Interview Process

Interviews are two way meetings. Not only are they an opportunity for the interviewer to find out about you and if you are a suitable candidate for the position but they are also an opportunity for you to find out about the company you may work for, the management and if the position will provide you job satisfaction. Think about your skills, qualifications and experience and ensure that you can talk confidently about what is on your CV.

A good starting point is to look up their website and find out about the products and services they offer, the location of the office/s, and the number of employees. Ask the your Redline Consultant if they have any extra information on them.

Research the company, their history, its employees and the company structure. Look out for things like rewards, incentives and benefits. A good way to find update information about a company is to look at their LinkedIn page.

Ask your Redline Consultant what the client’s dress code is. For office work, smart business dress is a must.

As you may be attending an interview in a manufacturing, engineering or technology environment, check with your consultant to see if there is an alternative dress code for particular client interviews.

Always remember that the interview is not just a session to figure out what skills and experience you possess, it’s a chance for you to let your personality show and to prove that you are a good fit for the organisation.

Do not pass up any opportunity for friendly conversation, and be more wary of short and curt answers than loquaciousness.

Have confidence in yourself, believe that you are capable of landing this job. After all, they called you, they decided your resume and cover letter were worthy of an interview.

Practice potential questions and your answers, but also work on building confidence in yourself and having a positive outlook.

If you want a boost of confidence, speak with you Redline Consultant for a few confidence tips.

Listen to what the interviewer or hiring manager is actually saying.

You have to listen with your ears, eyes, and brains to understand what is really being said. Pay attention to the tone of voice of the interviewer, the facial expression and body language because they enable you to interpret what is expected from you. Place yourself in the interviewer’s position, if you were asking the question, what answer would you expect? Active listening enables you to connect with the interviewer and hear what is really being said.

Ask for more information:
When you are actively listening during an employment interview, you will know when you need additional information, or need the question rephrased so that you can effectively answer the question that is being asked. In this situation, you can also reinterpret what you heard so you understand clearly. This will also demonstrate to the interviewer that you are engaged in the conversation.

Maintain eye contact but do not stare. If the interviewer is talking and you want to show that you are actively listening, you need to instigate direct eye contact and maintain it. Moving your head every now and then, such as giving a small nod can help.

Interview body language experts suggest that when you are doing the talking you need to hold eye contact for periods of about 10 seconds before looking away briefly and then re-establishing eye contact. Overusing direct eye contact when you are speaking can come across as lecturing or challenging the interviewer. Typically the listener maintains direct eye contact for longer than the speaker who breaks it off at intervals.

With panel interviews it is best to look at and direct your answer to the person asking the question, with a glance periodically at the other interviewers.

Eye contact is essential interview body language to establish rapport with your interviewer. Not making eye contact makes the interviewer feel disconnected from you. Eye contact should be a positive aspect of interview body language, if it is not used properly however it can quickly become negative.

Speaking in a clear and controlled voice conveys confidence. Avoid speaking in a monotone by varying your tone and pitch, however don't overdo it and come across as overly excited or emotional.

Breathe and pause before answering a question, this gives you time to react in a considered way and it ensures that the interviewer has finished the question.

You should interact with the interviewer as an equal, not a subordinate. Ensure that your voice tone is not apologetic or defensive.

Prepare some questions to ask at the interview. What do you not know about the role or company. Clarify anything you do not understand. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. At the first interview, it would be wise to restrict your questions to the details of the job and the organisation. Salary and benefit discussions are best left until a second interview or a job offer is made.

Make sure you call your Redline Group Recruitment Consultant straight after your interview top let them know how the interview went. Remember, interviewers may have a lot of experience of interviewing, so their advice can be invaluable. It’s also hard to judge your performance objectively – interviewers can do this. They might notice things about your approach that you don’t realise.

At first you might not feel like speaking to one of the interviewers who decided to hire somebody else. It might seem uncomfortable to relive an unsuccessful interview experience. But try to look at things in a different way. Getting feedback isn’t about looking back, it’s about already starting to prepare for your next interview, and using the comments to make sure you do better next time

• Plan carefully. Do you know where you are going and how to get there? Who are you seeing?
• Make sure you know the names of the people who will be interviewing you. Practice saying them if they are difficult to pronounce? If not, ask you Redline Recruitment Consultant
• There’s no such thing as enough preparation for an interview. Find out everything you can about the company and what it makes or does. Look at their website, current news and their social media
• Why does this job exist? What problems will it solve? Why are you needed for this position?
• Remember: employers love experience. Think about what evidence of achievement you can talk about at the interview, rehearse your success and abilities
• Work out what is appropriate in terms of everything you present, including yourself. Look the part, and you will feel it. Dress as if you are already doing the job and talk like you know the job inside out
• Be your own worst interview nightmare. What is the most difficult question you might have to face? Practice the answer. Practice again
• Ask how many others are being interviewed and when they think they will be making hiring decisions
• Smile on exit. Even if you think you are unsuccessful. You don’t know what the hiring manager is thinking. Leave positively and with the best impression, as it can all make a huge difference in your career success