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Interview Tips

Before the Interview
Know Your Resume:

  1. Print- three copies of your GEO Manage version resume. This is the version that the client sees and uses. (Please: use one copy for your study purpose; and two copies for taking to the interview).
  2. Study- your resume carefully again before the interview. (Please be ready to speak about: your career experience; your skills; your personality; and how these things match you to the job that you are interviewing for).

Know The Job:

  1. Print- two copies of the original client version of the job spec. (Please use one copy for your study purposes, and take one copy to the interview).
  2. Study- the job spec- carefully again before the interview.(Please be ready to speak about the areas of the job in which you are already experienced, and how these things match you to the job that you are interviewing for. Please also identify your areas of inexperience, and be prepared to discuss these also).
  3. Anticipate Client Questions and Prepare/Practice Answers:
  4. Prepare- a list of obvious questions that the client will probably ask you, and prepare answers to these questions. (To do this, please pretend that you are the interviewer, and then look objectively at your resume, look objectively at the job spec, and prepare a list of questions that you would ask the interviewee).

Note:Typically clients want to confirm: that you have the demonstrated skills/experience to do the job well; that your personality is a pleasant fit for the company/team; and that your previous career history indicates that you are a stable employee who will stay at least 2 years in the job.

  1. Typically: HR interviewers are more concerned about your personality and job history as an employee; and Line Managers are more concerned about your skills and experience as a team member.
  2. Practice- In front of a mirror, practice asking yourself the questions, and answering the questions. Practice a few times until you become more confident, clear and concise in your answers. (Please remember that the client will probably ask you some questions that you have not prepared for. Always try and think in the moment during the interview, and expect the unexpected)

Know the client:

  1. Research- Get to know more about your possible future employer. What are their core business activities and companies in Japan and globally? Who are their competitors? Where is their headquarters? Take a look at the client's web site, and also do some other internet based research.
  2. Prepare Some Questions to Ask the Client: Prepare- some intelligent questions to ask about the job, the team, and the company. Use these questions to increase your chances to get the job by showing your common-sense, your interest in the job/client, and your suitability to the job/client.

At the Interview
Arrive Early:

  1. Arrive- at the Interview venue a little early if possible to avoid any last minute rush or panic. Read through the job spec/your resume again on your way to the interview to get your mind calm and ready for the interview.

Enjoy Your Interview

  1. Relax- You have already passed the first step by getting the interview. The client selected you because they see a match between your skills, your experience, and their open position. So, you have no reason to be nervous, and obviously being nervous obviously will not help you to achieve your target of getting a new job.
  2. Smile- Please don't treat the interview like a trip to the dentist. Remember clients will hire a person that that they like, and that they feel comfortable with.
  3. Communicate- When the right timing presents itself, then please try and make some natural two way communication with the interviewer by asking some questions about: the job; the team; the company; the interviewer; their competitors, their main market/s, etc. This will make the situation/communication more natural, comfortable, and pleasant, for both the client and for yourself.
  4. Sell Yourself- Use Examples- Any question asked to you is an opportunity for you to sell yourself with your answer as the right candidate for the position. (Please support/explain your answers by using real-life examples from your previous career experience)
  5. Areas of Inexperience- If you lack certain types of experience that the client needs, then please try to highlight your related experience of doing something similar, and let the client know that you are the type of person who can quickly acquire and utilize the new skills that they need.
  6. Don't Ask About Money: Please avoid- asking the client about money during any interview. If the client asks you about your current salary, then your best answers are either to:

a) Tell them what you are earning currently (no need to tell them how much your target salary is); or to
b) Tell them that you have let your recruiter know your current salary already, and that you would prefer them to please ask your recruiter about your current compensation.

Note: The best impression to leave a client with is that your main reason for changing job is that you are most interested in their job/client/team, and that money is not the main reason for changing job. Of course we will usually be able to negotiate an increase of salary for you.


After the interview

  1. End the Interview Well
  2. Thank the interviewer/s for making the time to meet with you.
  3. Tell them that you enjoyed the interviewed, and felt comfortable with the people that you met
  4. Re-express your interest in the job/company/team members.
  5. Let the interviewer know that you are confident that you could make a good contribution if given the opportunity to take the next step with them, and that you want to take the next step.

Good Luck, and All the Best!!
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