Not everyone has lots of interview experience under their belt. There are people out there in their 10th, 20th and even 30th year of employment who have never been formally interviewed. Every interview is different, but if you’re prepared for a formal interview, you’ll have all the tools you need to put your best foot forward. This article is all about the basics, with a focus on interview preparation.
Research, research, research
Ultimately, doing your homework will prevent you from asking obvious and naive questions. Find out as much as you can about the company, the structure of the dealership and the person you are being interviewed by. Ask your recruitment consultant questions, and spend some time on the company website.
Anticipate typical questions
Know your strengths and weaknesses. Be able to discuss your weaknesses in a positive light and sell yourself. You should also be able to explain why you’d like to work for the dealer, and what you can bring to the organisation. Not everyone will ask every single interview question out there but being prepared is essential. Answering questions under pressure is much more difficult if you’re ill-prepared. Remember to also have some questions of your own prepared. If you have nothing to ask, let them know that they’re answered the questions you had.
Finish strong
Be gracious and confident. Clarify what the next steps will be and send a thank you email off to the interviewer within 24 hours. Finish with a firm handshake and eye contact, thanking the interviewer for their time.
These are just some simple and basic tips to get you started. For more information on interviews and additional hints and tips, take a look at these other articles we’ve written.
