HOW TO SUCCEED
IN YOUR JOB
INTERVIEW
LIVE EVENT

How to ensure job interview success
• Part 1: Before your job interview
• Part 2: During your job interview
• Part 3: After your job interview
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INTRODUCTION
Hosted by Chris Dottie MBE
• Managing Director at Hays Spain
• Former President of the British
Chamber of Commerce in Spain
• 24 years’ experience in the
industry
You can access theses slides at
slideshare.net/HaysWorldwide

PART 1:
BEFORE YOUR
JOB INTERVIEW

In order to get yourself interview-ready, you need to research and speak to your recruiter about these four things:
1. THE INDUSTRY
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4. THE ROLE
3. THE INTERVIEWER
2. THE COMPANY
Their LinkedIn profile, search engines, the
company websites, speaking appearances
(try searching YouTube), or ask your recruiter
FIND OUT:
About any recent developments, trends and changes
WHERE CAN I FIND THIS
INFORMATION?
WHERE CAN I FIND THIS
INFORMATION?
WHERE CAN I FIND THIS
INFORMATION?
FIND THE INFORMATION:
On search engines, news stories and company websites
FIND OUT:
The history, mission, values and purpose, customers and culture
FIND THE INFORMATION:
In their annual reports, marketing materials and review sites
FIND OUT:
Who they are, their role, expertise and past experience
FIND THE INFORMATION:
On their LinkedIn profile and speaking appearances on YouTube
FIND OUT:
As much as possible about the role
FIND THE INFORMATION:
In the job description
PART 1: DO YOUR RESEARCH

A key part of getting ready for your interview is preparing how you talk through your ‘story’ so far.
So, how should you structure your introduction?
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I am a business management graduate with a master’s in Digital Marketing. Since leaving university I
have enjoyed a two year marketing career within the sports industry.
I believe that my digital marketing skills are best showcased by an email marketing campaign
I recently led, which increased our conversion rate by 10 per cent.
I’m looking for a more challenging role within a fast-paced global organisation, where there is plenty of
room for me to grow; hence why I was so pleased to be invited to interview for this role.
Talk through your CV in chronological
order – focusing on the roles which are
relevant to this job interview
Keep your language simple, and use
action verbs to showcase your skills
REMEMBER:
PART 1: PLAN HOW YOU WILL
INTRODUCE YOURSELF
EXPLAIN YOUR BACKGROUND
DISCUSS YOUR KEY SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
DESCRIBE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR

PART 1: LEARN HOW TO USE THE
STAR INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE
You may be asked situational and behavioural questions such as:
In order to answer these types of questions, use the STAR technique:
SET THE SITUATION
“Tell me about a time when you supported a colleague who
was struggling”
DESCRIBE YOUR TASK AND INVOLVEMENT
YOUR ACTION
SHOW OFF THE RESULTS
S
A
T
R
“Give me an example of a time where you used a problem-
solving attitude”

PART 1: PLAN YOUR QUESTIONS
TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER
1. THE ROLE
4. LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
5. THE ORGANISATION
6. NEXT STEPS
2. THE TEAM
3. THE HIRING MANAGER
Focus your questioning on these six areas:
• Is there scope for career progression?
• What does a typical day look like?
• How does the team fit into the overall
structure of the company?
• What constitutes success for the
team?
• What’s your background?
• From your perspective, what’s it like to
work here?
• How often would my performance be
reviewed?
• What training opportunities are available?
• What are the main challenges and
opportunities that the business faces?
• How does your organisation live its
purpose?
• What’s the next
step in the hiring
process?

PART 1: YOU ARE ALMOST INTERVIEW-
READY, JUST A FEW FINAL STEPS…
2. THE TEAM
3. THE HIRING MANAGER
Ensure you’re clear on these five practicalities:
WHAT TIME AND WHERE
THE INTERVIEW WILL
TAKE PLACE
WHAT FORMAT THE
INTERVIEW WILL BE
WHAT THE DRESS
CODE IS
THE JOB
DESCRIPTION
HOW LONG THE
INTERVIEW WILL LAST

PART 2:
DURING YOUR
JOB INTERVIEW

PART 2: MAKE THE BEST FIRST
IMPRESSION YOU CAN
It’s essential that you are mindful of making a good first impression. So, on the day of your interview, ensure you:
Refresh your mind of the job description, your CV, and any key notes you’ve made
Be polite to everyone you meet and be your true authentic self
Wait professionally in the reception area or, if it’s an online interview, make sure
you’re logged in the right link
Arrive on time for your interview, whether it’s online or offline. If you are running
late, communicate this with your interviewer or recruiter
CHECKLIST

6. Asking follow-up questions
3. Being mindful of non-verbal communication
2. Remembering your interviewer’s name
PART 2: BUILDING RAPPORT
WITH YOUR INTERVIEWER
1. Smiling
Build a meaningful connection with your interviewer by…
4. Not interrupting the interviewer
5. Starting your answers with positive affirmations
7. Relaxing and being the real you

PART 3:
AFTER YOUR
JOB INTERVIEW

PART 3: WHAT YOU SHOULD AND
SHOULDN’T DO AFTERWARDS
TALK TO YOUR
RECRUITER
STRAIGHT AFTER
THE INTERVIEW
FOLLOW-UP
WITH A THANK
YOU EMAIL
DO DON’T
OVERDRAMATISE
YOUR EMOTIONAL
REACTIONS
LOSE TRACK OF
WHO YOU HAVE
INTERVIEWED WITH
CALL OFF THE
JOB SEARCH
WRITE A
SUMMARY OF
YOUR INTERVIEW
FOR FUTURE
HEADS-UP

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF YOUR
POTENTIAL NEW MANAGER?
PART 3: HOW TO DECIDE IF THIS
IS THE RIGHT JOB FOR YOU
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DO YOU FEEL EXCITED ABOUT THE JOB?
IS THE COMPANY RIGHT FOR YOU?
BALANCE THE PROS AND CONS AGAINST
WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR
Ask yourself these four questions:

JOB INTERVIEW
Q&A

YOUR NEXT
STEPS
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