Are you ready for the interview?

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If you've been in your current role for some time you're probably out of touch with current interviewing techniques and a bit rusty sitting in front of an interviewer. Find below a comprehensive candidate check-list which tells you how to prepare, what questions to expect and how to conduct yourself during the interview.

  • Find out about the company
  • What are its products or services
  • How big is the company?
  • Who are its competitors?

Aside from the information your agency can provide, you should do your own research from company literature, online searches etc.

Find out about the structure of the interview

Pick out your skills or achievements that are directly relevant and rehearse these ahead of the interview. Find opportunities to sell yourself, relating your skills to the role you are applying for.

Most interviews follow a similar format:

  • Questions based on your CV to explain your career path and ambitions;
  • Rehearse skills and achievements that are directly relevant;
  • Be prepared to explain any unusual parts of your CV, such as any long periods of time taken out for education or travelling etc
  • General questions about you
  • How much do you know about this position?
  • What interests you about the job?
  • What experience or skills do you have that makes you right for this job?
  • Tell me about/why did you leave your last contract?
  • What interests you about this company?
  • When have you had the opportunity to show initiative?
  • Who and what were you responsible for at your last job?
  • Give an example of when you coped well under pressure?
  • Do you prefer to work as an individual or as part of a team?
  • What are your three biggest achievements so far in your career?
  • What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses?
  • What are your long term goals? How are you going to succeed in achieving them?
  • Are you considering any other roles?
  • Telling you about the company and position
  • Which department the vacancy is in and how that fits within the company
  • Who you would be working for and with
  • Your questions
  • Asking relevant questions shows you are interested, organised and able to plan ahead.
  • Rate and benefits are important, but a client will be more impressed if you ask questions about the company, the department and the role first.
  • Good questions to ask are about any training opportunities, who you will report to and who you will be working with.
  • Informing you of the next stage of the process and when you will hear if you have been successful
  • Whether there is a second or third round of interviews.
  • Find out the details of the interview
  • What is the date, time and location?
  • Allow plenty of time for travel, aim to arrive at least 10 minutes early.
  • If you are held up, phone ahead and let them know.
  • If possible, do a trial run (check timetables or parking availability).
  • Ensure your personal welfare ( If the interview is not held either at the employer's office or your agent's office, ensure it is in a public place, eg, a hotel foyer - and liaise with your consultant in any situation in which you are not comfortable.)
  • Who will be interviewing you?
  • Be prepared for the possibility of a panel interview. In a panel interview, answer questions looking from one interviewer to another.
  • How should you dress?
  • First impressions are important! Dress suitably, be well-groomed and wear something you are comfortable in. Your consultant can advise if you are unsure.
  • What should you take?
  • Copy of current CV.
  • Relevant certificates and references.
  • Notepad and pen.
  • Questions to ask the interviewer.

If you want to take notes during the interview do make sure that the interviewer is OK with this.

During the Interview

  • Conduct
  • Switch off your mobile.
  • Shake the interviewer's hand firmly when he/she offers.
  • Take the lead from the interviewer.
  • Don't sit down until you are asked.
  • Look alert and sit upright, eye contact is important.
  • Be yourself/honest.
  • Answering questions
  • Listen carefully, concentrate and don't interrupt.
  • Show interest.
  • Talk slowly and clearly.
  • Keep your answers clear and to the point
  • Take time if necessary before answering a question or ask for clarification if you are unsure of the meaning.
  • Don't be afraid to admit if you can't answer the question.
  • Don't criticise your current employer, or reveal confidential/controlled information/documentation.
  • Find opportunities to sell yourself, relating your skills to the job.
  • Asking questions
  • Make questions relevant.
  • Show that you have researched the company by the questions you ask.
  • Ask about training, team involvement, technology, etc.
  • Leave questions about rate and benefits until a later stage of interviewing.
  • Ask when you will be given a decision.
  • Save a pertinent question until the end.
  • Before the interview ends, do say if you haven't had the opportunity to put a point across or to ask a question. Finally, say if you are interested in the contract and thank the interviewer for seeing you.
  • After the interview
  • Please call your consultant as soon as possible with your feedback.

Careers advice kindly provided by www.technojobs.co.uk. The UK's largest specialist site with more than 20,000 IT and technical jobs.

You may also find the following useful:

Thinking of contracting for the first time
Limited or Umbrella Company can't decide
SJD's Accountancy Service for Contractors and Freelancers.
Step-by-step Guide to Contracting through your own Limited Company.

SJD Accountancy

SJD Accountancy are the UK's largest specialist provider of fixed fee, limited company accountancy services to contractors; we've been acting for contractors across the UK since 1992 and have more than 11,000 clients.

We are the only National specialist firm of accountants with offices in all major UK cities so you’ll never be far from your accountant. SJD also have more qualified staff than any other firm in our market with qualifications from the following major tax and accountancy bodies - ATII, ATT, ACCA, CA, ACA, FCCA, ACMA. You’ll also be pleased to know that we are one of the lowest priced as well.

SJD have also won every relevant industry award possible, including:

  • Best Contractor Accountants - Contractor UK 2011 - 2007
  • Accountant of the Year - The British Accountancy Awards 2011
  • Best Professional Team of the Year - UK Customer Experience Award 2011
  • Customer Commitment Award - Institute of Customer Service 2011
  • National Chamber of Commerce Award 2010
  • Medium firm of the Year - Finalist Accountancy Age 2010
  • Excellence in Customer Service - Finalists National Customer Service Awards 2009
  • Sunday Times Best Small Companies - Award 2009 - 2007
  • Small firm of the Year - Accountancy Age 2007 & 2004 and finalists in 2010 and all years since 2003
  • Deemed PCG accredited accountants and fully MSC compliant

We offer all clients:

Free face-to-face meetings. This is another unique service, only SJD offers free face to face meetings - tax is complicated and sometimes only a meeting will do.
Unlimited access to your own dedicated accountant. No call centres, no outsourcing, no automated call handling. Simply telephone, e-mail or meet your own dedicated accountant face to face.
Money back service guarantee. All your telephone calls and e-mails will be answered the same day or we will refund your monthly fee's.
Outstanding reputation. We have won more awards for customer service and accountancy excellence than any other firm in our market.
All inclusive low cost monthly package which includes completion of accounts, payroll bureau, dividends and corporation tax computations, personal taxation, free bookkeeping software, unlimited access to your accountant and all company returns.

All this for a fixed monthly fee of £110 plus VAT, which is one of the lowest prices in the market. And most importantly, in a recent survey 98% of our clients rated SJD as 'better than other accountants' - we are working hard to convince the other 2%!

If you have any question about contracting or would like any further advice please either contact your SJD Accountant or call our new client services helpdesk on 0500 152500 / 01442 275789 or e-mail nikki.hanlon@sjdaccountancy.com.

Appoint SJD Accountancy and never worry about your tax or accountancy affairs again!

You may also find the following pages, guides and case studies useful:

Take home pay calculator - How much could you be taking home
Contractor FAQ - All your frequently asked questions and their answers
First time Contracting or Freelancing? - A summary of the alternatives along with pros and cons
Choosing an accountant - For a full review
Step-by-step Guide to Contracting - Download a FREE copy of our guide
Limited or Umbrella? Can't decide? - We help you decide which is best for you
Guide to Contracting - All the best guides to contracting in one place
Expenses Guide - Know exactly what you can claim
Umbrella company guide - Everything you ever wanted to know about umbrella company services
IR35 Guide - A great plain English guide to IR35.

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