You’ve got through the application process and you’re one of the lucky few to be shortlisted to the next stage – the interview. Candidates battling for a coveted role will be of a high calibre and competition is fierce.

In the current economic climate, getting a job is proving to be a difficult task for many. With fewer positions, and more candidates applying for each vacant role, proving your ability and that you are the right applicant for the job is more important than ever.

According to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were only 434,000 job vacancies in the UK in August 2009, compared with over 2.4 million people out of work. This year the Trade Union Congress (TUC) revealed that approximately 10 people apply for every advertised role, more than double that of 2008.

Here at ICM, we’ve put together some advice and guidance on how jobseekers can prepare for different professional situations and what they can expect when faced with an interview.

In general, there are two categories an interview can fall into:

Group Interviews

A group interview is when two or more candidates are invited to attend an interview at the same time. This is also known as an assessment centre and they are often used to shortlist candidates. The assessment centre may be a half, full or two-day schedule consisting of a variety of activities.

A group interview helps determine how well individuals can work within a team and on their own, through a variety of tasks set by the interviewer.

During the group interview process you may be asked to perform tasks which could involve you being tested on work-related activities, or perhaps delivering a presentation on a given topic.

Don’t forget, this may be your only opportunity to truly demonstrate your capabilities.

During a group task candidates need to show a capacity to work productively with the team by offering constructive comments, resolving conflicts and making sure everyone in the team participates. It is perceived as better to lead than to follow and individuals should show a willingness to stand out from the group and ask a meaningful question at the first opportunity. However, although the priority is to display leadership potential, being supportive and acting as an effective communicator is also imperative.

Individual Interviews

There are several different styles of individual interview that an organisation may employ; here is a taste of what you could expect: 

One-to-one interview is where you will simply be interviewed by one individual representing the organisation. You should be aware that as there is only one person, it is imperative you take the opportunity of being the sole focus of attention to prove your worth.

A Panel interview is where there are two or more people from the organisation who will conduct the interview. You will usually be informed of this set-up prior to the day, but you shouldn’t let this overly worry you as they generally take the same format as a one-to-one interview. This type is more common as they allow one interviewer to take notes while the other asks questions.

Psychometric tests are being used more and more by organisations in order to gain information about the candidate before the interview. The test simply requires the individual to answer a series of multiple choice questions – there is no wrong answer. The interviewers can then gauge how you may react to certain events or situations and how applicants work in a given team or individually. They are rarely used on their own to assess a candidate.

Telephone interview – this can help when an employer is looking to refine a potential shortlist for face-to-face interviews. For this type of assessment the individual needs to be much more conscious of what they are saying and the tone of what is being said.

Tips to succeed

Here are some suggestions to help you during the interview process:

Active listening

Listen actively to the interviewer and look interested in what is being said. You can do this by making sure you give positive non-verbal feedback by nodding your head in understanding and maintaining eye contact, and try to avoid interrupting the interviewer.

Research the company

Preparation is invaluable; not only will you be prepared for any questions about the organisation, it will also arm you with the information to pose your own questions. This preparation is also essential when thinking about your responses during the interview.

Speak clearly & slowly

Take time to speak clearly and slowly when answering questions. Don’t be afraid to take a few moments to think about your answer to ensure you give a coherent and articulate response. If you need clarification of a question make sure you ask – though avoid doing this too often. By taking your time to provide a response, it also gives you the opportunity to take a breath and think about what you are saying.

Be smart

It is always important to dress for the occasion and most would advise that it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. Your outward appearance will be the first thing an interviewer sees and so you need to make the best first impression you can. A smart suit and tie for men, and a suit/dress for women will guarantee you look professional.

Be confident

A strong handshake can go a long way. By giving the outward appearance of a confident individual, even if you don’t feel so inside, the interviewer will be poised to believe in your assertiveness.

Be on time

Being late for an interview won’t give the best first impression to the prospective employer, especially if you have stated in your CV that time management is one of your strengths! By practising your journey to the interview beforehand you can give yourself the best chance of being on time.

Relax – think about body language

An interview is a stressful occasion for most individuals; a way to relax is to make sure you take slow deep breaths. Body language can be a clear indicator of how you are feeling. By sitting up straight you will have a confident demeanor and your breathing will improve. According to historical research, over 55% of our communication is through our non-verbal actions, so you can see why it is so important to get this one right. The remaining 45% is made up through 38% tone of voice and a mere 7% for the actual words (Mehrabian 1971).

Finally,you should remember to relax and be honest. If a first interview is not successful, it is productive to ask for feedback from the interviewer – this is invaluable in helping to prepare for future interviews.

Good Luck!