1. Arrive10-15 minutes early.
2. Greet the interviewer by name.
3. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake to display confidence.
4. Maintain eye contact throughout the interview and project an expression of interest and enthusiasm.
5. Research the company and understand the specifications about the job you are interviewing for.  The  main sources of information about an employer's company are normally:

• The media
• Annual reports / company brochures
• Industry/ trade magazines or journals, such as Australia's Top 500 companies
• The internet
• Industry directories
• Reports from current or ex-employees (use with discretion, ask us why!)

6. Be prepared to state why you might be good for the position.  Indicate how your skills and experience fit well with the position requirements.
7. Think of specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your skills.
8. Give natural, unrehearsed answers.
9. Dress professionally in business attire - appearing presentable makes a good first impression.
10. Prepare several pertinent questions to ask the interviewer.
11. Take your own (brief) notes during the interview (description of job, salary information, issues for questions later on).
12. Smile and be yourself.
13. Thank the interviewer for their time when the interview is completed.

• They haven't witnessed your ability to solve customer's problems, or deal with difficult situations. 

• Even though you may have won ?Employee of the Month? or have received accolades from your previous employers, they just consider you? interview number 3?. 

• They don't really know how they can benefit from the course you've just completed. 

• Visualise being relaxed in an interview and talking about the skills and knowledge you can offer a company.
  

1. Be professional and polite with everyone. When you arrive, state clearly who you are and who you are there to see. Be punctual and prepared.
2. Feel confident about yourself. Knowing that you look good and that you are well prepared will go a long way to boosting your confidence.
3. Smile - it will relax you and make others receptive to what you have to say.
4. Be positive and polite about any delays during the interview, and when answering questions.
5. A firm handshake is essential. Good posture and eye contact will make you appear confident and will help your interviewer to feel comfortable with you.
   
6. Avoid the temptation to be too informal. Even if your interviewer has a relaxed and friendly style, they are still trying to assess you as a potential employee and representative of their company.

 

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Prepare to make a positive first impression!

 

What does your handshake say about you?

 

1.  Find someone who has recruitment or HR experience and who knows what it takes to have a good handshake!   (Someone who you respect and trust).

 

2.  Ask them to do a 'feedback activity'.  Shake their hands and ask for their feedback on what your handshake says in terms of 'body language'.

 

3.  Some handshakes are too soft, some people don't look the other person in the eye when they shake while other handshakes just give a negative first impression.

 

4.  Practice until you have a firm and professional handshake, that you can do with a confident smile. 

 

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Panel Interviews are common in Australia, with these industries tending to use them more than one on one interview formats:

• Business / Executive / Management
• Call Centres
• Automotive
• Electrical Engineering
• Property Construction & Development
• Sales & Business Development
• Nursing

     Most Commonly asked Job Interview Questions

1.       Tell me about yourself.

2.       Why are you applying for this job? / What interests you about our products or services?

3.       What do you wish to gain from this position and why do you want to work here? 

4.       Where do you see yourself in five years?

5.       What have you really enjoyed about your last 2 positions?

6.       Why do you want to change jobs?  / Why should we hire you?

7.       What contributions do you see yourself making to this job/company?

8.       What is your greatest strength? 

9.       What have you achieved that has given you the most satisfaction?

10.    How would your current colleagues / supervisor describe your personality?

11.    Describe a challenging work issue you had to face, and how you dealt with it.

12.    What has been your favourite project or job role so far? Why?

13.    How do you normally handle criticism and/or stress?

14.    Based on your resume and what you've told me, I think you're over-qualified/underqualified for this position.  What do you think?

