Interview Advice

Interview Preparation and Tips

Whether this is your first interview or you’ve been interviewing for years, preparation is the most important part to being successful in achieving a job offer. Swim consultants will have provided you with all the necessary information you will need for your interview, please take the time to review the below points:

Know your CV

You will have been called to the interview as the hiring manger has reviewed your CV detailing your professional qualifications and applicable experience to the role. Read through your CV to refresh your memory about past roles and companies. Interviewers will ask questions regarding your CV, if your answers differ to the information documented on your CV, your credibility may be questioned.

Research the organisation and team

All interviewers will expect an applicant to know basic information about the company and the role for which they are being interviewed. Take the opportunity to review the company’s website.

Be prepared

Make sure you have planned your journey and you leave enough time to allow for parking and arriving at the place where you are being interviewed. Ensure your phone is charged and your car has enough petrol etc. If for any reason, there is a problem regarding transport, you must call your Swim consultant who will immediately advise the client. Even If you are running a few minutes late, contact your Swim consultant to let them know. If you wish to cancel an interview that a consultant has arranged for you, again call as soon as you can so that the client is made aware; never fail to turn up. It is likely that you will be asked questions on current legislation. Please ensure you keep abreast of any current or future changes that may affect the role.

Practice answering common questions

It’s important to prepare responses to standard questions

1. Tell me about yourself
2. Why are you interested in this particular job?
3. What is your knowledge of certain legislation?
4. How has your previous experience prepared you for this position?
5. Tell me about a situation when you had to deal with an emergency?
6. What is your understanding of service delivery?
7. How would you deal with a difficult service user/member of staff?
8. What is your work style?
9. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
10. Where do you see yourself in 2-5 years’ time?

Questions to ask the interviewer

Always have questions to ask. Remember an interview is a two way process and having a couple of key questions to ask at the end of an interview makes an excellent impression.

1. What do they like best about working for this team/organisation?
2. Are there opportunities for professional development?
3. What is the most challenging aspect of this role?

Remember first impressions count

All interviews should be treated as formal and you should attend any interview neatly presented and smartly dressed. Make eye contact and shake the interviewers hand when you meet them.Remember confidence, quality of your presentation and listening to the questions being asked are key to a successful interview.

What to do if you’re running late?

If you are running even a few minutes late, contact your Swim consultant to let them know. If you wish to cancel an interview that a consultant has arranged for you, again call as soon as you can so that the client is made aware, never fail to turn up.

After the interview

As soon as your interview is finished, call your consultant to give them immediate feedback on how you feel the interview went. This will enable us to give your feedback to the client and more importantly gain valuable feedback from how you performed at interview.