Candidate Tips

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Interview Tips & Pointers

Here at Flowers Associates, we feel it is important to provide each candidate with sufficient tools to succeed in attaining that dream job. Essentially, your interview is your opportunity to excel and beat off the competition.

The information below will hopefully provide you with the tips and advice that is proven during our years of experience within recruitment to be invaluable when preparing and conducting an interview well. Please read on to discover how to ensure your next interview is a successful one!

Be Prepared:

Always be well informed about the company and the role. Know why you want the job and why you want to work for your prospective employer.

• Know the job spec inside out
• Consult your agent, Know the expectations
• Don't just look at the internet. Call your prospective employer and ask them about the history, what the company does and the company values.
• Know exactly what the role will bring to you
• Know exactly what you will bring to the role
• Know exactly why you want the job

The Interview:

Your prospective employer will be interviewing you to ascertain ability and personality. Your interviewee will be less likely to hire you if they don't have sufficient information to make the right decision. Therefore, the key is to offer as much info as possible in a concise, warm and assertive manner.

• Always give examples to back up theoretical answers
• Know your strengths and where you have demonstrated them
• Know your ONE weakness and how you ensure to overcome it
• Always prepare on what questions you expect, then prepare your answers geared to the job spec
• Don't be afraid to take a notebook and pen with you to take notes

The following are common interview questions that you will be asked:

• What do you feel you have done particularly well in your job? In what areas have you achieved the greatest success? Why do you think this is?
• What kind of people do you find most difficult to work with? Why?
• Do you prefer to work alone or in a group?
• Have you ever had to manage or supervise others? Give examples.
• In your previous job, what kind of pressures did you encounter?
• What did you find most difficult about your last role?
• Why do you want to leave your present job?
• What are you looking for in a company?
• What are your salary expectations at the moment? And five years from now?
• What do you see as your best qualities?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Do you consider yourself a self-starter? If so, explain why.
• Are you a good communicator?
• How do you schedule your time? Are you good at setting priorities?
• What is the toughest decision you have had to make while at your present company? Tell me about it. What alternatives did you consider?
• What are your standards of success in your job?
• Give some instances in which you have anticipated problems or influenced new direction.
• How do you work under pressure?

Ask Your Own Questions:

Never leave an interview with not having asked at least three questions. This is your opportunity to interview your prospective employer, remember they are also looking to beat off the competition. "You've covered everything" will never impress or suffice. Remember, you need to stand out from the competition. If you go in with ten questions written down that you want to ask, it is unlikely that your prospective employer would have covered all of them during the interview. Below are some example questions that you can ask.

• How has the company grown / developed over the past few years?
• How does the company plan to grow in the next few years?
• Who are the company's main competitors? Ask about the competitive environment and the industry sector generally.
• Who's who in the management structure of the company?
• Ask for more details on the company's products, especially if they are complex or numerous;
• Ask about the working environment and company culture, i.e. is it team based or are there flat reporting structures etc.?
• What are the position's main goals and responsibilities?
• How are these goals measured and what resources are available to ensure they're met?
• What is the reporting structure in the department, and to whom will you report?
• What are the computer / business systems used for the position?
• How many people will you be working with in the company / department?