Top Language Jobs FREE Interview Tips
Interview Advice to help you get the job you want
Do you find it difficult to sell yourself effectively at interview? or are you unsure what to expect during the interview process? Top Language Jobs has teamed up with CV Master Careers to help you. On this page we have provided some basic pointers to help you improve your interview performance. If you would like personalised help with your interview technique contact CV Master Careers on 0845 003 9557 or see our Interview Coaching page for further details.
Below you will find; Interview tips, a guide to answering 3 of the most commonly asked interview questions and a list of practice interview questions.
CV Master Careers are the official Interview Advisors to Top Language Jobs.
All tips on this page are taken from the ‘CV Master Careers Ultimate Interview Guide' - Available to download for £3.99
The 'Ultimate Interview Guide' contains detailed information on how to improve every aspect of your interview performance including; the different types of interviews you may face, how to answer tough interview questions (including competency based questions), body language and what to wear.
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Interview Tips
These are basic interview tips, but sometimes the simplest tasks can be the most difficult! Make sure that you stand out for the right reasons
The Obvious
Be on time
It is so simple yet so difficult! Be kind to yourself; get everything ready the night before. Plan your route and try to arrive early. If you are super-organised you could try going to the interview venue the day before to ensure that you know exactly where you are going. If this is not possible consider using a route planner or map service such as Multimap @ www.multimap.com. If you are using public transport make sure you leave in plenty of time, allowing for any delays.
Be prepared
Have a copy of your CV to hand; make sure it is the same copy you sent to the interviewers. Go over your CV the night before so that you can be prepared to back up any statements. Take any supporting documentation with you. Prepare some answers to commonly asked interview questions. Some example questions with directions on how to answer them can be found here.
Smile
If you are nervous it will show but a genuine smile will demonstrate that you are friendly and relax you. Remember that the interviewer may well be nervous as well. Be positive and the nerves will melt away. Fake it until you make it!
Wear appropriate clothing
Each industry sector has its own style of dress. Be observant and try to fit in to your environment. Visit beforehand if this will help you. If it is raining, take an umbrella. It is the small touches that will make you stand out from the competition.
Know your Industry
Ensure that you keep up to date with recent developments and news items. If possible give examples relevant to topical issues in response to questions. Most sectors have websites and newsletters or will add you to their mailing list. Show that you have a keen interest in what you are doing.
Some companies will even offer to e-mail you vacancies as soon as they come up, so you can be first to apply.
The Not So Obvious
Be personable
It is important to be friendly open and try and make a good impression on the interviewer. You are trying to demonstrate that you can integrate into their working environment. Therefore it helps if they think you will fit in to the existing team.
Make good eye contact
This is important as this will ensure that you make a good impression. This can be especially difficult if there is more than one interviewer, such as during panel interviews. You can practice with friends if you find this hard.
Assess the company
Don't forget to try to establish if you would be happy to work for the company. Be honest with yourself - ask questions if you need to. Do not allow yourself to become overawed by the process; it is your life and you need to make an informed decision. Try to find out as much about the company as you can beforehand, some research is better than none. If you are serious, companies often give out copies of their annual report or it may be available online.
Be relevant
Think very carefully before you answer any interview questions. Make sure you know what is being asked before answering. Try to give recent examples to demonstrate your skills to any questions asked; do not rush your answers. If you need professional help with your interview technique please click here for details of our interview coaching service or call us on 0845 003 9557.
And finally.....
Don't worry; just do your best; that is all anyone can do! It is a learning experience, so evaluate your performance.
Interview Resources | Click here to view a range of free online interview resources
How To Answer Interview Questions
To help overcome interview nerves, we advise that you think about how you will answer interview questions. You can practice exactly what you are going to say, before you have to say it to a potential employer, in an interview.
These questions are suitable for you to practice and prepare for any formal situation where you may be asked about yourself. Go through the questions and decide exactly how you will answer them. It maybe helpful to try rehearsing your answers with friends or family. Simply by just thinking about how you would answer interview questions, you will become more familiar with your own skills. You will also be more prepared to demonstrate how you can benefit an employer. We have provided these examples together with suggestions on how they can be answered. Consider how you would answer each of these, in an interview setting.
