Interviews can be very daunting for the majority of people, often causing people to be stressed beforehand. Below we have
some advice from recruitment experts and interviewers to help you plan for the perfect interview.........
Fail to Prepare......Prepare to Fail!
You’ve heard it before, but that’s because it’s really true! So many people, especially first-jobbers, make the fatal mistake
of not doing their homework before walking into an interview. Interviewers expect you to prepare and the likelihood is that
they will test your knowledge. So prepare well and show them you’re serious about the job.
In order to succeed,
- Practice common interview questions
- Research the company and your interviewers
- Be aware of topical issues affecting your industry
The first five minutes count
According to research, most recruiters decide in the first 5 - 10 minutes whether or not they believe a candidate to be
suitable to their organisation.
So how do you go about making a good impression in those crucial first few moments?
- Arrive on time
- Avoid negativity
- Don't be rude or personal about current or previous employers
- Don’t be too familiar, it’s important to set a professional tone
- Switch off your mobile before you step into the room
Don’t be phased if you get asked something you are unsure about
Were all human and good employers understand how nerve racking the whole experience can be. Try not to panic if you get
asked an unexpected question, just take a deep breath and answer it as best as you can. Remember everyone is allowed some
time to think, so don’t feel like you have to rush the answers. Even if you do make mistakes, the interviewer will make
allowances and chances are you weren’t as bad as you think.
Practice your technique
Your technique can play a huge part in your all round interview performance. So use the following tips to ensure your
technique is not the thing holding you back:-
- When answering interview questions, relate parts of the job description to relevant experience on your CV.
- Ensure you utilise the research you have done and quote it where appropriate.
- If you face a panel interview, make sure you talk to everyone rather than directing your answers at one person.
- Never mention salary unless prompted to do so
- Always let the interviewer finish speaking before giving your response.
Ask questions
If you don’t ask questions, an interviewer will assume you’re not really interested in their company. Ask an
intelligent question towards the beginning of your interview to demonstrate that you've researched. Then ask a few
more at the end of the interview. Also spend some time checking the company website for recent press releases, product
launches, career biographies and awards etc as these all spark talking points.