Interviewing for jobs in credit control

First impressions count, so make sure you get the essentials right in order to give yourself the best possible chance in your credit control job interview.

• Give yourself ample time to arrive at your appointment, and plan your route in advance.
• If you are running late for a genuine reason, always call ahead to explain and apologise as soon as you arrive.
• Dress smartly and ensure that you arrive neat and tidy.
• Keep jewellery to a minimum, and bring any belongings in a handbag or briefcase rather than a carrier bag.
• Switch off your mobile phone before you enter the building.

Preparing properly for your interview is key, as it will ensure you are ready with relevant answers to any questions you may be asked. It also helps to be able to target your preparation towards the company and credit control vacancy you are applying for.

It's a good idea to review your potential credit control position in detail, and familiarise yourself with any additional details provided by your Portfolio Credit Control consultant. Also, get plenty of background information from the company's website.

Competency based interview questions are increasingly common, so take time to review the skills required for the role. Have examples from previous credit control jobs to hand so you are prepared for any difficult questions.

You should also arrive with questions about the role and the company, such as:

• What will my main responsibilities be?
• Who will I report to or work alongside?
• What are the dynamics of the team?
• What opportunities for career progression are there?
• What does your interviewer like about working for the company?

Once you are in the interview room, you want to maintain your positive first impression, and these tips will help you do just that.

• Maintain eye contact and give a firm handshake.
• Don't slouch or fidget, position your hands on the edge of the table or on your knees.
• Talk clearly, but not too fast. Offer concise, direct answers without limiting yourself to one word.
• Avoid discussing previous/current employers or colleagues in a negative manner.
• Be confident, but avoid coming across as arrogant by allowing the interviewer to maintain control of the process.
• Be polite and thank the interviewer for their time when you leave.
• Remember to smile.

There are lots of people out there applying for jobs in credit control, so it is vital to submit a strong CV that makes you stand out from the crowd.

This can mean the difference between getting an interview or not, and even if you do it can still be crucial at the end of the process in determining who gets the job. It's your first opportunity to make an impression, so make sure it's a good one.

• Always put your contact details at the top of the page, including your full name, home address, email and ideally two contact numbers. A recruiter needs as much information as possible in the early stages, so provide it for them.
• Start with your most recent credit control position and go backwards. If you have a long work history, it is fine for your CV to be more than two pages, although it is best to limit it to a maximum of four.
• Keep the length down by only including detailed information about recent credit control jobs, but always list all companies you have worked for and the dates that you were there.
• Ensure that for each role you provide one or two lines about the company and team structure, and then a list of your duties within that role. Although it is easier list your general skills over one or two pages and then provide a list of your previous employers, this makes it difficult for the recruiter to assess your suitability for their credit control position.
• Always make sure that the information has context, i.e. always provide details of company employee numbers to give the recruiter an idea of the size of the firm, and provide information on who you report to within the company. For example, if you have credit manager experience, outline the size of the team you oversaw.
• List your education in full, including any qualifications you have gained.
• Outline your IT skills and which systems you have used in a separate section of your CV. Provide information on your proficiency levels for standard packages such as MS Office. Use quantifiable terms such as 'intermediate Excel' and 'basic formulas and look ups'.
• Check thoroughly for mistakes. Make sure that all the information is correct. Spelling errors are unacceptable, so use spell check and ask someone else to proofread your CV.