Interview preparation (attire and preparation)

[sports_brah]

Got a 4hr interview upcoming (group) and was looking for some tips in all walks.

First off clothing. Seeing as its a quite prestigious management job (graduate) I'm taking the line of being suited and booted the whole way. I've got some new shoes today (black jacket/trousers with white shirt and blue/black tie is alright combination?)

In regards hair, I've had a truly awful haircut, but that can't be helped. On the plus side at least it's short, off the neck and ears etc.

Should I be clean shaven? Having grown up with a dad who is quite formal, the default response is just to be clean shaven for everything. Unfortunately, I can't quite pull it off, and look quite young, not a look for the job! Is it appropriate to go with a couple days growth or should I stick with my initial gut feeling?


Getting away from my appearance, does anyone have any tips for preparation? I will be subjected to aptitude tests (numerical, literacy, inductive reasoning etc), along with lots of group work stuff and maybe a one on one.

Any tips and guidance? The job is probably beyond me, but it's an awesome one that I'd love to get through to the next round on!

Thanks!

 

[McGray]

Life, how do I do it.....?

 

[Windle]

Full suit (matched), shirt & tie combo doesn't really matter. Just a decent one colour/striped silk tie and white shirt.

If you don't have a full beard, needs to be clean shaven. Few days growth will just look scruffy/lazy in this instance.

Expect competency based interviewing if there is a one on one interview:

"Can you detail a time when you delivered excellent customer service"
"Can you give me an example of a time you dealt with conflict"

And so on, the actual example you use is mostly irrelevant. The interviewer is merely looking to see how you relate the question to a working experience and how you project that you handled it.

If they're particularly nasty, they might stick in a random question to throw you "A penguin walks into this room wearing sunglasses, what does it say?". The point being to see how you handle something unexpected, again the answer can be mostly irrelevant as long as you can answer quickly and without being shocked. That question was for a Google job if i recall and the correct candidate answered "Where's the sunscreen?" reportedly.

 

[G|mp]

Put a suit on and be clean and smart, I wouldn't go in with a couple of days growth as they are quite likely to think "If he can't even be arsed to shave for an interview, what else can't he be arsed about"

 

[Suarez7]

I remember a 4 hour group interview I had, 4 knockout stages about 30 people, made it to interview and got offered the job, I wouldn't do one again though, sitting around for most of it and the stages seemed pointless for the job title considering 3 of the stages were solo. The first stage was with a group and it basically came down to who spoke the most, I spoke first which probably got me through that stage alone.

The interview process for most companies has became a joke imo, but I guess it's needed with the amount of people applying for 1 position.

 

[Sunbed]

Got a 4hr interview upcoming (group) and was looking for some tips in all walks.

First off clothing. Seeing as its a quite prestigious management job (graduate) I'm taking the line of being suited and booted the whole way. I've got some new shoes today (black jacket/trousers with white shirt and blue/black tie is alright combination?)

Fine.

Should I be clean shaven? Having grown up with a dad who is quite formal, the default response is just to be clean shaven for everything. Unfortunately, I can't quite pull it off, and look quite young, not a look for the job! Is it appropriate to go with a couple days growth or should I stick with my initial gut feeling?

Depends on the sector(?) and whether you can pull the stubble look off. Get a female's opinion. They always know best with these things. It's not a big deal either way (I've asked this of my gf before - she works in HR so she should know). If in doubt, go clean shaven.

Getting away from my appearance, does anyone have any tips for preparation?

Just prepare answers in a STAR format - Google it. Be ready with an example where you challenged someone regarding best practice etc.

 

[Judgeneo]

Black tie with a black suit IMO. Clean shaven.


Talk to everyone pre-interview if possible. Knowing a bit more about the other candidates will allow you to communicate easier and more naturally. Talking to the receptionists, and the people running the days interview will help you be more relaxed in the environment.


Expect lots of competancy based questions - take the STAR approach to answering them. Practise lots of stories in the previous days so you can throw out variants depending on which exact question they ask.

If you are confused, ask for clarity. If they look confused, give extra clarity, as what they don't get.

firm handshakes, eye contact etc. etc. etc. Best of luck!