Interview

Interviews are the most traditional form of assessment. You might have one or more interviews before finally being offered a place on the internship scheme. You might at any one time be interviewed by a single judge or a panel of judges. It is important to recognise that preparation can be done and makes a huge difference. Nobody is naturally amazing at interviewing for every job. Answers have to be practised and researched and technique developed and improved. Because interviews are done face to face there is a lot more to think about and multi-tasking. However, with practice this should become as routine as driving a manual car or walking and using a mobile phone.

The key is to realise what you can improve and the basics do's and dont's. But what are those? Find below the internshipHelp guide to making a great impression during the Interviews.

  1. When you first walk into the interview room, walk in confidently, with your head high, and a pleasant smile on your face. Most interviewers will tell you that they make their decision within the first few seconds of meeting you. So you must look confident and ready when they first see you.

  2. When you greet the interviewers, listen carefully to their names and make a conscious effort to memorise them. When, for example, the interviewer introduce herself as Jane, respond by saying something like ‘Nice to meet you Jane’, making sure to repeat their names. This immediately tells the panel you are a fast learner and interested in them. Throughout the rest of the interview, when you direct your speech to someone, try to use their names as much as possible. You will probably be the only person in every hundred interviewees to do this and it will make you stand out.

  3. When replying to a question, especially a more difficult one, deliberately take 5-10 seconds to think about your answer. Maybe raise your eyes upwards to indicate you are planning an answer and then return your focus to the panel and deliver your answer. This shows the panel you are confident enough to take time to think and mature enough to plan what you are going to say.

  4. A good way to begin a response to a question is to say something like ‘Hmm, yes that is a very interesting question…’ or ‘Aah, thank you for asking that question because…’. This is a next-level response because you are actually evaluating the interviewers themselves. This gives you a degree of authority and also complements the interviewer which will help you be liked.

  5. A good way to take control of an interview is to ask the interviewers as many questions as possible. Make sure it is appropriate though – do not ask the interviewer for ‘an occasion when they have demonstrated leadership’. But for example if they ask you about your hobbies or ambitions in life, you might follow up your reply with something like ‘And what about yourself? – Do you think your job has so far afforded you fulfil your career/personal ambitions?’. This indicates to the interviewer that you are interested in them and hence the company and also gets them talking about themselves so they enjoy the interview more and remember you more fondly. It also kills some time in the interview which can be beneficial. However, when an interviewer is replying to your question, make sure you actually listen and nod along and indicate that you care about their answer.

  6. All the very basics of good body language apply: make good eye contact with each and every member of the panel; use your hands and facial expression to accentuate what you are saying; talk clearly and slowly and audibly; appear ‘bright-eyed’ and interested to everything they ask and tell you.

  7. With regards to content, make sure you keep it varied and when asked to draw upon a past experience, to always use a different example. Repeating a past achievement or experience will bore the interviewer and indicates that you have not lived an interesting enough life or have not thought about your answer carefully enough.

  8. Never end a question or description of a past experience on a negative. If asked to talk about a time when you failed at something, always, always finish your answer by saying what you learnt and how you applied it to the next situation and succeeded magnificently. For example you might say something like ‘I failed my grade 1 violin exam because I was too nervous…But after two months I practiced longer and harder and organised mock exams to get over my nerves and eventually got a distinction’.

  9. Make sure you do prepare actively and exhaustively. Do all the necessary research about the company, interviewers (if you have their names), and the industry – including latest newspaper articles and news events. Make sure you know the inside-outs of your application and CV. Crucially, have a bank of questions to ask at the end. You must ask questions when given the opportunity. Failing to do so shows disinterest and under-preparation. At the same time, do not ask questions for which the answers are already on the company’s website. Be insightful and ask interesting questions which show that you have studied the company in depth.

  10. When the interview finishes, make sure you shake each member of the panel and say something along the lines of ‘Thank you all very much for taking the time to interview me. I really enjoyed meeting and talking with you all and look forward to hearing of your decision’. And make sure you sound genuine. This leaves a wonderful final impression and is a mature way to exit. It also tells the panel that the interview was not too difficult but was in fact so non-unnerving that you actually enjoyed it.