Interview Tips

Interview Preparation Guide

Our reputation hinges on putting together well-targeted shortlists of candidates. If you find yourself preparing for an interview with one of our clients you can feel confident that you have a real chance of getting this job.

But now the hard work begins. You can't prepare too much! This interview guide outlines some of the questions you should be ready to answer. It also suggests some questions you ought to be asking, and gives some useful hints on how to make the best first impression.

Feel free to call on us for help in preparing for your interview. We are trained in interview techniques, and we know the people you'll be meeting.

You are now on the way

Congratulations you have now made it to the interview stage. This is when the REAL work begins! It is vital to never underestimate the power of preparation. The first client interview is crucial in terms of making a good impression and this is your chance to impress at an early stage. All Seldon Gill consultants are trained in interviewing techniques and are constantly briefing and debriefing candidates both prior to and following interviews. We are well experienced in the sorts of questions you may be asked and the effect your responses may have. We are able to help you prepare fully for an interview; from providing information on firms/roles to doing full mock interviews with candidates. This document is intended to assist you with the preparation process. Please feel free to contact your consultant for more hints and tips on successful interviewing.

Some of the frequently asked questions:

• Why are you looking to leave your current position?
• What do you enjoy most/least about the work you do?
• What do you know about our firm/client base/this position?
• Why in particular are you interested in this position?
• What do you find most difficult/frustrating about your current position?
• Describe a problem encountered in a project and how you resolved it
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What motivates you?
• What are your short/medium/long term goals?
• What marketing initiatives have you developed/been actively involved in?
• General questions in relation to the legal/accounting/market/current issues

Issues for candidates to raise:

• Professional Development i.e. training courses (internal and external)
• Split of work/where you would fit in to the current structure of the department/organisation
• Whether you would work for a number of partners/areas of specialisation
• Culture/reputation of the department/organisation
• Future plans of the department/organisation and how you could contribute to that
• How has the vacancy arisen – expansion or replacement?
• What plans are there for the growth of the division?
• How is the marketing division perceived by the professionals in the firm?

Remember

• It's vital that you do your homework regarding the firm; know as much as you can about the role too
• Some professional firms are fond of subjecting candidates to several interviews. This can mean that some interviewers may repeat questions already asked in previous interviews, particularly if there are new people in the interview. Whilst this can be frustrating, please do make sure you answer fully every time as each new interview is taken as a fresh experience
• Be very careful not to denigrate your current organisation/partners - it is important to get across the fact that you have good training and experience to date
• Always try to phrase your answers with examples and portray yourself in a positive light
• Acknowledge the firms strengths/attractions and highlight why joining them would make a good career move for you
• Steer away from salary issues and suggest "market rate" if asked about expectations. We will negotiate on your behalf.
• If asked technical questions and you don't know the answers, never guess. Try to handle the questions as if the interviewer was a client.
• Appearance and body language are important – ensure that you are dressed appropriately and remember to make good eye contact with all the interviewers

Interview Dos & Don'ts

As you would expect we hear lots of feedback from the many interviews we arrange between candidates and clients. Whilst we always like to prepare candidates as much as possible in interview techniques we have put together a nifty dos and don'ts list for last minute review.

Do be yourself

Let the interviewers get to know you. As well as making sure of your capabilities, interviewers and finding out if you are the type of person they could work with. If you have a lively and engaging personality this may well be one of the reasons Seldon Gill has put you forward, and we will have told them what to expect. If we prepare them for 'larger than life' and you present as 'life support' then we all have some explaining to do. Similarly if you are naturally serious, don't feel the need to host a one man comedy festival. There is often the opportunity for a little humour, but no-one is expecting to guffaw their way through the hour.

Don't change the 2nd Act

It is always a pity when candidates have done exceptionally well at first interview and then let themselves down at 2nd by resting on their laurels or being overly confident. Remember sometimes the interviewers at 2nd stage may not have met you before, and they may ask repeat questions. Stick to your script, no-one expects a completely different main character in ACT 2 (unless they are Dallas fans and you can pretend the previous you - was all a dream).

Don't get cold feet

Pulling out of an interview because you are not 100% sure that the role or organisation is right for you is a waste of everyone's time. Employers realise that this is a two way process and that you are there just as much to find our about them, as they are about you. We all get ill and emergencies do happen - if this occurs then everyone understands. What employers do not like are candidates pulling out at the last minute due to a change of heart. It is always better to meet with prospective employers - otherwise, you may be missing out on what turns out to be a great career opportunity.

Do sell yourself

The interview is the one opportunity you have to do this. When preparing for the interview also think strategically about when you may get the opportunity to talk about each of your particular selling points. If at the end of the interview you have not had the opportunity then feel free to ask for a moment to convey this at the end of the interview when asked if you have any questions. A word of warning - DON'T be anything but concise in doing so. It's a job interview, not a spot on Oprah!

Do ask (a few) questions

The benefit of this is twofold - finding out as much as you can about the role in order to gauge your level of interest in it, and, demonstrating to the interviewer that you have thought about the role and your understanding of it.

Do ask for the job

If at the end of the interview you really want the job, ask for it. This could be the differentiating factor between you and someone else who is equally qualified. There is nothing more powerful than someone saying "I really want this job and I would love to work here".