Tips

Melihat Shinjuku
Preparation – extremely important before any interview. Consider the following possible steps:

o Find out about the organisation (from its website, company reports, current employees etc.)
o Think about your experiences and achievements (academic and non-academic) breaking them down into the qualities you demonstrated and the challenges you faced
o Plan answers to some of the questions typically asked at interviews (see below)
o Make sure you know where you’re going so you can arrive with plenty of time to spare

Typical interview questions:

o Why have you applied to us?
o What do you know about our business?
o What qualities/skills do you have which make you suitable?
o If you haven’t graduated, what result are you expecting for your degree?
o Could you explain the details of your project?
o Tell me about your involvement in ... (e.g. a student society)
o I see you have spent a vacation working – what did you learn/achieve?
o Can you provide an example of when you led or worked in a team?
o Please tell me about a time when you were under great pressure? How did you cope? What was the outcome?
o Where do you want to be in five years’ time?

Some interviewers like posing problems, e.g.:

o A person in your team is disrupting production. How would you approach them?
o The quality of a product is causing complaints from some customers. What would you do?

Golden rules for answering interview questions:

o Speak clearly, confidently and slowly
o Don't try to answer a question that you have not understood - ask for clarification
o Talk openly and with enthusiasm about your achievements, but don't overstate them
o Keep your answers relevant to the question
o Don't pretend to know something that you don't
o Try to be yourself. Show sincerity and enthusiasm, but avoid being too serious

Your questions – will to an extent depend on what you’ve already covered in the interview. Here are a few possibilities:

o What training do you offer graduates?
o What would be a typical career pattern for someone entering this career?
o What are the things that you enjoy about working for this company?
o Is it possible to change job roles?
o Are there opportunities to work overseas?
o When can I expect to hear the outcome of this interview?