Get organised and be prepared
- Be sure you know the time, date and location of the interview and the name of the person you are due to report to.
- Check out how you will get to the location, and when you need to set off to be there in good time - do a practice run if necessary. Plan to get there no earlier than half an hour before the interview time, anticipate delays and check parking arrangements.
- If we have sent you practice test forms, make sure you have completed them and understand the test you will be doing on the day.
- Have what you are going to wear ready in advance.
- We will ask you to bring certificates, and ID to your interview, so get them ready before the day. Take your interview letter with you.
- On arrival ensure the receptionist/administrative staff know you are there, visit the toilets to tidy up etc.
- If you have a permanent or temporary disability or a specific learning disability which might affect access to premises or your ability to take a test, please contact whoever sent you your letter inviting you to attend an interview in advance to ensure appropriate arrangements are made.
If you are well organised and have planned for the day your confidence will increase.
First Impressions
- When you walk through the front door, remember you're already making an impression on your prospective employers.
- Anyone from reception staff to the Head of Department may directly or indirectly influence the final selection of candidates so make sure you are polite to everyone you meet.
- Inside the interview room, you'll be introduced to the other interviewers - look at them when greeting them, smile and carefully remember their names so you can address them throughout the interview.
- If the sun's in your eyes, or the chair is wobbly, say something rather than squirm and fail to concentrate on the interview; competent people find solutions and never settle for second best.
The Interview
- Do gather information about the post before you are interviewed – ask staff within the team or speak to the line manager of the department. Make sure you know what the job entails.
- Remember Hampshire Constabulary is interested in you as a person and your experiences.
- Do take the time to sit down with your application form and the Role Profile and make notes, about your work record, what you've achieved.
- Look at yourself as a person in employment - how do you see yourself, what have you done, what ambitions do you have. Make notes and prepare well.
- Think of example answers you could use based on the competencies from the Role Profile. If you do use the same examples as on your application form, explain them fully as not all of the panel members may have read your application.
A few general rules:
Do...
- Sit comfortably with both feet on the floor, lean slightly towards the interviewer.
- If there's more than one interviewer, look at who is talking but address all interviewers when answering, when you're talking, shift your glance from one to the other.
- Do nod and ‘Mmmm’, to show you're listening to the interviewers. Above all try to be you, try to be natural.
- Speak up when answering questions.
- Listen - sometimes, people get so caught up in their feelings they forget to actually listen to the questions; slowing the pace will help you hear the questions and answer them correctly.
- Answer briefly, but try to avoid yes or no answers.
- Before you respond to more difficult questions, think about your answer and how you want to express them - this will help you speak more confidently.
- If you don’t understand the question you are being asked, ask the panel to clarify.
Don't...
- Don't play with your hair or your hands. Keep them out of pockets!.
- Don't squirm and fidget.
- Don’t use jargon, such as words or abbreviations that are commonly used with your present employer, but don’t mean anything in another workplace.
- Don't worry about admitting you don't know - but keep this to a bare minimum.
- Don't embellish answers or lie! Be as honest as possible.
There is always the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview - remember the interview is a two way process, you need to be sure you want to the role too! Try to concentrate on issues which are important to you, and that will help you analyse whether it is the right job and environment for you.
Write your questions down prior to the interview and take them with you. It is not a good idea to simply have no questions at all. Doing so makes you appear passive rather than curious and interested.
Conclusion
Thank the interviewers for their time when you leave quietly and calmly, and smile. There may be an explanation of how the process will continue - if not, then ask when you should hear back - but don't push - some recruiters will not want to commit themselves to timescales until they have had time to consider all the candidates.
