Interview Structure

Below is a typical interview structure. Not all topics will be covered at every interview, but many will be.

Introduction

• A brief explanation

The interviewer will usually start by explaining the roles and duties of the job and its place within the organisation.

• Exploring the reasons for the application

Relate your answer to the job specification and focus on how you feel your skills and experience match this particular job role. If you feel that you don’t have enough/relevant experience, focus on your desire to gain experience in this area of work and talk about how your personal skills would support this.

Background checks - may cover:

• Skills

Make it clear that you are motivated for the role you are being interviewed for and focus on the skills you have that are relevant to the job. If you feel you don’t have any/enough relevant skills, a good thing to focus on is transferable skills. These are skills that you have used in previous jobs or in life in general that could also be applied to the job you are going for. For a list of transferable skills please click here...

• Experience

Provide an explanation of your previous work experience, provide detailed examples but be careful not to ramble on and ensure you focus on the experience that is relevant to the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a job in an area different to what you have worked in before, talk about the skills you do have that could be used in this particular role.

• Attitudes

It is important to get across that you have a positive, enthusiastic and motivated attitude towards work in general and especially the job you are applying for. Where appropriate, try and match information about your attitudes to your past achievements.

Domestic checks - may cover:

• Health

It is important to be honest about your health to a potential employer – whilst they don’t need to know about a cold or that you had a bit of a sore throat, you should tell them about any significant illnesses, long-term complaints or disabilities you have/have had. If the employer knows about these, they are able to make necessary arrangements for you as well as be aware of any Health & Safety issues that may arise. They may also ask you about time off sick you have had in previous employment. It’s better to be honest and upfront about this as it can always be checked!

• Availability

If you are available to start work any time, should you be offered the job, tell the employer that you are available immediately. If you know you are due to go away somewhere or on holiday, inform them of this and let them know the date you will be back.

• Wages

NEVER ask what the wage/salary is during your interview as this is deemed inappropriate. If the wage/salary was not mentioned in the job advertisement, wait until after the interview has finished and politely mention that you are not yet aware of the rate of pay. The employer should be happy to tell you this or they may say you will be informed if you are offered the job. If you are asked what your ‘salary expectations’ are, it is a good idea to have done some research before the interview into what the pay rate is for people doing the job you are applying for in your region (e.g. West Yorkshire), and use the average as a guide.

• Transport

It is common for employers to ask you if you drive/own a car or what your method of transport is. One of the reasons for this is for them to gain an indication of how punctual you may be when travelling to work every day. Another reason is for the employer to consider the costs you would incur travelling to work. If you are applying for a job in a bar, for example, and would be finishing work late at night, they would have to make arrangements to provide transport home for you.

The Job

• Explanation of job

This will provide a more detailed insight into the duties, responsibilities, training and conditions of the role.

Conclusion

• References
• Potential start date

• Any questions

Asking questions is also a good opportunity to clarify any details you are unsure of, which haven’t been mentioned in the interview. Below we have suggested a list of questions to ask and not to ask during an interview:

• What would be my day-to-day duties in this role?
• What training and development is given to employees?
• What potential do you see in me?
• Why do you think people like working here?
• How would my performance be measured?
• When can I expect to hear from you?
• How much is the wage/salary?
• What does this company do? (This should have already been researched!)
• How long will my lunch break be?
• How much holiday leave would I get?
• How much overtime would I have to work?
• Have I got the job?