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Recruitment Provider of Mature Office Personnel - London, UK
Monday, 23 July 2007
How to shine at your next job interview (And thank goodness for Google)
Hey, well done you.
You’ve got the interview you wanted. Now how do you make the most of it?
Remember this before you set-off: It is estimated that 30% of an employer’s opinion of a candidate is formed within the first 30 seconds of the interview – ouch!
But follow this checklist and you will substantially improve your chances of success.
1: Do your research. Learn as much as you can about the requirements of the role you seek. Read up on the company. Learn a bit about the sector in which the company operates so you can drop in a few industry jargon words and thus set yourself up to ask some intelligent questions of your own about the organisation. Thank goodness for Google. It’s a massive help with this research. If you don’t have internet access get yourself down to the library and do some swotting.
2: Show respect for your interviewer and the company by dressing smartly – and get there in good time, but not too early.
While you are waiting you could visualise the worst-case panic scenario and imagine how you would cope with it. (Then if it happens you will handle it.)
3: Smiling is contagious. And when you introduce yourself do it clearly, accompanied by a firm confident handshake.
4: Breathe deeply and slowly and silently. Sit up straight and don’t cross your legs or arms. Keep your hands and jaw relaxed and speak slowly.
5: Regular eye contact with the interviewer is important.
6: When asked a question it’s important not to just come out with the very first thing that comes into your head. Take the time to think and give a considered response.
7: Answer clearly and concisely; keep it simple and stick to the point of the question. Be enthusiastic all the way through and never interrupt.
8: Try and relax. A relaxed candidate is a confident candidate. You are only being interviewed by another member of the human race, after all.
But if you do start to panic just pause. Take a moment to tell yourself silently that you can get through this successfully and carry on when you are ready. The interviewer probably won’t even notice.
9: NEVER discuss salaries, benefit packages or holidays on the first interview but don’t be afraid to ask other relevant questions at the end.
After the interview:
Welcome to the waiting game. And if that letter drops onto the doormat offering you the job, make sure you get the full offer in writing including all benefits BEFORE you resign from a current job.
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the letter, don’t be afraid to ask questions before you sign and return it.
And if you are rejected?
At least you know that you did your best. You will not always be successful, no matter how good you are or what qualifications and experience you have. Often ‘personality-fit’ plays a part in selection.
If you get a rejection notification always contact the recruitment agency or the client to ask for feedback. You need to know what went wrong and you need honest answers to that question. Criticism may hurt but you can learn and benefit from it in the future. Keeping a positive attitude is the key.
The US Department of Labour reckons that almost 50% of job seekers get their jobs through referrals – which means they got inside help!
A job interview is a long way removed from being a popularity contest. If you are the right person for the job you’ll get it. If not, you won’t. It’s just business.
Every rejection is just a step on the road to finding another job.
Any Workshop readers with job-related questions and challenges can contact Forties People on: 0207 329 4044 , 01923 212444 or via email for free help and advice.
Workshop Thought For The Week:
‘I am exhausted if I don’t work’
Pablo PicassoLabels: Article, HamHigh, Interview, Workshop
posted by Forties People @ 13:17
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