Interviews: Towards the end

• You may also be asked about your hobbies and spare time. This is where a little creativity helps. If your favourite thing to do at night is down 10 shots of Jagermeister, you may want to cover this by saying that you “frequently enjoy the local nightlife and culture.” However, if you’ve got more noble, hobbies, make sure you highlight them. The interviewer is merely trying to suss out if you would fit into the company community.

• Similarly, they might throw a random question at you such as “What are the real names of the Spice Girls?’ or some such nonsense. This is usually designed to see how you deal with the situation and whether you can think on your feet (or sitting on your butt).

• Nearing the finish of your interview, you may be asked if you have any questions. Answering “No” is not acceptable. This is a great time to impress everyone with your research and prep skills. A few good questions to ask include asking about who you might be reporting to and working with, if you will be trained, how you might be monitored, what the corporate culture is like and whether the company is working on any new and exciting businesses.

• It is okay to ask about salary, but do it in a subtle and appropriate manner, and save it for one of your last questions. You do not want your interviewer to get the impression that you are only interested in the job for the money.

• At the end of the interview, ask about what comes next, i.e. when you can expect to hear back from them. Make a note of this date and follow up with them then by phoning or sending an email to politely enquire if there’s been any progress in the selection process.

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