Interview
Tips
A job interview is a big deal. A new job can boost
your career and affect your whole life. It is therefore
critical to impress your potential future employer
at the interview. But what are interviewers looking
for? The following provides useful tips and guidance
to help you maximize your chances of securing that
job.
Before the interview:
The key word is preparation from start to finish.
There’s nothing worse than the interviewee turning
up unprepared.
· Research the organization. The interviewer
wants to see that you are putting some effort into
winning the job; that you are interested in the organization
and showing enthusiasm.
· Remember to include all the relevant and
important points you want to make.
· Think outside the box. Don’t wait to
be asked about the company. If you find opportunities
throughout the interview impress your interviewer
with your research, the more relevant facts about
the company you can include during the interview,
the better. They needn’t ask if you’ve
done your research.
· Remember to review your application and CV
and be prepared for the interviewer to cross-reference
the job on offer with your experiences.
First impressions:
It is important to make a good first impression.
Your interviewer will form a frighteningly large part
of their opinion of you on the basis of a very small
proportion of the time they spend with you. The first
few moments are critical and will tell them a great
deal about you, whether you like it or not. You need
to make sure you send out the messages you want.
· What to wear? Knowing how to dress isn’t
as easy as it once was. It is important you dress
appropriately for the industry you are pursuing a
job in. No longer can you pull out your best suit
for an interview in an organization where the workforce
all wears jeans and t-shirts. The interviewer may
just think ‘Very smart. They’ll never
fit in’. A useful tip: find out what the company
dress code is simply by contacting your interviewer
or speaking to a current employee. Dress a notch or
two above this, e.g. If the code is casual, you dress
smart casual.
· Don’t let your outfit overpower your
personality. Avoid extremes in fashion.
· Avoid strong perfume or aftershave as it
may be overpowering.
· Don’t wear too much jewellery or large
jewellery; this will also reduce the opportunity to
fidget, especially with rings.
· Pay attention to the small details: Teeth,
nails, hair and make up. All these factors will build
the bigger picture for the interviewer.
At the interview:
Again the first few moments will form a picture for
the interviewer. As well as the way you look, the
way you greet your interviewer is just as important.
Plan ahead:
· Leave plenty of time to get there
· Take the letter inviting you to the interview,
with the time on it and any directions you’ve
been sent.
· It’s a good idea to enquire about parking
if you are travelling by car.
· Bring a notepad and pen for taking down any
useful notes in the interview.
· When you get there, smile.
· Make eye contact with the interviewer.
· Offer a handshake as soon as they introduce
themselves and greet with ‘Hello’ or ‘Pleased
to meet you’ or a similar phrase.
· Shake hands firmly (practice with a friend)
with the interviewer or all interviewers if there
is more than one.
· Wait to be invited to sit down
In the interview:
You’ve done all you can to get there and make
a good first impression. All you have to do is calm
down, take a few deep breathes and remember the following:
· Be specific with your answers. Do not go
ramble on and talk about irrelevant issues.
· Use examples.
· Fit your response to specific requirements
of the job.
· Pause before you answer if you need to.
· Don’t lie.
· Don’t criticize you current employer.
· Be ready for particular types of questions,
such as hypothetical questions, so you can give the
kind of answer the interviewer is looking for.
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