The Interview
Having impressed the HR manager with your professional CV, a fabulous covering letter and beautifully crafted application, you will then be invited for the all important interview.
Here is our quick guide to interview success:
- Know Your CV
Become very familiar with your CV so that you can talk about its contents enthusiastically and concisely. It's advisable to memorise all the key things you mention in your CV so you can back up any statements you make. E.g. key achievements, dates and names, profile statement etc.
- Know The Company
Find out all you can about the recruiting company in advance. Aim to look at the website, get an annual report or other marketing documents, recent press activity and speak to others! Find out who will be interviewing you - the job title will give you a better understanding of what questions may come your way.
- How Do You Meet The Company's Needs?
Interviewers are more interested in what you can do for the recruiting company, rather than what they can do for you. Go over your CV thinking about what value you can add. Match you skills and experience to what they are looking for and gather the evidence to provide you can make a positive contribution - rehearse your answers!
- Do You Know Where You've Got To Go?
It may be obvious, but even the most exceptional candidate will lose the job by arriving late. Don't forget to research practical arrangements. Do a dry run a few days before if you can.
- Do You Look The Part?
Aim to look smart and professional but dress appropriately for the job you are going for. Dress formally and err on the conservative side, but make sure you feel comfortable and confident!
On The Day
- Your Arrival
Don't allow yourself to get stressed by arriving late and feeling flustered. Take the phone number of the company in case you need it, get there 10 minutes early. Be polite to anyone you meet - consider that your interview begins the moment you walk through the door! Look at company literature in reception, which may generate last minute thoughts and ideas - deep breath and relax!
- First Impressions
Interviewer is only human and surveys often say we decide whether we like someone within the first 10 seconds. Regardless of your aptitude to do the job, you need to impress from the start.
- Body Language
Over 70 per cent of human communication is non-verbal. 'Negative' body language, such as fidgeting, holding your hand over your mouth or scratching your head, can suggest you lack confidence or are trying to hide something. Keep positive with your body language, good eye contact, speak clearly confidently and a good firm handshake helps!
- After The Interview
Don't forget that any interview is an opportunity to improve your interview skills, and your chances of future success.
Take notes about your impressions of the interviewers, the job and the company and your gut reaction. What worked well and what didn't?
Send a brief post-interview follow up letter mentioning your continued interest in the role and going onto the next stage.
If you were unsuccessful, it is a good idea to write or phone the interviewer for feedback, but make sure you're prepared to take criticism well.
Always remember
- You are at the interview because the employer wants you there. It's not goodwill, or charity - you earned the right to be there, so be confident in your abilities - you've just overcome the first step!
- Go into the interview, smile and shake the hands of the people who will be employing you. And for the love of God, try to remember their names!
- Be relaxed - especially important if the job you are going for requires client or customer contact - if you cant be relaxed while being interviewed, you will not get a customer / client related job. Don't pick your nose and put your feet up on the desk though - that's too relaxed.
- Think of something interesting to ask them. If it's a large company that has been in the press recently, then ask about it - read up on industry and sector news - it shows that you are keeping up to date with new developments and that you're on the ball.
- Try to relate your existing skills to the role that you are applying for (e.g., "oh yes, I did a similar thing at school/college/uni/a previous job...").
- Sell yourself. You are offering them a service, which they will have to pay you for. They are your customers. Go get them tiger!
- If you mess it up or for whatever reason and you don't get the job - chalk it up to experience and move on to the next interview. Don't let it set you back interview skills are learned and developed through experience, so don't dwell on your failures - but do learn from them!
The very best of luck,
your SkillsTrain Team.
|
Time for a new career?
SkillsTrain PC Engineer (A+) - CompTIA A+ Objectives