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BE PREPARED - Find out as much as you can about the company you are going to see.
ARRIVE ON TIME - Plan your journey, clarify addresses and ensure you have time to arrive with a few minutes to spare. Smart, neat appearance, a confident introduction and a firm handshake are essential. Dress appropriately for the company and in general avoid wearing anything too flamboyant. Also, do not overdo jewellery. A smart suit is always an asset.
BE AWARE OF YOUR BODY LANGUAGE - Try and relax, be yourself and avoid any extremes like slouching or over enthusiastic gesticulations! Being too intense can be as off putting as being too laid back.
TRY AND ESTABLISH A RAPPORT WITH THE INTERVIEWER - Eye contact and a positive smile inspire confidence. In informal interviews, don't become too familiar and in interrogation-style situations, don't be put off; the interviewer may be testing you in different situations. Stay calm, firm and professional and keep things in perspective.
LISTEN TO THE QUESTIONS - Never jump in with an answer before the interviewer has finished asking the question and never ponder over an answer, leaving an embarrasing silence. Be honest and if you don't understand the question, ask. If you don't know the answer, say so, and explain that you are willing and eager to learn.
AVOID 'YES' AND 'NO' ANSWERS - Each question is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your suitability for the job but don't waffle and don't overdo it - the interviewer will make his/her mind up that you are the right person for the job without being told.
PREPARE FOR COMMON QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE - So that you are not caught off guard. Strengths/weaknesses, ambitions, long term plans and achievements are often talked about. Try to anticipate which situations are most likely to arise in the job, as the interviewer may want to know how you would deal with a specific problem.
NEVER CRITICISE YOUR CURRENT OR PREVIOUS EMPLOYER - Prospective employers hate this and could see it as what you might say about them a few years down the line. Always use positive reasons (such as prospects or individual development) when asked your motive for leaving. Avoid any mentions of personality clashes.
BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU SAY - Your enthusiasm and interest will win through. The interviewer will be seeing applicants of similar experience and background - it is always personality that wins the day.
ALWAYS HAVE QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK THE INTERVIEWER ABOUT THE COMPANY - These should be considered and appropriate and should not relate to salary or conditions of employment - these are issues for discussion at a later stage. Questions you may want to raise could include:
a) What are the company's plans for the next five years and how does this particular department fit in? This is a clever way of asking how big is my job going to get and what are my chances of promotion.
b) What are the actual day to day responsibilities of the job? This should give you a clearer picture of what you will actually be doing.
c) How important is this department in relation to other sectors of the company? This will determine hierarchy and any threatened cutbacks.
DON'T FORGET TO THANK THEM - For seeing you at the end of the interview. If you are interested in the position then say so. |
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