15.    Tell me about your greatest achievement?

16.    Which jobs /assignments did you enjoy the most? Why?

17.    What are your major weaknesses? What have you done about it?

18.    Describe the biggest problem you've faced in the past year. How did you handle it?

19.    Tell me about an experience in your career that really challenged you?

20.    What have your other jobs taught you?

21.    Why did you choose to study that course?

22.    What do you think determines a person's progress in an organisation?

23.    What does "customer service" mean to you?

Questions for Managerial candidates

1. What is your leadership style?
2. Tell me about a time when you improved business processes to increase efficiencies.
3. What practical experience have you had with risk management and OH&S Management?
4. How do you motivate your staff?
5. Tell me about a time that you have changed the culture within your department?
6. How do you manage performance and improve productivity?
7. What are your key strengths with regards to operational management/
8. Tell me about your last experience with meeting the business goals and vision of your last employer?
9. Tell me about a time that you implemented / managed change?
10. What are the attributes of a good manager?
11. You have an exemplary employee who suddenly starts coming in late. How will you handle this situation?
12. Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult employee.
13. When you are supervising others, how do you motivate them?

1. Delegated a project or job effectively
2. Had to adapt to a new and difficult situation
3. Had to make an unpopular decision
4. Handled a difficult situation with a co-worker
5. Won (or lost) an important contract
6. Made a bad decision
7. Overcame what seemed to be an insurmountable obstacle
8. Persuaded others to follow your suggestion
9. Showed creativity in solving a problem
10. Were disappointed with the way you handled a situation
11. Worked effectively under pressure
12. Anticipated potential problems and developed preventative measures
13. Had to deal with an irate customer
14. Prioritized the elements of a complicated project

 

Bonus Tips

 

 

How to sound impressive when answering job interview questions

 

 The job interview questions listed above are standard questions that employers and recruitment agencies will ask,  so you can plan on how you respond to these questions. 

 

If you can remember a few key points to incorporate into your answers, then you will feel more confident about whatever questions they ask you.  

 

If you keep these points in mind, you won't feel the need to try and memorise rehearsed responses (which always sound rehearsed from the interviewer's point of view).

 

The key points to cover through your answers in Job Interviews:

1. The top 4 skills that this employer would benefit from (refer to their advertisement to see which ones they are seeking).
2. How any courses you have done will be useful in the position.
3. How your experience (including both work and personal) is relevant to the industry and goals of the company.
4. The non-verbal points that you want to demonstrate - through talking to them and communicating through your body language. 

 

While you are answering the questions, think and act like you think the ideal employee would, this could include being:

 

 

Once you have established the key points you need to cover in the interview, you then take a closer look at the list of commonly asked questions.

 

 

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 Prepare to Succeed in your job interview!

 

 

Activity to do:  Mock job interview

 

1. Print the questions below and ask a friend or family member to act like the employer of the job you've applied for. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can then ask for feedback on how you answered the question, and judge whether you are really highlighting your skills, knowledge and personality through your answers.

We offer our expertise by being that person to practice with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Showing that you are a little nervous is completely acceptable; it's when your nervous reactions prevent you from communicating well that it starts to impact on your interview performance.  For example:  forgetting the key points that you wanted to promote in your skills and experiences, or even lying or exaggerating on how much skill and experience you actually have!

One strategy that may help you to  become  less nervous, and more confident, is to prepare yourself:

1. Practice how you are going to answer questions
2. Visualise working in the company
3. Visualise them offering you the job

If you live in Melbourne, we may assist you to benefit from this technique in a one-on-one advanced interview skills workshop.

 

• Red blotchy rash on your neck
• Not listening to the question
• Clammy, sweaty palms of hands
• Shaking leg
• Your eyes show how you feel
• Your body language

Top 5 Job Interview Mistakes 

1. You and your qualifications match up with the position that's open
2. You and your qualifications do not match with the position that's open
3. You feel compatible with the organisation, but not in the position you're interviewing for
4. You do not feel compatible with the organisation or the people who work there

Your answers may include: 

• Friendly environment,
• Well presented staff,
• Professional looking offices,
• Some employees my own age,
• A mentor or role model for a boss,
• Close to home,
• Good pay,
• Normal hours (no weekends)