dress smartly, look
bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently. Don't
forget that in the first few minutes only 7% of the
interviewer's opinion of you is formed by what you say - the
rest is judged on how you look, act and sound
find out where the venue
is beforehand, how to get there and how long it takes
get your outfit ready the
night before
find out what kind of
interview it will be so you can prepare
examine the person
specification and your CV/application form, and think about what
type of questions they will ask you
prepare answers for the
main questions - for example, why do you want the job, what are
your strengths and weaknesses, what are the main tasks in this
job?
make about three or four
points in each answer
quote real examples of
when you've used certain skills - just saying you've got a skill
isn't enough
take your time when
answering the questions: make sure you understand the question
and take your time if you need to think
sell yourself: no one
else is going to! Be positive about yourself and your
experiences
prepare some questions to
ask at the end of the interview - use it as an opportunity to
find out more about the role and the company. (Don't ask about
money or perks just yet!)
when discussing salary,
know your market worth and start by quoting a little higher than
this
get feedback on your
performance, whether you were successful or not
turn off your mobile
phone: treat the interviewers with respect and give them your
undivided attention
keep your answers focused
on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for
you
What not to do
don't be late
don't swear or use slang
words
don't slouch in your seat or
do anything that makes you look uninterested
don't smoke
don't lie: the interviewer
may see through you. Even if you get the job, your employer can
dismiss you if they find out that you have not been honest
don't let your nerves show
too much; a few nerves are normal but extreme nerves will affect
your performance. Use breathing techniques and try to remember that
it's not a life and death situation - there are plenty of jobs out
there!
don't be arrogant and assume
you've got the job. Nothing turns off employers more than someone
who is disrespectful and over-confident
don't discuss controversial
topics such as religion, politics and gender relations
don't read from notes or your
CV — you should be familiar enough with your own history to be able
to talk about it unprompted
don't criticise former
employers or colleagues. Interviewers may mark you down as a
troublemaker and a gossip
don't argue with the
interviewer, no matter what. Remember to keep things positive!
Observations
These rules apply for most jobs.
Job hunting is easy on one2find.com and you need to find work quickly. However, employers in some industries can use more relaxed and informal
interviewing techniques. In some creative fields (design and media for
example) it may be expected that you turn up for the interview in casual
clothes, as that is the dress code in the office. However, smart casual
is better than very casual. If you're in any doubt, do some research on
typical interview techniques in your line of work.
Above all, preparation is the key to
performing well in interviews. Research the role and organisation, and
prepare evidence and examples of your skills and competencies.