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Interview Tips
Essentials
- First impressions count, so dress smartly. Always try to wear a suit, and try to keep jewellery to a minimum
- Be punctual, and arrive in plenty of time for your interview
- Plan your route to the venue, and you may find it beneficial to download a map from the internet
Before your interview
- Conduct some independent research on the company prior to your interview to establish their main products and services, and their position within the travel industry
- Visit the company website to update yourself on any recent news and developments
- Thoroughly read through your CV, as this will enable you to demonstrate your core skills and achievements which could be of benefit to the company
- Familiarise yourself with the job spec, and try to relate skills from your current role with the role you are being interviewed for
- Try to maintain eye contact with the interviewer to demonstrate your interest and professionalism. However do not stare
- Watch your posture, and sit up-right. Remember, leaning forward can be intimidating, and leaning back can be too relaxed
- Try to be confident and enthusiastic, but not cocky
- Try to smile as if you are enjoying your interview, even if you are extremely nervous
- Try to be friendly and courteous to everyone you meet throughout your interview, and try to maintain an air of professionalism at all times
Interview Process
Always be prepared for a ‘formal’ interview, and try to carry out as much research in advance as possible. Remember, the more preparation your do, the more confident you will feel about your interview. This will certainly be evident to you prospective employer.A typical interview will cover your employment history, your current role, what you enjoy about your current role, reasons for leaving, and aspirations for the future. In this instance, try to demonstrate all of your previous travel industry experience, and try to link in this experience to the role you are interviewing for. And remember never to bad mouth your previous employers, as this would demonstrate a lack of professionalism.
Other generic questions could include:
- What do you know about the company, and why do you want to work for the company?
- What do you understand about the role (from the job spec), and why does this role appeal to you?
In addition to the above questioning, prospective employers may also cover some competency-based questions as per below
Competency-based questions
This questioning technique, similar to role-play’s, are used to help you demonstrate your previous travel industry experience, and help determine how you would handle various problems and scenarios within the workplace. Some standard questions used by prospective employers can include:
- Customer Services – Provide an example when you have gone that extra mile for a customer or client
- Teamwork – What are your 3 main qualities that would benefit your prospective employer?
- Problem Solving – Provide an example when you have overcome a significant problem for a customer or a client
- Achievements – What has been you greatest achievement within the workplace, and why?
- Strengths & Weaknesses – Provide an example when you have failed to complete a task within the workplace, and advise how you could have done the job better?
- Sales & Targets – Sell me a holiday destination that you have been to and enjoyed
Please note that these are just example questions, to provide an idea of how some companies conduct interviews
And Finally
Try to ask plenty of your own questions throughout the interview. Ensure these questions are relevant to the interview, and in particular the role you are being interviewed for.
Example questions can include:
- Do you offer new employees additional training?
- Is this role a new or existing one?
- What clients do you work with?
- Will there be a chance to progress in the future?
- What are you company goals for the next year?
- Who will I report to if successful?
- What are your standard hours of work?
- Will you be holding second interviews?