Career and Jobs Tips

Attend an interview can be a stressful, even for the majority of targeted candidates. Here are some tips and tricks to help a little pressure and can give you a little more than an advantage when it comes to your next interview.

First and foremost you MUST be prepared. Preparation is the key to interview success. Inadequate preparation can have serious negative consequences on your application.

Before moving onto advice for the interview itself, let’s briefly look at some of the most important preparation issues.

Do you know the format of the interview? For example how long it should last, who it will be with, will it involve group work and whether you need to specifically prepare anything?

Where and when it is to be held? What do you need to take? What do you need to wear? Do you know enough about the actual position you are applying for? Have you done your research on the job itself, matters associated with the job such as market conditions, profile, news and also the organization interviewing you?

What about your psychological preparation? Are you ready in yourself? Most people feel nervous about interviews but it’s important to remember that an interview is all about providing you with the opportunity to clearly display your suitability for a position. An interview gives you the chance of finding out more information about a job and the organization, to interview them and decide whether the position is what you thought it was and is something that you want to pursue.

The Interview

They say ‘first impressions count’ but to what extent?

Studies reveal that first impressions are made up of 55% visual impact, the way you dress, facial expressions and body language; 38% of a first impression comes from tone of voice, whilst only 7% is down to what you actually say. The conclusion: look good and act positively.

Last impressions are important too. Firm handshakes and warm sincere smiles can go along way, as can insightful and positive final comments that can help elevate you memorably above other candidates.

Between favorable first and last impressions through you need to manage your nerves. Breathing a little slower and deeper than usual and slowing your speech and deepen voice tone for gravitas early on will help. Go with the flow when it comes to etiquette and behaviour. Take the interviewers lead.

Be prepared for and aware of different interviewing styles, so that you can handle the interview accordingly.

You will likely be asked any or all of a range of different type questions. Some that seem trivial – ‘have a good weekend?’ and others that seem tricky, ‘what’s the biggest failure you’ve been involved in?’ Prepare questions of your own. Stay calm and considered, but be sure to appear engaged and interested. Never use bad language and never dwell on negativity or bash your current employer. Discretion is the better part of interviews.

Always remember that the currency of the interview is not what either you or the interviewer say – it’s largely the subtext and what that subtext reveals about you that will determine your success.

Related Posts

• Types of Job Interviews
  The following are job techniques used by hiring managers. One-On-One Interview In a one-on-one int...