Interviews: putting would-be retailers to the graduate test
The interview is the beginning of the real business of selection for most employers. They will have weeded out the weak applications and now it’s up to you to confirm the favourable impression you have already made. This may sound daunting but it really shouldn’t be. It’s not just about whether the employer likes you but also whether you would be happy to work for the organisation.
Nearly all interviews are structured around selection criteria to make them as objective as possible. All candidates are asked more or less the same questions and the organisation assesses whether you possess the core competences for the job. To make sure you’ve prepared for these, it’s important to do your research. Start off by reading the job specification carefully and think about how your past experiences fit the skills required so you have specific examples to talk about in an interview.
'Companies are interested to know what you’ve done that you’re proud of and what you’ve learned from any mistakes.'
Companies are interested to know what you’ve done that you’re proud of and what you’ve learned from any mistakes. Don’t stop there – in addition to analysing yourself, you need to do some thorough research on the company – it will help to show that you’re really interested.
Go in with a positive attitude
Your attitude is also important when it comes to the interview. Enthusiasm, a positive outlook and honesty are always the best policies. It’s not easy to act natural when you’re going for a job, but at the end of the day there’s no point in trying to be someone you’re not, so try to relax and be yourself. Occasionally you will open the door to discover two or more people waiting to interview you. Don’t panic – panel interviews are often easier and sometimes fairer than normal one-to-one interviews, as the more people there are the more of a chance you’ll have to impress someone. This form of interview can also be used at assessment centres.
Phone interviews are a method used by some organisations before a face-to-face interview. You should prepare for these in the same way as a normal interview. Keep all the important details to hand – your CV or application form, the name or names of the interviewers and the job description. Be animated and enthusiastic in the way you talk and use your voice to make an impact. At the same time, it’s important to remain professional and credible.
Recruiter tips on answering interview questions
It’s really important to me how a candidate answers an interview question. When I ask ‘Can you give me an example of a time when you provided excellent customer service?’, I am looking for an answer that is rich in detail: I want to hear specifics. I want to be able to see the candidate in that exact situation so I can work out whether they would fit as a management trainee. It’s also important to try to build rapport in the interview to show your communication skills, because many retail roles involve communicating with people all day.
It’s a good idea to think about what you’d like to learn from the interview before you go in. Find out what the training will be about – you need to know what you will learn in your first year. Ask about career prospects: where can you go from this position? What makes people stay with the company and what makes them leave?
Donna Miller is European HR director for Enterprise Rent-A-Car.