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Do's
Preparation and confidence
Preparation and confidence are obviously important and good preparation always creates confidence.
Here is a list of interview tips – in no particular order, but all of them useful in preparing you for that all-important meeting!
Checklist
Be on time!
Always keep in mind that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So be on time! If you cannot avoid being late then make sure you have their phone number and call them.
Be prepared!
Always look at the company website in advance and learn something about the company before you attend your interview.
Write down and practice possible questions!
Try to have some intelligent, pre-prepared questions of your own to ask the interviewer based on what you have learned on the company website – this will demonstrate that you have done some research and will impress the interviewer!
You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
- Check your body language while rehearsing some basic questions to make sure that you come across as confident without being cocky!
Do not talk too much!
Always remember that communication is a two-way process. Never interrupt the interviewer when he/she is talking.
One common mistake candidates make when interviewing is talking too much. It is important to listen to the question asked and answer that question. Keep your answers to two to three minutes at the most. When you limit your time, you tend to stay more focused. It is very easy to stray off the subject and ramble about things irrelevant to the job if your answer is too long.
Talk about specific achievements!
Interviewers like to know how you felt about a particular success. Some will ask for specific examples of things you have done that you are particularly proud of; how you solved problems; how you learned - and improved - from difficult situations.
Think of an Interview as a “First Date”
Instead of seeing it as an inquisition, think of a job interview as a first date: you are both trying to figure out if there is a match. This mindset proffers many advantages. You come off as curious, not desperate, you do not assume that too-formal, phony-appearing, job-seeker persona, you talk about what you want to talk about instead of just passively getting bombarded with the employer's probes and you are more likely to ask questions during the interview. Those questions will help you assess if you really want the job. Treat the interview as a first date and you will both be better informed when deciding whether you should hook up.
Bring up a Weakness!
In an interview, bring up a weakness before you are asked for one. For example, "I really need to work on my leadership skills”. “I am a good worker and totally competent, but sometimes I lack the confidence to stand up and take a leadership position." Obviously this particular example would only be useful if the job for which you are applying does not require extensive managerial skills!!
Attitude adjustment
It is difficult to remain upbeat in a tough job market. Feeling isolated and waiting for the phone to ring is the worst way to handle negative thoughts. When you start feeling down, take steps to turn your thinking around. Go for a walk, or do something fun. It may be just what you need to feel relaxed and at ease. Getting together with friends and having a support system will help you to laugh and keep going.
Get the info
Informational interviews can be a great way to get information about the company and are sometimes possible to arrange in advance of a formal job interview when the job itself is a senior one. It is important that the person you contact understands that you are seeking information not a job. Be prepared when you ask for an appointment to say what you are looking for and why you want to talk to this person. At the informational interview have a prepared list of questions. At the end, ask if the person knows any other people you could speak to. Never forget though that senior people are often very busy so don’t take it to heart if you cannot be accommodated in this way.
Explain why you left
If you feel it is necessary to explain about leaving a previous employment, follow these guidelines when interviewers ask, "Why did you leave your company?" Carefully describe the reason for your departure and do not go into details unless asked. Provide references to support your reasons for leaving and job performance. Stay with the facts of what happened, what you did, how you felt and what you learned. Then describe how you will handle things differently in the future.
Your References
For your reference list, you want three to five people and their contact information. Do not forget to get permission to use your references' names and ask how they prefer to be contacted. You should also send them a copy of your CV so they will be aware of what you are saying about yourself.
The world's toughest job interview question
Great questions to ask early in a job interview: "What are you most hoping to find in the person you hire?" and "What would be my first priorities on the job?" The earlier you can ask these questions, the sooner you can start tailoring your answers to the employer's priorities. At the end of the interview, ask, "Based on what we've talked about today, I feel good about the position. Do you have any concerns about my ability to do the job?" Often, that gives you a chance to counter any objections.
Know what you offer
Prepare answers for open-ended questions, like, "Tell me about yourself," by making a list of your skills and traits that match the employer's requirements. The closer your skills and traits are to the job description, the better chance you have of landing the job. You should leave the interviewer with a clear picture of what you have to offer.
Prove what you could do
Always put a positive spin on your answers to difficult questions. If you lack a particular skill or do not know a certain computer program, be sure to emphasize how quickly you learn. Give an example of a time when you were able to get up to speed in a similar situation. Companies are interested in people who can hit the ground running.
Sell yourself
Interviewing is about selling yourself. The product you are selling is you. Give them reasons to buy. Tell them what you can do for them. Emphasize what you can bring to the company, department and position. Convince them that you are better than your competition.
Talking salary
Timing is everything in the interview. Let them bring up the subject of money. If you are asked what your salary expectations are too early in the process, just say you would rather postpone that discussion until you have more information about the position.
Ask your way into a better job
You can’t always tell how good a job is from a recruitment ad. There's often a gap between the exciting opportunity portrayed in the ad and the actual job.
