Recruitment specialists remind candidates to do their homework

The interview forms a very important part of the recruitment process as it allows the employer to identify whether a person who appears to be a good candidate on paper will actually meet their needs. Recruitment consultants, Carlton Resource Solutions, are reminding candidates of the importance of making sure that they are prepared for interview.

Joanne Golder, Commercial Recruitment Consultant of Carlton Resource Solutions comments, ìJust turning up for an interview is not enough; even in a buoyant economic climate the job market is competitive and for candidates to stand out from the crowd they need to do their homework and prepare for the interview.

ìNot only will doing research prior to attending an interview mean that the candidate shows that they have a genuine interest in the position that they are being considered for, it should also help them to feel more confident in the interview.î

Joanne has these tips for preparing for interviews:

Research
According to Joanne you should have carried out some preliminary research about the company prior to submitting an application and the research needed before the interview is a slightly more in depth version of this.

ìThere are several ways of finding information out about a company. If there is time you can call their reception and ask them to send out some company literature. Many firms now have websites so you can find out a lot of information by searching on the internet.

ìIf you happen to know someone who works at the company then it is also worthwhile having a chat with them to get a general overview of the company.î

Revision
Before you attend the interview you should look over the job description and person specification for the position. ìRevisiting the job details will enable you to refresh your mind as to the type of skills and attributes that the company is looking for. You should also look over your CV or application form so that you know what information the interviewer has about you. Try to think about it from the interviewerís perspective and think about how your skills and experience make you a good match for the position.î

You should also consider what questions the interviewer might ask you. According to Joanne a common interview question is ëwhat are your weak points?í ìThis can be a difficult question to answer but the best thing to do is prepare your response in advance. For example if you do not have knowledge of a particular IT package which you know you would be expected to use you could mention this but also say that that you are a quick learner and are keen to develop your skills.î

Donít be late
Arriving in good time for any appointment is good manners; for an interview it is vital.

Joanne suggests, ìWhere possible you should visit the interview location ahead of schedule so that you can be sure of where you are going and how long it will take you to get there. You should make a note of the time, date and location of the interview along with the name of the person you need to ask for on arrival and take it with you on the day ñ this way any last minute nerves wonít result in you not being able to remember who to ask for or where you need to be.î

Questions
At the end of most interviews you will be asked whether you have any questions for the interviewer. ìFor many people this is the time when the only thing they can think of is ëhow many holidays will I getí. When doing research prior to the interview you should make a note of any questions that you think of, such as ëwhat are the opportunities for progressioní or ëis there a structured training and development programme in placeí. By making a note of your questions and taking the piece of paper to the interview you should not be at a loss when it comes to your turn to ask the questions.î

Joanne adds, ìFailing to prepare for an interview could be the difference between succeeding and failing. It is important that candidates are able to set themselves apart from the other candidates and show why they think that they are the right person for the job.î

Established in Aberdeen in 1981, Carlton Resource Solutions (Carlton) has grown and developed to cover all geographic regions through itís operational hubs in Aberdeen and London. Recruiting for a wide range of technical and non-technical opportunities, Carlton matches candidates to employers across the full spectrum of occupations in the accountancy and finance, commercial, HR and training, industrial, information technology, technical and engineering disciplines, in both public sector and other corporate environments. Carlton recruits for permanent, contract or temporary placements. With plans at an advanced stage to open offices in Calgary and the Middle East, Carlton will indeed be recognised as a truly global recruitment provider. For more information call 01224 594893 or visit www.carltonrs.com.