Peter: What do you suggest that candidates do to make sure they are well researched in their company of choice?

John: First things first, make sure they're familiar with the website. Secondly, if you're going for a job say at Noel Leemings, don't ask silly questions such as what brands they stock or whether they have any other brands. You should know the simple answers to things like the number of stores they have. Another example would be if you're going for a job at Cadbury, make sure you know all or most of their brands, certainly the New Zealand ones anyway. It's things like that, and the company's website is a good place to start. One other mistake candidates make is leaving on their cellphones, it's even worse when they answer it.

Peter: Hang on, I've got a call on my phone - just kidding there!

John: You see where I'm coming from? This sort of thing happens. And another surprising mistake that candidates makes is not being prepared to answer questions on their CV. People say things like "Oh, it's in my CV", which really sounds like they're trying to be high and mighty. You definitely need to be prepared to explain your CV, questions like "What was your involvement in that company?" or "Why was the performance of that company not good?" Simply replying with "Oh, it's in my CV" is not a very good answer.

Peter: It sounds like they just avoided the question, didn't they?

John: Yes, or downright cocky. Another mistake is not blowing your own trumpet enough. Some people don't take enough credit for their successes. The flipside of taking too much ownership is that you should certainly blow your own trumpet. You're there to do that.

Peter: Don't you think there is a certain Kiwi mindset to not be that way?

John: Yes, definitely.

Peter: If there's a medium point, a low point and a high point, you've got to be careful to be perceived as being too confident.

John: It's really just about being honest. If you worked in sales and churned out some really great sales, then by all means say it, but you've just got to be prepared to back it up. Or if you were part of a team, then say you were part of a team, but if you achieved something really great individually, don't forget to acknowledge yourself either. Interviewers often ask questions like "What are your strengths?" And are often met with answers like "Never thought about that". Let's assume this isn't the first interview you've been to and let's assume you get asked this question every time. It would really pay to think and answer this question in detail. It's amazing when people pretend that they've never thought about the question, when of course, they get asked it almost every time.

Peter: There must be some common interview questions there, some real classics that get used a lot.

John: Oh, yes, there are. What are your strengths; what are your weaknesses? They get asked in all sorts of different ways. What things do you think you need to work on? It's another way of saying, 'what are your weaknesses.' There are a dozen ways of asking that question. Why you left companies. Be honest about why you left companies. That is another one. If you are made redundant, then say you were made redundant, or whatever. Those are probably the main ones.

Peter: Thanks a lot for your time John - I appreciate the information you've provided us with here.