Interview Advice

Heidi Bannister

Introductions

• London College of Fashion, Ethel Cox award for student of the year back in 1984.

• 20 years working in cosmetic and toiletries industry in sales, marketing and NPD roles.

• 10 years in recruitment, MD of Arthur Edward since 2002.

• Specifically for cosmetic, toiletry, perfumery and personal care. Multi discipline and multi level.

The Competition

• 1 job advert – 200 responses• relevance• 10 – 20 serious applications• Recruiter meet 6 – 8 people• Company 1st interview 4• Company 2nd interview 2

The Interview

• An interview should be a pleasure not a chore. It is a time for you to find out more about the company and the role you are applying for and for the interviewer to find out about you and your suitability both for the company and the role.

Be Yourself

• You should always be yourself but keep your guard up at all times. Remember that you have control over your mouth and you do not have to say anything you don’t want to, likewise only you can make sure that you do say everything that you do want to.

2 Eyes, 1 Mouth

• Listen very carefully and keep your answers on track. Do not waffle or meander away from the subject of the question. Try to back up any information with relevant examples. It is not enough to say I am confident; you need to illustrate an example that proves you are confident.

The 4 Ps

• Product• Price• Place• Promotion

The 5 Ps or the 7 Ps

• Participation

• People• Process• Physical Evidence

The 7 Ps

• Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance!!

Fail to prepare and Prepare to fail

• Don’t just turn up, do your research, on the company and their people.

• Look on the web and in store at products and brands.

• Prepare some questions, write them down.• Always take paper, pen, calculator, water.

Time keeping

• If you are too early or late this creates a terrible first impression. This is an important meeting put some effort into it. Ideally arrive 10 minutes early and if you are running late call.

Who, what, where, when

• Double check the address, time and names. Take them with you on the day as well as a telephone number.

• Be polite and courteous to the receptionist and anyone else you meet.

Brag Pack

• CV and brag pack.• Build up a brag pack throughout your career.• Examples of work, letters of recommendation

or thanks, references, sales figures.• Actual product, designs, product development

files, pack shots, PR.• Anything that highlights your skills.

The Morning After

• Make sure you have a light meal, no highly spiced or garlic laden foods and no alcohol the night before or on the day of the interview and get a good night’s sleep.

• If you are offered a drink, take water, tea or coffee. Do not accept alcohol or cigarettes as this may give off the wrong impression and might relax you too much.

Verbal and Non Verbal

• 1st Impressions• No likey, no lighty• %• Body, face, hair, clothes, shoes, bag• Body Language• Voice, tone, pitch, speed• The words

1st Impressions

1st Impressions

1st Impressions

1st Impressions

1st Impressions

Handbags and Glad rags

• Smart business dress does not always mean a suit these days, try to do some research, what is the norm for that company.

• Smart but comfortable. • Prepare your clothes and polish your shoes the night before.• Make sure you are spotlessly clean and tidy, especially finger

nails and hair. • Do not wear too much aftershave, fragrance or overpowering

sports rubs. • Brush your teeth, wear moderate make up and understated

jewellery, nothing that could offend.

Body Language

• Arms - crossed• Legs - crossed• Head – nodding• Hands – up, down, twisting• Eyes – right - lying, left – recalling facts • Mouth, SMILE, tight, twisted, chewing, biting• Mirroring

Handshakes

• Practice your handshake and get it right. • A limp handshake appears weak and

disinterested, too firm and enthusiastic appears insincere and aggressive.

• It must be firm and confident.

Eye contact

• Be positive and confident throughout the interview, smile and maintain eye contact.

• In group interviews do not exclude anyone, even if they do not ask any questions, address everyone and make eye contact with everyone.

• SMILE

Interview Styles

• One on one• Panel• Assessment day• Experience based• Competency based• Psychometric , aptitude, verbal, numerical tests• The interviewer?

Introductions & Small Talk

• SMILE• Journey• Weather• Clues• Focus

Experience

• Think about what you have achieved and how it can relate to the workplace.

• School, University, Courses.• What jobs did you do at home.• Weekend, evening, part time or holiday work.• Voluntary Work, LGFB.• Memberships, SCS, CEW.

Competencies

• Motivation & Skills• Organisation, neat, creative chaos, orderly• Work alone, Team work, personable, shy• Disciplined, laid back, flexible, courageous• Tasks, Targets, analytical, persuasive• Admit mistakes, learn and move on• Humour

Common Questions

• Open and closed questions?• Tell me about yourself?• What can you offer this company?• What are you passionate about?• Tell me about a difficult situation?• What conflict have you had in the lab?• Tell me about a time when you could not get something done?• Tell me about building a relationship?• Have you ever influenced others?• Are you hardworking?• Are you creative?• What is your best achievement?• What are you not very proud of?

Do you have any Questions?

• It’s all about Me!• What do you need to know?• Package?• Interest, culture, team, style, history, plans, challenges• Research, ethos, people, charity• Prospects• This role• Why is this a great place to work?

The Elevator Pitch

• Me, myself and I• Ambition, drive, ability• Tone, pitch, speed• Passion• Get their buy in• Beginning, middle & end• Memory

Flattery and Egos

• Even if you are unsure about the company and the position appear keen and interested as well as focused about the direction of your career.

• Match the interviewers style and body language and get them talking about themselves and the business.

Finish Up

• An interview is a sales pitch and you are the product don’t forget to sell yourself and close the sale.

• Don’t leave questions unanswered ask if they have any concerns about your ability to fit in and do the job and cover them again.

• Ask the questions you prepared, tick them off.

Close

• Round up the interview at the end by saying that you are keen, thank them for their time and clarify what happens next.

• If you want the job ask for it!• Thank them for their time.• Shake hands.• SMILE.

2nd Interviews

• Do not worry about repeating yourself.• Everything you did first time around worked –

do it again!• What questions do you have?• How else can you close the deal?• Be positive, close, SMILE!!

Thank You & Role Play

Heidi Bannister