Essential Interview Tips
Know where the interview is - how long it takes
to get there and plan your route - then 'have a dry run'. When you then
attend the interview, tell the interviewer that you did a dry run. This
demonstrates excellent planning skills.
Always be on time - by on time, I mean
specifically 10 minutes early. Any earlier is annoying for the interviewer
and it shows a distinct lack of planning on your part. Interestingly, if
you think by being 5 minutes early that this is about right, it isn't!
This approach could firstly leave you with no room at all if you are held
up in anyway and secondly I always find candidates who think this is
sufficient time are rushed and unprepared.
Always find out about the Company interviewing
you - this shows a tremendous amount of respect for the Company and
indicates planning/preparation.
If you do not have an opportunity
to demonstrate your fact find on the Company, make sure you tell the
interviewer in some way.
Particularly impressive is to have looked
at a Company's website. Usually Companies are very proud of their
'website' so they are flattered by the attention, but it also indicates a
high level of PC literacy. CARE - if you do bother to find out about the
Company then do it properly, understand what you read/observe - do not
make it a token gesture - this will make you look pretentious and
ignorant.
Look the part - make sure you are smartly and
professionally dressed. No matter what the job is, it can only benefit you
by having a professional appearance.
It is important not to wear
too much aftershave/perfume - this can overwhelm the interview room very
quickly. Always take care with your hair - be well groomed. Make sure your
nails look cared for - many interviewers make the assumption that if a
candidate cares for their nails, then they truly care about their
appearance. This is also the case with shoes!
Listening Skills - it is very important that you
use listening skills to as this shows manners, interest and enthusiasm.
Listening skills include nodding, asking questions related to what
has just been said, leaning forward and eye contact.
Like the person who is interviewing you - even if
you do not particularly take to the person interviewing make yourself
believe that you like them!
Everyone fundamentally wants to
be liked, even interviewers, and it is very easy to pick up that someone
likes as well as dislikes you. The interviewer will naturally, but
sub-consciously, incline towards the candidate that likes them.