, presentation and preparation because these speak volumes about their character. By all means arrive early in the locality to reduce the risk of being delayed. It is good practice to be a little early (e.g. 10 mins) to the interview but not much more as it is inconvenient for the interviewer. Dress smartly (clean shoes, smart/tidy hair, well pressed clothes) in working attire rather than the sort of outfit that would be worn to a nightclub.
Indeed, the key point here is that you are dressing to persuade someone, who is probably from a different generation, that you are serious and sensible. Preparation is important because it shows that you are interested and confirms your attitude. I don’t expect you to be an expert on my business but if you can’t be bothered to spend a few hours on my website thinking about my company you are insufficiently interested. So, do your research, brainstorm with friends and think about some good issues.
What do you expect applicants to know before the interview?
Notwithstanding pre-interview research, the only knowledge which I expect is that which your CV and Covering Letter has suggested to me. If your CV tells me that you have been reading business books for many years and have learnt a lot from them, then I am going to expect you to be able to demonstrate it. Remember that the interview is all about convincing me that you can make a difference to my business. So someone who considers themselves to be an expert (as many do!) and then can’t think through a basic question is going to ‘crash and burn’.
Whenever I interview someone I look through their CV and Covering Letter to find the subjects that they should be comfortable talking about. So if you mention something then make sure you can back it up. Oh, and by the way, if you are good at something then mention it so that you will get a chance to talk about it.
What are your main questions to ask in an interview?
- How did you prepare for this interview?
- What particular part of the job advert attracted you?
- How did you tailor your CV and covering letter to suit the advertisement?
- Tell me what you know about my company.
- Why have you applied for this job?
- What is important to you in a job?
- What do your parents do for a living?
- How do you spend your time?
- How would you convince colleagues on Day One, Minute One that you are a hard worker?
- If I asked you to charter a corporate jet for a trip next week where, would you start?
- What is profit?
- Explain to me the standards that you live by.
What do you want to gain from a conversation with the candidate?
Simply to understand whether they have the right attitude and enthusiasm. I want to recruit people who will make a difference and I need to be able to justify my decision to the rest of my team.
What questions would you hope candidates ask you in an interview?
- If I am successful, how will I know if I am doing a good job?
- Who in the team would be a good role model for me, and why?
- What bits of my application did you like, and what could I have done better?
- What books would you suggest that I could read to further myself?
- Can I come and work for you for a week, unpaid, to prove to you the difference I can make?
What questions should candidates never ask?
No question is out of bounds as far as I am concerned, BUT candidates need to consider the impression a question might create. So, there is nothing wrong with clarifying working hours, as long as you don’t create the impression that you hope to do as little as possible.
Has anything outstanding ever happened in an interview that has made you hire there and then?
Yes! When someone sends me a CV and covering letter which excites me and then proves at interview to be exactly ‘as advertised’.
What is the interview dress code?
Tidy, smart and well groomed. Dressed for business rather than a night out.
If someone is not interested in their appearance, then they probably don’t care about the image that they create.
Is there anything unique involved in your interview process?
Lack of experience does not make any difference. I would prefer to employ someone who is open minded and a quick learner than someone who has been doing the job for a long time.
Can you name something that people should never do in an interview but often do?
Don’t talk to me as if I am a friend – so, don’t call me ‘mate’. Never, ever, say something that you can’t substantiate, and if you lie I WILL catch you out! Don’t use time as an excuse as there are 24 hours in every day. Don’t use any language that would not be acceptable in the presence of your Granny.
Any other interview advice you would like to share that hasn’t been covered in the Q&A so far?
Don’t worry about being nervous – we all are, and it shows that you care. If asked a question that you don’t know then say so, then proceed to work it through out loud with the interviewer.