You can often get a clear idea about a job by asking the right questions. For example, in the job interview, ask, "What attributes are most needed to succeed in this job?"
Do not forget to listen!
Listening is one of the most underused interview skills. Most candidates are so nervous about answering interview questions correctly that they forget to listen. Follow these tips:
- Listen through eye contact.
- Listen to nonverbal expressions.
- Listen until the speaker is finished.
- Do not interrupt.
It is OK to be nervous!
Not only is it OK to be nervous about an interview, but it is essential for you to accept how you feel. Telling yourself you should feel differently than you do is unrealistic and just makes you feel bad about yourself. What's the worst that can happen at an interview? For many, it would be not getting an offer. Did you ever think that maybe the job wasn't right for you? Try to look at the process as a learning experience.
Follow the interviewer
During the interview, your interviewer is giving you information that can guide you on how to behave during the meeting. Observe your interviewer's style. Listen very carefully and let him/her know that you have been listening by asking good questions and making good comments. Answer questions by providing the information asked for.
Put up with rejection?
If you are rejected from the company, you may feel hurt, angry or fed up. Instead of being stuck in ‘feeling rejected’ mode, take back the power by staying proactive. If you really wanted to work for that particular company, sit down and write a letter. Remind them of all the positive points you could bring to the organization. Let them know you are still interested in working for the company if something should change or open up.
Face the feedback
If you ask for feedback from an interviewer, be prepared to hear things that could be upsetting. You should listen carefully and take notes to refer to and react to. Do not argue or defend yourself. Finally, do not forget to thank the interviewer. Then, take the advice and think about changing some techniques to improve on your next interview.
Don'ts
Having considered the positives when interviewing, now it’s time to consider some of the worst interview blunders!
Not preparing for the interview:
Keep in mind that preparation always increases confidence. So do not face the interview without preparation. You cannot communicate without pre-interview research.
Showing up late or too early:
One of the first lessons in a job-search is to show up on time for interviews. Many job seekers do not realize that showing up too early often creates a poor first impression. Arriving more than 10 minutes early for interview shows that the job seeker has too much time on his or her hands and it may be inconvenient for the interviewer to accommodate an interviewee too early.
Poor handshake:
In every place handshaking matters a lot. With the help of handshaking anyone can try to judge your personality. The handshake starts the interview and that is your first opportunity to create a great impression. If you have delivered a poor handshake, it is impossible for you to recover it. Here are some examples:
- The limp hand gives the impression of disinterest or weakness.
- Only tips of the fingers shows lack of ability to engage.
- The arm pump may seem overly aggressive.
Your handshake may be telling more about you than you know. Ask about your handshaking to your friends who are not afraid to tell you the truth.
Treating the receptionist rudely:
The first person you meet on an interview is often a receptionist. The receptionist may interpret your positive or negative points before you even set eyes on the interviewer. The interviewer may also solicit the receptionist's opinion of you after you leave.
Talking too much:
Talking too much always creates a problem. To avoid over-talking, practice answering questions in a direct manner. Avoid nervous talking by preparing for your interview with role-play.
Talking negatively about current or past employers/managers:
The fastest way to talk yourself out of a new job is to say negative things. Even if your last boss was not good, never state your ill feelings about him/her. No matter how reasonable your complaints, you will come out the loser if you show that you disrespect your boss because the interviewer will assume that you would similarly trash him or her. When faced with the challenge of talking about former employers, make sure you are prepared with a positive spin on your experiences.
Asking about benefits, vacation time or salary:
Do not ask about the benefits, holiday entitlement or salary during the first interview. Wait until you have won the employer over before beginning that discussion.
Verbal ticks:
The first signs of nervousness are verbal ticks. Repeating phrases or words like "umm," "like," "you know” gives the impression of a limited vocabulary. You can avoid verbal ticks by pausing for a few seconds to gather your thoughts before each response.
To reduce verbal ticks, practice sharing your best success stories ahead of time and you will feel more relaxed during the real interview.
Not enough/too much eye contact:
Eye contact shows your confidence but it may be that it creates a negative effect also. Avoid eye contact and you will seem shifty, untruthful, or disinterested. If you sometimes have trouble with eye-contact balance, work this issue out ahead of time in an interview practice session with a friend.
Failure to match communication styles:
It is almost impossible to make a good first impression if you can not communicate effectively with an interviewer, but this is easily achieved. The following points should help to you:
- If the interviewer seems very formal and businesslike, then you must match that approach.
- If the interviewer is informal, then mirror that approach, never forgetting that you are in an interview.
- If the interviewer has a very ‘direct’ style, then answer succinctly and directly.
Allowing the interviewer to set the tone of conversation can vastly improve your chances of making a favorable impression.
Final thoughts
Just as a strong CV wins you an opportunity to interview, strong interview skills will win you consideration for the job. You already know that you won't earn an interview unless your CV sets you apart as a candidate of choice. Start your job search with an accurate, spell-checked CV that creates a stellar first impression.
Good Luck!
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