Interview tips
Job interviews
If you've done your preparation you should be able to go into a job interview full of confidence. But what will happen when you get in there and what how should you act?
A job interview can be a horrible, stressful, awkward experience. Most people dread them and just want to get the whole thing over with as quickly as possible. But it needn't be that way. The job interview is your chance to show people who you are and what you're capable of and should be seen as the last furlong in a long race to a new job.
Clothes and appearance
What you wear says a lot about you. A job interview, however, is a time for your experience, skills and qualifications to speak for you, not your clothes. Wear something conservative, smart and clean. It sounds obvious, but wash your hair and trim your nails. Women shouldn't wear too much makeup or jewellery and men should probably wear neither if they can help it. When it comes to choosing your clothes you should also disregard the type of establishment the interview is for - you should dress just as smartly for an interview at a fast-food joint as you would for a Park Lane hotel.
Remember that the entire point is to impress your interviewer and before you meet them you don't know what they're like or what their tastes and sensibilities are. They are judging you from the moment you walk in the door so don't let your appearance get you off on the wrong footing.
Often in the hospitality industry, an interview might involve a meal or a drink. You may be asked to comment on the way the restaurant is run or what you might do differently with the menu or service etc. In other words, even though you're eating you will still be expected to talk and that can be hard if you've got a mouthful of spaghetti. Choose your food with this in mind, eat with small mouthfuls so you can answer any questions quickly and not spit half the main course over your interviewer. Of course, a long chew and swallow can let you think of a good answer to a tricky question. Avoid foods that might spill or splatter all over your nice clean white shirt or blouse.
Also avoid drinking anything alcoholic, even if you're offered wine during the meal. Just one glass of wine can really affect your flow of speech and thought, especially if you're nervous.
Take some good mental notes about your stay, especially if it's in the hotel you hope to work in. Good and bad points could be valuable nuggets of information to bring up if you get called back for a second interview.
Questions for you
There are obviously an infinite number of questions you could be asked in an interview, and there will always be some interviewers who will pride themselves on asking awkward questions to catch out the unsuspecting interviewee. However, with a bit of forethought you can probably come up with a few general questions that have a high probability of being asked and prepare answers for them. For example:
What do you know about our company?
Can you tell us about the job you have now?
What makes you want to leave?
Why do you want this job in particular?
What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Do you work well in a team?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
There are also industry specific questions that might pop up depending on the job you're applying for. For example:
Do you belong to any organisations or associations?
What experience have you had with training staff?
Do you manage a budget? How well do you keep to it?
How do you deal with an unsatisfied customer?
How have you directly contributed to the revenue in your current business?
Questions for them
The questions you ask your interviewer can say as much about you as your answers to theirs. They can not only show that you have researched their company but also that you have a genuine interest in the job and what it entails. For example:
Why is the job vacant? Is there an expansion?
What kind of team would I have?
Would I be responsible for a budget? How much?
How is performance measured?
What would be the most challenging part of the job?
What are the company's future plans? Restructure? Refurbishment?
After it's all over
Once you've done that final handshake and walked away it's tempting to just sit and wait to see what happens. However if you think the interview went really well then send off a quick note to say thanks within a couple of days. Don't be too gushing but say how much you enjoyed the chance to see their hotel, for instance, that you look forward to hearing from them and if they need any more information they can contact you.
The job interview need only be a harrowing gesture if you let it. Prepare yourself well, know what you're going to say and look the part. If you do all those things your confidence will be so high that half the battle will be won before you even step in the door.
