Wednesday 14 May 2014

The Job Interview: Tips for success

As a few of you may have noticed from reading this post I have had a job interview. Now many people think that applying for the job is the difficulty and once you've got an interview then the hard part’s over. Think again my friend.

Job interviews are a minefield of good etiquette and implications. What you don’t say can have just as much effect as what you do.

It is therefore important to be as prepared as possible so that by the time the interview takes place you can be calm and confident, rather than a nervous wreck.


Interviews can be a daunting experience, so make sure you my top tips for nailing the interview and getting one step closer to success!

Do your homework: Research the company – who they are, what they do, what their work ethos is.

These are all pretty standard things you will need to know before your interview. What people overlook however seems to be how they will fit in with the company. So as well as looking at what they do and how they operate, have some answers prepared as to how your personality and skills will add to the company and what you bring with you. It’s a great way of selling your strengths as benefits to the company without seeming like you’re big headed.

Have a look and see if the company has been in the news recently or won any rewards.

Whilst it might not be headline news on the TV or in the newspapers, most companies have a news section as part of their website which publishes articles outlining the company’s successes and other things of note. Have a read and they will provide you with enough material to talk about the company in a positive manner whilst at the same time showing that you took the initiative to look at little further and read more widely. You can also link the company’s successes as the reasons why you wish to work for them.

Dress for success.

What you wear to an interview can have a huge effect on how it goes. If you wear something that makes you feel uncomfortable or self-conscious it will be clear to others and affect how they perceive you as a person. Whether you accept it or not, what you wear and how you wear it is a huge indicator of your personality, self-confidence and status. The key here is to help the interviewer to visualise you as part of their team and contributing to the company. Make sure that your clothes fit you well, are clean and ironed and that you hair and makeup is subtle and unfussy.

It is important here to do a little research on the company and what their employees wear, try and fit in with the environment and company ethos. If it has a casual dress code a suit may be considered a no-no, whereas in other companies anything less than an immaculate suit would be frowned upon.

Try not to become too stressed about what you wear, the main thing is not to wear something that will distract the interviewer and take away from your interview answers. They want to remember you for the great things you said and your sparkling personality, not the scuffed shoes and shirt stain.

Body language

Body language is a big thing. You need to show the interviewer your character both verbally and non-verbally.

Make sure you greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, introduce yourself with confidence and most importantly remember their name when they give it to you. Remembering someone’s name is important as it shows you are engaged and present, it is also noticed if you use their name when thanking them for their time at the end. The personal touches matter.

Look at people when you are talking to them or when they address you. Eye contact is very important and shows the interviewer that you can stay focused. It’s also just good manners. If you are being interviewed by multiple people, make sure you acknowledge each of them and then return your attention to the person who asked you the question. Don’t forget to smile!

Watch yourself.

Keep on top of any nervous fidgeting or movement and stop it. You don’t want anything to distract the interviewer from what you are saying. Noone wants to be remembered as ‘the fidgeter’. Instead, sit up straight and lean slightly forward, this conveys confidence and interest and keeps the interviewer engaged with what you are saying.



I hope these tips help, if you have any more please share in the comments so that others can benefit too!!

In case you missed it, don’t forget to check out my post on 5 Top Tips To Help You With Your Job Search.

xx

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