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An interview is the final step between you securing your dream job. There are many types of interviews, from the free flowing to the formal. The one type of interview that you are likely to come up against at some point is the competency based interview.
They’re designed to make the job application process as objective as possible, removing any conscious or subconscious bias by the interviewer by asking each candidate the same questions. Some people feel this type of interview is more stilted – there can be less opportunity to build rapport. However, they are very common, especially in large organizations and the public sector, so it’s worth refining your technique.
Arcon Recruitment are here to ensure that you are fully prepared without best interview tips for a successful interview.
During your Job Search, you may come across a specific job that catches your attention. Perhaps the roles description sounds like it would be a good fit for you and your career path goals.
The first thing you should do is ensure that your CV is tailored to the requirements of the job listing and then send them a copy of your Resume. Once your application process is complete, the company may respond to you by giving you a date for a job interview.
Before attending the interview it is crucial to know as much information about the business as possible. Your potential employer often requires you to know information about the aspects of the company prior to the interview process. Often you may be asked what information you know about the company during the interview process. Always ensure you fully do your research on the company before the interview.
Upon arrival at your job interview, ensure that you have brought a copy of the CV and Cover Letter you applied to the role with. Be punctual, but not too early. Arrive with plenty of time before the interview to make sure you make a good impression on the potential employer.
When you are called to enter the room for the interview, always ensure you are polite to the interviewer, present a smile and share their hand. Sit across from the interviewer and ensure that you are presenting good body language. Body language is an important indicator of your comfort, confidence and interest for interviewers. Be aware of your body language in your next interview to make the best possible impression.
The common interview questions will be driven by a competency framework that’s required for the job. For example, a marketing executive may require problem-solving skills, or a job in customer services may require conflict management skills.
Typical interviews tend to start with a variation of questions such as: “Tell me about a time when…“. This may sound simple, but in the heat of the interview it’s easy to give an unstructured answer, miss out key details, or let the story peter to a halt.
A candidate for a marketing executive role might be asked “Tell me about a time that you solved a problem to a tight timescale.” Here’s how you could structure your response:
There are a few things to note with this response. It’s important to speak in specific rather than general terms and quantify your success. In this example, we mentioned 30 delegates, and quantified two contacts converted to clients. From a listener’s perspective, this makes the story more interesting and they are more able to gauge your success.
Undefined successes can make the answer less feel less convincing. Secondly, as there are likely to be many questions and interviewers have short attention spans, it’s important to keep your answers concise: convey the maximum achievement in the minimum time. Finally, it’s important to finish on a positive note so the overall impression is strong.
In a second example, a candidate for a customer services role is asked: “Describe a situation when you had to deliver excellent customer service following a complaint”
Want to get the best CV Template to secure your interview? Visit our CV Template page, where we cover all aspects of your CV to ensure you get the correct structure and content to secure more interviews!
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