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**Lewisscott22** · 12 May 2011, 10:28 PM

Re: Interview

To be honest, you sound like someone who knows what you are doing. Your grades are at the acceptable standards. I think you will be fine.

Main Basic stuff: Firm handshake, smile, be honest, maintain eye contact, don't slouch, sell yourself and of course be yourself. What they are looking for is what you described your self as.

This is if you really want to stand out.
-Do some research on the background of the company.
-Find some predicted questions they will ask you and then answer them. (there are some good ones on the site)

Type all of this up on a word document along with some stuff about yourself plus some pictures with an attached Curriculum Vitae and references. If you know the name of the person interviewing you, put their name on the front cover. Make it all nice and fancy and put it in a folder.

So, you go along to your interview and answer all of the questions the last one comes up which is- "Are there any questions you would like to ask me?". My response would be with another question- "Is there anything you are unsure about or anything that needs clarification?" (in other words, "I think I'm an ideal candidate, do you have any doubt as to why I should not be successful?"). If there is any further clarifcation then you can do so, if he/she is sure of everything you are good to go.

So this is the end of the interview, then you bring out this booklet with the guys name on it, you say what it is and explain why you did this- (I did it because I usually never remember the full answers to my questions and if he has this on paper you are giving him/her your best answer).

Say you enjoyed the interview, nice to see them, hand shake again and you leave the building.

So he/she now goes and decides if they are going to offer you a place. Now they will usually judge this form memory or have used a sheet of paper/scoreing system, BUT guess what- you handed them your best possible answers and they can use that to make their decision.

You said you were worried. If you put in this amount of work and hand it to them, they will see that you are committed and that is what they want. Not many other applicants do this, but it certainly worked for me.

I hope I helped.

**stronglead** · 12 May 2011, 10:51 PM

Re: Interview

all i will say is be yourself be confident but not to confident and smile show you want this

**D-Triv** · 12 May 2011, 11:42 PM

Re: Interview

Originally posted by Lewisscott22

Type all of this up on a word document along with some stuff about yourself plus some pictures with an attached Curriculum Vitae and references. If you know the name of the person interviewing you, put their name on the front cover. Make it all nice and fancy and put it in a folder.

I'm personally not too sure about creating that sort of thing for the interview. I suppose it depends on the interview itself. Mine was a very down to earth, enjoyable experience. Very personal, felt more like a nice conversation than an interrogation

As such, I would never have felt that sort of thing necessary. It seems almost clinical, which these sort of interviews shouldn't be. I presume if he/she has gotten to the interview stage, they would, in their application, already have certain "describe yourself" and "why do you want to join" sections filled out, along with references, past employments and schools etc. At the end of the day, I suppose it can't hurt but I wouldn't treat it as something absolutely necessary if you've already covered some of that stuff in the application.

As for tips, be confident, well presented, polite, positive and communicate clearly. Be yourself, don't try to show off or throw a million things at the interviewers face, he/she will know what they're looking for. Make sure you come well prepared with the correct documents (if required) perhaps in some sort of folder to stop them creasing.

Most importantly, be honest. If what you are telling them is 100% true and you haven't polished the truth, then it will show in how you present yourself (you will come across far more relaxed). Remember to enjoy the experience. As nerve racking as some might find interviews, you gain no points for acting scared/nervous. Interviews shouldn't be scary, they should be enjoyable. You've nothing to lose from going to them, you can only gain from the experience.

Good luck, I hope you do well.

Feel free to PM any one of us if you feel like you don't want to post anything public up on the forums. Alternatively, the Anonymous section of the forum is there if you want to ask questions, well, anonymously

**Lewisscott22** · 13 May 2011, 09:15 PM

Re: Interview

I do agree with you D-Triv. I did actually enjoy my interview, it was really fun, but that could be due to all the preparation. Some may see it as going too far and you are right it is not a necessity. However if you want to get a position and there are more applicants than positions you do have to stand out. At my interview they already had the documents as well, but how was I to know if they would have them? So they have your documents on the table and have done their research on you. Do you have their documents and done some research on them? Most likely. Will they ask you if you have? Maybe, but everyone will say yes (unfortunately some are not always honest). It doesn't even have to be used, just having it in my possession calmed me down and if I was in an awkward situation and have a wee look.

So when you walk into the room with that document in your hand it is basically saying- I'm prepared, I have done my homework and I am your ideal candidate. Were as walking in with nothing I think provides uncertainty and room for assumptions.

Some could see it as a bad idea and others could see it as too much, but can you over prepare for and interview? I don't think you can, but I do stand to be corrected.

Like D-Triv said, I do wish you the very best of luck and please do not hesitate to contact any of us if you do require any further information.

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