| Index »SOME GENERAL INTERVIEW RELATED ASPECTS |
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| SOME GENERAL INTERVIEW RELATED ASPECTS |
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| Tell The Truth |
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| If you lie in an interview and are asked to go into more detail, it will be obvious that you don't know what you're talking about once the interview is over, ask at least one question about the job itself
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| Good Presentation (Dress To Impress)
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| Vital. An untidy appearance will make you down in the eyes of the interviewer. Ensure that your appearance is clean and tidy a suit is always acceptable for both men and women. Give yourself plenty of time to decide what to wear and get the clothes ready the day before. If you look good it will help you feel good. If you look untidy, that's how you'll be remembered.
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| The Right Impression
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| Eyes and your overall posture go a long way in creating the right impression. In the event of panel interviews, try not to direct all answers and questions to one person. Look at, and speak to, the whole panel. Whether or not to smoke at an interview is a very controversial subject. In most cases, it's better to refrain. However, do accept coffee or tea if it's offered to you-it tends to relax the atmosphere.
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| Take an upright but fairly relaxed position and try to look your interviewer in the eye. Look rather than stare at the interviewer and avoid gazing around the room. Do not mumble or try disguise any dialects or regional accents-it only causes more problems for you as the interview progresses.
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| Never underestimate the importance of a firm, confident handshake and positive body language. You have to look keen and engaged, so mirror the body language of the person interviewing you, lean in towards them at times and don't cross your arms. Always accept a glass of water, it can create a useful barrier during an uncomfortable question and buy you a few crucial seconds while you take a sip.
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| Be Positive |
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| Even if you have reservations about attending the interview, go into it with a positive attitude. Remember-it easy enough to turn down a job you may feel is unsuitable once it's offered to you, but not as easy to retrieve an interview after suddenly discovering that it's exactly the job you were looking for. |
| "When you're asked why you're moving on, don't start slagging off your old boss. A lot of industries are very close knit and you may be insulting the interviewer's friend. Think of positive reasons - make it all about the new company, your new career prospects and your ambition to succeed."Prepare at least 15 questions to ask at the end - five about the role, five about the company, and five specifically about the interviewer. |
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| No Lying |
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| Being put on the spot by interviewers can feel very uncomfortable, and it's easy to fall into a defensive posture. If you're not sure of the answer or feel boxed into a corner it's all right to buy time - including saying "I need some time to think about that." No matter how nervous you are, you do need to look after the people interviewing you. Show that you know how to communicate and relate to people. |
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| Dealing With The Unexpected |
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| The following situations can cause problems but being prepared may help you deal with them if they arise. |
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| The Unprepared Interviewer |
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| Not all employers have had training or are experienced in interviewing people. They could be just as nervous as you are about the situation. You might find yourself being talked at and given little opportunity to sell yourself. This may mean waiting for a gap in the conversation and taking the lead during the interview (but not taking over!) |
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| Delays And Interruption |
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| Don't become impatient if the Employer keeps you waiting. They may have good reasons for this, so try to keep calm. If the interviewer is interrupted - for instanced by a Telephone call - offer to leave the room. |
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| Uncomfortable Surroundings |
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| If you find yourself being interviewed in unsuitable surroundings such as a busy public area, or noisy part of a factory - again, keep calm and try to do your best. You could ask the Employer if you could go elsewhere but you will have to use your own judgement as to whether this request would be acceptable. |
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| After The Interview |
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| While it is still fresh in your mind, think about how the interview went: |
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what went well? |
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what went badly? |
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were there any questions you found difficult and why? |
| A checklist can be used to help you identify areas for improvement. |
| Did you: |
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Arrive on time? |
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Dress appropriately? |
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Greet the interviewer politely? |
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Sit well and avoid fidgeting? |
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Answer the questions fully enough? |
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Sell myself - stress why I was the best person for the job? |
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Describe my previous duties well? |
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Look at the interviewer and smile occasionally? |
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Thank the interviewer for taking the time to see me? |
| Try to learn as much as you can from each interview. Aim to become more prepared and confident in the future by looking for areas to improve and developing your stronger areas of performance. In this way you will increase your chance of getting that job. |
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| Here Are Some Tips Which May Help: |
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| Do: |
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Enter the room confidently |
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Shake hands firmly - and introduce yourself |
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Be polite and friendly - look the interviewer straight in the eye as soon as you enter the room |
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Look interested - ask questions as well as answering |
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Answer questions as fully as you can - avoid yes and no answers |
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Provide examples to prove your achievements |
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Tell the truth |
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Ask if you don't understand a question |
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Speak clearly |
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Sell yourself - get your good points across/be positive |
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Give a friendly smile |
| Don't: |
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Sit until invited |
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Fidget and slouch in the chair |
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Swear even quietly |
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Criticise former employers |
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Interrupt |
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Draw attention to your weaknesses |
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Go over the top - stay calm and stick to the facts |
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People who listen |
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People who answer questions with examples |
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People who come prepared |
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People who appear confident |
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| Work Experience |
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| If you're signing up for work experience, you want to make sure you're getting the most out of it. After all, most placements are unpaid, and involve fetching and filing as well as the fun stuff. In fact it's a common stereotype that work experience staff spend weeks doing thankless photocopying and tea making with little in the way of payback. But with a little forward planning, your work experience placement really can be a route to a rewarding career. Most employers value work experience, particularly as a way into competitive careers, and there is now even a National Council of Work Experience to help guide you through the process. So if you're prepared to work from the bottom up, read on to find out how to get the best from your work experience. |
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| 1. Negotiate In Advance |
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| You're working for free, so you have every right to establish what you're likely to get out of it. Find out who is supposed to be responsible for you, and consider discussing in detail aspects such as whether you'll be allowed to sit in on meetings. Although people may feel fortunate to gain placements they should bear in mind they are also a valuable commodity. |
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| 2. Think Small |
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| Work experience at larger companies looks good on your CV. But working at a big, well-staffed corporation can mean you'll do less meaningful work. |
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| 3. It's All About The Little Things |
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| If you feel like you're being given the donkey work, persevere. You might be far too well qualified to photocopy and file, but doing the boring tasks well will hold you in good stead. Remember that most companies take on work experience staff regularly and for short periods. So it's difficult for them to know if you're more competent than the last person. Establish your ability at the lower levels, and you up your chances of being rewarded with more challenging tasks. |
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| 4. Call Back |
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| Once you've put in the hours, you need to consolidate your hard work. So make sure you continue to keep in contact with your employer. Send a letter or an email after the placement thanking them for taking you on it is a basic courtesy and also a brilliant way to get some really important information that could help you in your future career. |
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