Getting the job - perfecting your Interview Skills

Our Interviewee Skills one-to-one workshop prepares participants to perform to the best of their abilities in an interview. It focuses on Preparation, Practice, Presentation and Pertinent questions - the "Four Ps".

Participants should be either preparing for specific interview or planning how they will approach interviews in the near future. Their CV or application which was submitted to the prospective employer must be provided to our consultant in advance of the session. This ensures that the half day, one-to-one time is spent focusing on the specific areas of benefit to the participant. Our goal is to help participants to do the best interview they can, putting them in a position to secure the job they want.

The main element of the training is encouraging participants to examine and use their existing skills and experience. They will be encouraged to recognise how much they can contribute to the organisation to which they are applying and how to project this in an interview.

The content will focus on the four Ps of interviewing, Preparation, Practice, Presentation and Pertinent questions.

This will cover examining the position being applied for and matching the candidate’s skills and experience to the new role. Participants will learn how to project themselves and their achievements and show how past performance is an indication of future potential.

Candidates will be cautioned against presenting enthusiastic plans for change or telling people how the organisation could be improved. It will also help them to avoid falling into the trap of making false assumptions about what the interviewers are seeking, to listen attentively and to pick up clues from the interviewer.

We will examine and discuss possible types of questions and how best to approach them. Candidates will practice thinking on their feet and handling behavioural questions. This is not intended to present a one-size-fits-all set of answers, but to identify and highlight the candidates’ strengths and abilities.

This section will stress the importance of dressing appropriately for the position you are applying for, without going over the top. It will also cover body language, eye contact and controlling nerves.

When the interviewer invites questions from the candidates, it is important to have some questions prepared. The interviewer may also ask if the candidates want to add any other information and it is important to have prepared a short response. The course participants will learn to successfully close the interview.

This session will be presented on a one-to-one basis. It will involve role-play, rehearsal and where appropriate, the use of videoing.