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  • Benefits, Terms and Conditions & Training
  • Interview Guidelines
  • Support Staff Recruitment Equality and Diversity

Support Staff Recruitment, Interview Guidelines

These guidelines are designed to give general advice on how to prepare for your interview. There may only be one position available and it will be the candidate that performs best at interview that will be offered the position.

Preparation before your interview

• You may have lots of experience of interviews or this may be the first interview you have ever attended. However, by preparing for your interview you will feel more confident and able to perform to your best ability. 
• Where you can, do some research - We want to see that you have thought carefully about the role you are applying for. Dont try to remember facts and figures, concentrate on understanding more about the role. 
• Re-read the information you were provided with in the pack that contained your Application Form. Pay particular attention to the Job Description and Person Specification. Refer back to your application form to remember what you have already told us. 
• Know your strengths and weaknesses - you need to be confident and comfortable talking about yourself. Remember the interview is your opportunity to sell yourself. 
• Please advise us if you require any additional arrangements to be made to assist you to attend for interview.

On the day of your interview

• Appearance and dress - first impressions count and although the way you are dressed will not be scored as part of your interview, you will feel more confident if you are dressed smartly. 
• Punctuality - it might seem obvious but make sure that you arrive in plenty of time for your interview. Make sure that you have planned your journey and leave extra time in case of any delays. Please note that on-site parking may not always be available. 
• Make sure that you allow enough time for your interview - your interview should last on average approximately 45 minutes. Please also bear in mind that whilst every effort is made to ensure that your interview starts on time, we can sometimes fall behind schedule due to unforeseen circumstances. Please also allow for any allocated time should an assessment or test be required. 
• Dont forget to bring with you any certificates, qualifications or any paperwork or identification specified in your interview letter.

The interview structure

• The interview panel will normally consist of three members, usually a representative from our Personnel Department, the Line Manager and the Section Head. Whilst this format may seem very formal, it helps to ensure fairness. The purpose of the interview is for us to find out as much as we can about you, your experience, skills and knowledge required for the role. The panel will try to make you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. 
• The interview questions are structured to ensure that the interview process is fair for all candidates. 
• Whilst one member of the panel is asking you a question, the other two panel members will be making notes of your answers. This is so that we have an accurate record of what you say and can refer to our notes when we score your answers.

During your interview

• Listen carefully to each question that is asked and think before you answer. Take your time. 
• Never assume that the panel know what your previous roles have involved. Where you can, give relevant examples of experience. 
• Answer the questions honestly and as fully as you can. 
• Dont be afraid to ask the panel members to repeat or explain a question that you dont understand. 
• Try to relax - everyone gets nervous when they go for an interview and the panel will do their best to make you feel at ease.

At the end of the interview

• At the end of the interview you will be given the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. Use this opportunity to tell the panel anything that you may have missed out during the interview. 
• You will also be told how and when you will be informed of whether you have been successful. 
• Once you have left the interview, the panel will review their notes and score your answers. A scoring framework is used to ensure that all candidates are marked fairly.

Good Luck!

We hope you find these guidelines useful. If you have any further queries, please give the Recruitment Team a call on 0121 380 6235 / 6211.

The West Midlands Fire and Civil Defence Authority is an employer committed to achieving a working environment that actively encourages, promotes and values equality and diversity. To support this aim, we welcome applications from all of the community who share our commitment.