Tips for interviews

Tips on completing application form

Over the course of the year we receive hundreds of application forms. These kind of numbers mean that you need to stand out from the crowd at the very first stage so follow our tips for success – written by the people who read your forms!

• Firstly, make sure you are filling in the correct form. The Exploration & Production part of our business offers a different Graduate scheme to the Refining & Marketing sector so make sure you are applying for the scheme you are interested in.
• Get yourself in the right frame of mind for completing the form. There is no save function on the application form so be prepared to fill in questions on yourself, your education background and on our key competency areas all in the one session. You can always print off a hard copy of the form to practice your answers on and gauge the length of time it will take to complete.
• Answer all the questions on the form. If a section is not relevant type ‘n/a’ otherwise it will appear to us that you have skipped over this section of the form. Our assessment process is competency based so filling in the competencies section is key and you won’t get through the initial stages if these areas are not completed. As a reminder, the competencies we are looking at are Flexibility, Team working ethic, Communication skills, Problem solving and decision making, Achievement motivation and Leadership skills. In addition, we require graduates who are mobile both nationally and internationally.
• Most recruiters have a keen eye for spotting standard responses so customise your application for the job and organisation and make sure you answer the questions asked, don’t just ‘copy and paste’ from another company’s form.
• Check your form before you send it off for correct spelling and grammar. Make sure it’s a true reflection of you as a person and potential employee.

Tips on interview techniques

On the telephone…

If your application is successful, you will be asked to do a telephone interview. Our team of telephone interviewers will call you in the first instance to arrange a convenient time, as the interview will last around 40 minutes. Here are a few tips from the team:

• Be Prepared! Prepare for a phone interview just as you would for a regular interview. Compile a list of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of answers to typical interview questions. In addition, prepare for a conversation about your background and skills. The interview will last 40 minutes to an hour.
• Keep your resume in clear view, on the top of your desk, or tape it to the wall near the phone, so it's at your fingertips when you need to answer questions.
• Have a short list of your accomplishments available to review.
• Have a pen and paper handy for note taking.
• Turn call-waiting off so your call isn't interrupted.
• If the time isn't convenient, ask if you could talk at another time and suggest some alternatives.
• Clear the room. Turn off the stereo and the TV. Close the door.
• Smile - it comes through in your voice.
• Speak directly into the phone.
• Don't smoke, chew gum, eat or drink anything. It all telegraphs to your listener.
• Avoid ah, er, hum. This habit is especially noticeable on the telephone. This takes practice. So practice.
• Be aware that the interviewer can't see you - can't see your hand gestures, can't see you taking notes.
• Do use the technique of repeating or re-phrasing questions. It tells the caller that you listened carefully, and gives you time to think about your answer.
• Avoid the simple yes or no; add selling points at every opportunity.
• If you need time to think, say so - as in radio, silence during a telephone conversation is dead air time.
• If you are using a mobile phone, find a quiet place to talk – it can be difficult enough to conduct a conversation on a mobile phone without having to filter out the background noise of a railway station/car engine/noisy road.
• Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth.
• Don't interrupt the interviewer.
• Take your time - it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts.
• Be professional – it’s easy to treat a telephone interview as an informal chat. But remember that you are trying to present a good impression at all times.
• Your voice is the only sales tool you have – speak slowly and clearly, don’t use slang and try to sound relaxed and confident.

Face to face…

Following the telephone interview, successful applicants will come to our offices for an assessment day, where you will be able to show off your potential to a team of Human Resources specialists and Line Managers. Here are a few tips for the day:

• Most impressions are formed in the first few seconds so make sure you create the right one! By arriving late, disorganised, flustered or with a hangover, you immediately put yourself at a disadvantage, which could be avoided with a little bit of preparation.
• By all means prepare your answers, as most of our interview questions will be centred on the key competencies – but don’t over-rehearse and sound like you are reading from a script! Our assessors are also looking for some personality and originality to ensure you fit with the organisation.
• Why do you want to work for TOTAL? Make sure you do some background research in to the company you are applying for and be prepared to say why you were attracted to the Graduate Scheme and what makes you a suitable applicant. Use the website before you come to the interview to find out who our competitors are and what the latest issue are for the industry.
• …Your assessor will have read through your application form and will be looking to elaborate on some of the points you have made so have some new examples and information at hand to tell them so you are not just repeating yourself.
• Have some questions to throw back at us! The interview is a two way process about you fitting in with our company and our company being the right one for you, and we want you to come away with a better idea of whether you want to be a part of our Graduate Scheme.
• Look the part! Taking pride in your appearance speaks volumes to us about your personality and outlook.

Fast Fact:

• You need to stand out from the crowd from the very first stage