Job interviews
Watch graduate job interview videos direct on your PC!
Don't miss...
- Watch graduates in genuine interviews, and see employer feedback. To watch the videos login to UDo and click on "Careers" tab.
- The top five tricky graduate job interview questions answered
- FREE Interview Skills iPhone app from Barclays Capital
Getting an interview is an achievement in itself. Good preparation is essential.
Before your interview you can speak to a Careers Adviser for help. You can also discuss your feedback with them after your interview.
Preparing for interviews
- Know yourself - Re-read your application form or CV. Try to anticipate any interview questions which will arise.
- Know the job - Re-read all the job information you have been given.
- Know the organisation - Remind yourself why you are interested in this career and this employer. Enthusiasm for both will be very important at interview
Prospects and Targetjobs both have useful advice and information about interview techniques.
- Panel interviews - Generally consist of three or four people. Concentrate on addressing your answer to the person who asked the question, but include all the others with occasional glances.
- One to one interviews
- Assessment centres - These vary between organisations and can be between half a day and several days in length. They may include any combination of group work, presentations, interviews, role play and psychometric and skills assessment.
- Telephone interviews - Especially common for sales-related jobs where verbal communication skills are paramount. Increasingly used by other employers as a preliminary screening for all kinds of jobs.
Your interview may include a presentation, task or group work. Find out about interview tests and exercises and try a practice in-tray exercise.
After your interview
If they do not contact you when they said they would, or it has been more than two weeks, ring to check when you will hear from them.
If you don't get the job contact the interviewer and ask for feedback. Reflect on the feedback and identify areas for improvement and work on ways of improving these.
Going to interviews can be a challenging experience. Why not meet a careers adviser to get some encouragement and help with preparation?
