AUTOMOTIVE PERSONNEL NEWS

Job Interview Tips

Handling Interview Nerves: there is no easy answer to interview nerves but there are techniques that may help.

  1. Having a solid idea of why you would suit the position and what you can offer a potential employer can help build your confidence. If you believe that you are the right candidate then that confidence will be communicated with body language.
  2. Leave plenty of time to get to the interview. Running late ads unnecessary stress to the process.
  3. Dress for success. Putting on a suit and projecting a professional image helps you feel more in control of the situation.
  4. Take a copy of your CV with you for both you and the interviewer to refer to if need be.
  5. Speak slowly and listen to the interviewer, listening is so important in effective communication.
  6. Be honest, If you are very nervous then say to the interviewer something like “I don’t have many interviews because I like to make long term career moves, please excuse me if I come across a bit nervous I am very excited about the opportunity to work with your team”.
  7. Don’t forget that the interviewer may be new to the process as well and may have some nerves, take things slowly and don’t forget to breathe!

Dress Professionally depending on the role that you are applying for. Sales and Management candidates should wear a suit, shirt and tie. Administration candidates and Service & Parts candidates should wear Smart business attire. Shoes should always be clean.

  1. Hair should be neatly groomed and ladies should have their hair tied back off their face.
  2. Nails and teeth should be clean.
  3. Leave plenty of time to get there.
  4. If you are running late due to an unforeseen traffic event for example ring prior to your meeting time, applogise for your delay and try and advise a reasonable time to expect you. If you have been stuck in a traffic jam for 1 hour and haven’t moved, don’t promise to be there in 15 minutes. It is likely you will also miss that deadline. If you are using a recruitment firm and they have set the appointment, ring and advise them and they may liaise with the employer on your behalf.
  5. Take a neat notepad to write down anything you may like to ask. It is not advisable to take a copy of the job advertisment.
  6. Remember the name of the person that you are meeting and their position in the company.
  7. Research the company and the products that they sell. Being prepared and having knowledge about them will show your keenness for the position. Work out relevant questions that you may like to ask based on what you have learnt.

Example Interview Questions:

These questions are to start you thinking about the kinds of questions you might like to ask. The interview is a time to make sure that the company is going to be the right fir for you and that the opportunity matches your career plan.

  • Do you have a performance review structure in place and how is performance measured?
  • What are the key challenges of the role in the short and medium term?
  • I read in (publication name) that (the brand) is currently experiencing (Growth, Re branding, Import issues) what major changes do you see happening over the next 12 months?
  • What are the qualities required as a valued team member?

Never ask a question that you could have researched the answer to and try to steer away from questions that will undermine your commitment to the role like, “How soon can I start taking my annual leave?”

Don’t underestimate the value of listening as a key to success at an interview:

Listening to your interviewer is more important that formulating impressive questions in your mind. Have your questions constructed prior to the interview so you can listen to what you are being told is very important. If you get through to a second interview and you ask a question that you were told the answer to in the first interview, you will most likely be unsuccessful. Most employers prize good listening skills at the top of their most desired attributes in a candidate. So remember the old adage, you’ve got 2 ears and 1 mouth, If you use them in that ratio you can’t go wrong.

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