Brotherhood of St Laurence LORD MAYOR'S CHARITABLE FOUNDATION working for everyone www.workingforeveryone.com How-to Guide | Preparing for a job interview Use this guide to help you: · Prepare for different types of job interviews · Understand what an employer will look for in an interview · Prepare materials you can share in an interview · Understand different types of interviews and selection processes Preparing for job interviews is an important part of the job search. To make sure you are well prepared, try to find out who will interview you, what format the interview will take and if there will be any tests or assessments. If tests or assessments will be involved, try to find out what they are for so that you can do some practice before the day of the interview. Interviews can be formal and structured or informal and conversational. They might be face-to-face or over the phone. However, all job interviews are designed to assess three things: EXPERIENCE / Do you have the experience, knowledge and skills to do the job? MOTIVATION / Will you be motivated by the job and stay with the organisation? FIT / Are you going to be a good fit for the team? An interview is also your opportunity to work out whether the organisation is somewhere you would like to work. Have a look at the company's website to Created by the Brotherhood of St Laurence and funded by Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation 1
working for everyone How-to Guide: Preparing for job interviews get to know important information on their business, processes and current staff to help you prepare. What questions to expect Interview opening: Who are you and why are you here? . Be prepared to introduce yourself in 2-3 minutes and talk about relevant work experience, specialist skills, what you enjoy about work and why you have applied for this role . Do your research and ensure you can refer to what you know about the company and the role you are applying for . If a recruiter is interviewing you, be prepared to talk about your work preferences, e.g. the kind of role, company, work environment, management style and salary you are looking for (recruiters do not always have a specific role in mind and could be interviewing you for future roles) · Be short, factual and positive when discussing your reasons for leaving past jobs Questions the interviewer might ask: . Can you tell me a little about yourself? . Why did you leave your last role? · What appeals to you about this role? · What do you know about the role and our company? Interview middle: What motivates you and what will you bring to the role? · Be prepared to discuss your strengths and areas of development (think of your own perspective and also what positive things past managers or peers might say about you as a worker) · Be ready to give examples of work experience similar to the job you are