2. BeforePreparation, Research and Presentation.
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
DuringArrival, Types of Questions, Your Questions
After Feedback
Welcome to the Deverell Smith Guide to Interviews.
The guide is made up of three parts – before, during and after the interview to take you step by step through everything you need to know
and prepare before your interview.
3. Preparation
Read the job description and your CV
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
1. Carefully read the job description before the interview, paying particular attention to the responsibilities and requirements detailed.
Think of examples of how these correspond to your experience.
2. It is common practice for the employer to want to talk through your CV. Take time to go through your CV step by step to recollect your
previous roles and experience.
3. For each of your previous roles try to think of at least one example of how the skills or experience you gained can be applied to this
current role. Ensure you can answer technical questions that might arise from reviewing your CV.
4. Be prepared to explain your reasons for leaving each role. Keep your answers concise try not to over explain.
4. Research
Display knowledge of the company
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
There are many resources online that will provide you with information you will require.
1. The company website – today a company website is window into a their culture and expertise. Read the about us and services pages in depth. Pay attention to the
tone of voice and language used on their website.
2. News – search the company name in Google News and trade news websites, look at their press releases on their website. The company’s latest news is a good
source of information about their achievements and plans. This is something you can refer to and ask questions about in the interview.
3. Social media – Look at the business pages on LinkedIn, Facebook, Google + and Twitter. You can search your network connections to see if you have a contact
who work for the company. You can look up your interviewer and even see if you have any mutual business links. Following the company on social media will help
you keep up to date with the current events.
Prepare a list of questions to ask about the company. Plan talking points about the company to fill any silences. Don’t forget to prepare the
reasons for why you would want to work for the company and why you are the best candidate for the role.
5. Presentation
First impressions count
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
1. You must be professionally dressed and punctual.
2. Plan your journey, ensure you have at least 15 minutes to spare and you have checked alternative routes in case there is a delay.
3. Do not smoke prior to the interview.
6. Arrival
Greeting your interviewers
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
1. Arrive on time and prepared with a notebook, pen, extra copies of your CV and any supporting documents or examples of your work.
2. Remember to turn your mobile off.
3. When you greet the employers shake their hand firmly, make eye and make a note of their names. Throughout the interview
remember to smile, make eye contact and check your body language. Don’t sit with your arms crossed. Note your interviewer’s body
language and try to mirror them.
4. On your way to the interview room make light conversation keeping the content neutral.
5. Talking can be thirsty work, if you are offered a drink we would advise a glass of water.
7. Open-ended
The who, what, how, where and will
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
These questions are designed to encourage you to open up and talk about yourself and provide additional information .
• Tell me abut yourself ?
• What have been your biggest achievements to date?
• Why are you looking to leave your current job?
This is where you take the opportunity to talk about your career history and experience. Keep your answers concise, recent and relevant.
Don’t run down your current employers. Try to correspond your skills with the job description
8. Competency
Proving you have the skills and experience
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
These questions are designed to measure your competency for the particular skills within the role.
• Tell me about a time when you have…dealt with a difficult situation/dealt with change?
• Describe an example of….effective communication/team working?
• Tell us about an occasion when you had to….deal with a difficult situation/problem solve?
To answer this type of question follow the STAR method :
Situation - describe the situation or problem that you have encountered.
Task - describe the task that the situation required or your ideas for resolving the problem.
Action - describe the action you took, obstacles that you had to overcome.
Results - highlight the outcomes achieved and what you learnt
9. Difficult
Talking about your weaknesses
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
These questions are designed to see how you will react to being put on the spot and to probe your self-awareness.
Examples include:
• What is your biggest weakness?
• Describe your biggest failure?
• What kind of situation do you find most difficult?
The worst thing you can do is act flustered, like a rabbit in the headlights and not answer these type of questions. Relax and answer them
honestly. If you have to highlight a negative about yourself explain how you overcome and learn from this, turn the negative into a positive.
10. Your Questions
Always have questions prepared
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
Remember an interview is a two way street, you need to make sure the company and role is right for you. Asking the right questions can
help you to determine this. At the end of the interview is a good time to ask questions as well as affirming your interest in the role and
thanking them for their time.
Try not to ask questions that you could easily answer yourself if you looked at their website. Only ask if you are genuinely interested.
Avoid talking about salary, these negotiations will come later. Thought provoking, intelligent questions include:
• I read a news story about the possible expansion/opening in ___. I wondered what factors are under consideration for this decision and what impact that might
have on the role.
• What are the companies biggest strengths and weaknesses compared to your competitors?
• How will my performance be measured and by whom?
.
11. Feedback
Call your consultant at Deverell Smith
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
Ensure you provide prompt feedback. The quicker you are at giving feedback the faster Deverell Smith will be able to contact the client
and provide feedback back to you.
Don’t be afraid to be completely honest. Feedback is a crucial learning aspect for you, the employer and Deverell Smith. Whether it is
negative or positive it is constructive information that should be taken on board for future interviews.
12. Contact Us
Deverell Smith’s Guide to Interview
Deverell Smith
Centre Point
103 New Oxford Street
WC1A 1DD
+44 (0)207 291 0900
info@deverellsmith.com
www.deverellsmith.com