If you would like professional help with your interview performance try our Interview Coaching service.
"Can you tell me all about yourself?"
What they are looking for;
The interviewer is trying to gain a picture of you and your experience. They may also be asking you give them a broad overview of your work experience, education, skills and professional achievements. Brevity is key. Always try to be conscious of the interviewer's time, especially if they have more interviews planned. Try your best not to bore them!
How to answer;
Make sure that your answers are initially short; you can always expand further if necessary. When explaining your experience, try to relate it to the job on offer. It is more important to show that you understand what will be expected of you than to brag about your achievements. Always try to be relevant and sell your skills by using recent examples.
Extra tip;
Demonstrate to the interviewer the contributions you could make to the company. Give them a reason to hire YOU.
"Why do you want to work here?"
What they are looking for;
This question is designed to search out your motivations for applying for that position. They may also be evaluating how much research you have completed on the role and the company. If you have completed your research, demonstrate it.
How to answer;
It is important to answer with enthusiasm and in a thoughtful manner. It is your chance to express your interest in the company to the interviewer. Explain exactly what attracted you to the role from your own research. Be prepared to describe and fully communicate what you have learned about the job, the company and the industry as a whole.
Extra tip;
Try to identify precisely what it is that excites you about the job. Passion is a significant, valuable and rare attribute.
"What are your ambitions?"
What they are looking for;
Here the interviewer wants to know if your future plans are compatible with the company's goals. Let them know that you are ambitious enough to have given some consideration to your career progression. Try to be modest and realistic.
How to answer;
If appropriate, share your goals with the interviewer. It may be important to see if they are happy to support you in your future plans. If you plan to study, be prepared to discuss the merits of your course to your employer. Many companies will be happy to provide training, funding or time off to attend further education if they can see how it will benefit them.
Extra tip;
Tell the interviewer if you have a desire to learn more skills and develop the ones you have. Share any key goals that you have set yourself and be specific about how you intend to meet them. Discuss any research you have completed.
For professional interview help try our Interview Coaching Service. Call 0845 003 9557 or click here for details.
Commonly Asked Interview Questions
We all get nervous before an interview, but there are easy practical ways to enhance your performance. The most important tip that we can give you to help you with your interview is practice, practice and more practice!
Here is a list of job interview questions that you can rehearse to prepare you for any interview. Try to answer a few, so that you improve your performance. They are arranged by question subject. Also included are some questions you may be asked to help demonstrate the skills you have. There are also some real life miscellaneous questions, which may well crop up, so be prepared! The more you practice the more fluent your answers will be in the real situation.
Your Education & Qualifications
• How do you think your education has prepared you for this position?
• Why did you choose your degree or college course?
• Do you plan to continue your education?
• What qualifications do you have that are relevant to this position?
Your Skills & Competencies
• What new skills have you developed recently?
• What skills do you have which are relevant to this post?
• What competencies do you think are important for this job?
• What skills would you most like to acquire/develop?
• What specific skills acquired or used in previous jobs relate to this position?
Your Career Goals
• What are your future plans?
• How will you achieve success?
• How will this job fit in your career plans?
• What do you expect from this job?
• What position would you ultimately like to achieve?
Your Work Experience
• How does your previous experience relate to this position?
• How have your previous jobs prepared you for this position?
• Have you been responsible for the supervision of others?
• Have you ever been responsible for the training of others?
• Have you ever been required to administer disciplinary action?
N.B. If this is to be your first job, then say so and try to relate the question to other activities you have undertaken, such as projects or organising a trip, caring for a child, etc...
Miscellaneous
• What has been your greatest accomplishment?
• What has been your biggest failure?
• What is important to you in a job?
• What motivates you in your work?
• What have you been doing since your last job?
Demonstrative
• Give an example of a time you have had to think on your feet.
• Give me an example from a previous job where you have shown initiative.
• Describe an occasion when you have used your negotiation skills to resolve a problem.
• Describe a time when you have had to use your communication skills.
• Give me an example of a time you have had to motivate others.
• Describe a time when you have had to motivate yourself.
