Interview advice

Rockford Recruitment consultants will brief you as much as possible on interviews and job descriptions but to get the most out of the process through which we will guide you, it is best that you also do some research yourself. Below is some advice on how to go about this.

Preparing for the interview

• Research the company – look at their website, google them for press releases or any other useful information
• Read the job description carefully and think of ways that your experience would benefit the company and where the challenges would lie for you
• Think of questions you might be asked and how you might answer them (See below: ‘Questions you may be asked’)
• Think about how you can add value to the company in question – what you have to offer and how you will reward their investment in you. Think about the skills required for the job and your specific, measurable achievements in each area – this is the evidence the interviewer will be looking for to show that you can do the job
• Prepare questions to ask at the interview (see below: ‘Questions you might want to ask’)
• Think about what to wear. If in doubt, dress formally rather than casually
• Whatever you decide to wear, look smart and well presented. If female, don’t wear too much make-up, and keep jewellery down to a minimum (whatever your gender!)

Questions you may be asked

• What do you know about us?
• What attracted you to this position?
• Why are you leaving your present job? (NEVER be negative about your last role)
• Why were you in your previous job for such a short/long time?
• What were your major achievements in your last job?
• What do you look for in a manager?
• Which adjectives best describe your personality?
• What do you enjoy most about your current job?
• What kind of decisions do you find the most difficult?
• What do you like about the hospitality industry?
• What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
• How do you motivate people?
• What motivates you?
• What would your colleagues say about you?
• What annoys you?
• Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Questions you might want to ask

• How will you assess my performance?
• Are you growing – is that why you are recruiting? (positive questioning at all times)
• What are the long-term opportunities for promotion?
• What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
• How does the role fit into the organization as a whole?

During the interview

Punctuality

• Allow plenty of time to get to the interview. Aim to arrive with ten minutes to spare
• Make sure you know where the interview is and how you are going to get there. If possible, visit the venue before the day of your interview
• If you do find yourself delayed, notify the company immediately giving your apologies and your estimated time of arrival

Presentation and conduct

• First impressions last. Be friendly, alert and enthusiastic. Remember to smile and give a firm handshake at introductions
• Make sure you know the names of the people you are meeting and their positions within the company
• Try to be as relaxed and confident as possible. The interviewer(s) will expect to see your smartest, most professional side during this meeting
• Maintain a high level of eye contact throughout
• Be positive and honest. Again, NEVER be negative about your last role
• Remember that it is often the candidate who has shown the most interest that will be successful
• Think about the questions before answering. Give clear, concise answers – don’t waffle
• Be yourself!

Useful hints

• By all means ask about career progression, but do not allow your enthusiasm for future roles to outweigh that for the position currently being offered. Employers don’t want to hear that you will be moving on in six months
• It is best not to ask detailed questions about terms and conditions. These will be clarified at the offer stage
• If the interviewer opens a discussion about salary, indicate a range rather than a specific salary so that your options remain open for negotiation at a later stage