8 The interview

Interviews remain the most common method of filling vacancies. There are several types of interview that you may be asked to attend:

• Face-to-face: this is the most common, and can be in the form of a one-to-one meeting or there may be a sequence of interviews, each with a different member of staff.
• Telephone: these are as formal as face-to-face interviews, so you need to be well prepared.
• Panel: you will meet several interviewers in one interview. It is important to maintain eye contact with the person speaking to you. Try not to be put off by panel members making notes as you speak.
• Competency-based: interviewers ask you questions relating to the skills and competencies needed for the job. You therefore need to know what they are, and have prepared some examples from your experiences to demonstrate them.