Top Interview Tips from SugarJobs

Telephone Interview

• Ensure that you arrange a specific time to be called by a potential employer and that you know the full name (spelling included) and job title of the employer.  
• Read the job specification carefully before you receive the call and write down a few questions you would like to ask about the potential job.  
• Research the company and read the company news page. For additional information, Google the company name and hiring manager’s name. 
• Source LinkedIn / Facebook / Other Network sites for information about the individual that is going to call you. You may find that you have several things in common, which will help with any small talk – don’t be obvious about the fact that you have researched them personally – they may think you are prying!   
• If you do not receive the call within 10 minutes of the expected time, telephone the employer to see if there is a potential problem and re-arrange another time to accept a call.  
• Make sure you are in a quiet location and if you are expecting the call on your mobile, that you have a good reception.  
• Have your CV to hand in order that you can refer to specific dates and previous job information.   
• Ensure that you have pen and paper to hand - you might be asked to jot down information or you may wish to make notes during the call.   
• If you receive a call at an inconvenient time (in the presence of children, dogs or any other noise or distraction) apologise to your caller for catching you at an awkward time and request a call back or suitable time you can telephone them.  
• Ensure that you have your diary to hand – so that when an interview date is arranged, you can confirm your availability with confidence.  
• If you are asked a question you do not understand, ask that the question is repeated or rephrased. If you still do not understand, say so and ask them what they mean.  
• Answer questions directly and succinctly. If you do not know the answer, don’t make something up or go off on a tangent – just say that you are sorry you do not know the answer.   
• Don’t volunteer any more information than is not requested of you - don’t ramble on about your troubles or give any negative information – that this is not your ideal job but that you are desperate and your children are starving!  
• If the employer asks you if you have any questions, say yes, then ask the questions you jotted down about the job and company earlier.  
• At the end of the call, ask the employer if there is any further information they need.  
• Be confident in asking what the likely process will be if you are shortlisted. 
• Thank the caller for their time and say that you look forward to hearing from them shortly.  

Face-to-Face Interview

• Winning interviews take preparation – so be prepared.  
• Ensure you have the full company name address and your contact’s full name, job title and telephone number.   
• Ring your contact the day before to confirm your interview at check the time.  
• Confirm the format of the interview (who you are likely to meet) and what the dress code should be for interview – there is nothing more embarrassing than turning up suited and booted and your interviewer is casual and in a hard hat. If you are not able to confirm dress-code, then rather be safe than sorry – turn up in a suit.  
• If you are driving - find out if there is parking on site or in the vicinity and make the necessary arrangements.  
• Have an early night before your interview. Check the clothes you are wearing to interview the day before and put your CV, directions / SatNav (make sure it is fully charged) and your paper and pen in a briefcase the night before. 
• Think of all the likely questions you will be asked, including how to answer difficult questions – why you were made redundant and why you have never held down a job for more than 6 months at a time. 
• Avoid eating garlic for a couple of days before your meeting!  
• Have a hearty breakfast on the day so that your tummy does not rumble during the meeting!  
• Make sure you are clean and smart. If you have body piercings and you think they may be offensive, remove them before your interview.  
• Ensure you have clean shoes – and ladies, do not wear heals that you cannot walk in or that are so worn out the leather is curling at the tips!  
• Plan your journey time and leave at least 15 or more minutes for parking, delays, etc.  
• As soon as you arrive at your destination – turn off your mobile phone!  
• If you are a smoker, freshen your breath and if you do use gum, make sure you dispose of it appropriately before you enter the building.  
• When you arrive in reception, have the name and job title of the person you are meeting to hand. 
• If you are to wait in reception for any length of time, look relaxed – read what is on the coffee table.  
• If your hands are sweaty from nerves, ask the receptionist if you can visit the ladies/men’s room to freshen up – wash and dry your hands thoroughly!  
• When your interviewer appears in reception to fetch you, stand up to greet them. Look them in the eye and extend your hand and give a FIRM handshake. Don’t shake their arm off, but do take their whole hand in yours and give a firm squeeze. Nobody likes a wet fish finger shake – your handshake reflects your confidence and integrity. 
• Follow your interviewer to the location of the interview. Compliment them on their lovely offices or such like. If the office building is a tip, don’t lie – think of something else to talk about or stay quiet and wait for them to ask you questions and give positive answers. (If they ask about your journey – say it was easy – even if you were stuck in traffic for two hours and made it in time by the skin of your teeth!    
• When you arrive in the interview room, ask your interviewer where they would like you to sit.  
• If you are offered coffee, tea or water, always accept and be confident how you like it – coffee, 1 sugar and milk please. 
• As soon as you arrive, take out your CV, Paper, Pen, copy of the job specification and any other detail relevant to the meeting and place them on the table in front of you.  
• Look at your interviewer at all times, especially when answering questions – don’t talk to the wall or fiddle with your pen. Make good eye contact. 
• Never lean back and fold your arms. That is a closed pose and indicates that you are uncomfortable, defensive and have something to hide.  
• Appear interested at all times – if your interviewer leans forward, lean forward too – don’t blindly mimic them – your movements should be relaxed and complimentary to what they are doing.  
• Answer each question as succinctly as you can. Don’t go off the subject and if you do not know an answer or understand the question, say so. 
• If you are asked whether you have any questions, ensure you have prepared a few. Enquire about the department, how many people, why they have the job opening, prospects, etc.  
• At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for their time and confirm that they have all the information they need.  
• Ask when you are likely to hear from them as to the outcome of the meeting.  
• When returning to your car, do not light a cigarette or turn on your mobile phone until you are out of sight. 
• When you return home, drop your interviewer an email to say how much you enjoyed meeting them and thank them for their time and the courtesy extended to you during your visit and that you look forward to hearing from them in due course.

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