Archive for December, 2009

If you’ve done the right preparation and make a good first impression you now need to press home that advantage.

Couple of obvious things first, look at the interviewer, listen to what they say, try and be open and relevant with your answers, speak clearly and let the interviewer run the interview!

There are many different types of interview both face to face and telephone. I will cover the details in depth elsewhere but they can include, Behavioural Interviews, Competency interviews, Panel Interviews, Group Interviews – if you arranged the interview through a recruiter or direct yourself, ask, in advance, what to expect.

Whatever the form of the interview, one very important thing you must keep in mind at all times, to get to this stage the interviewer thinks you can do the job!

They will use the interview to confirm this.

There are hundreds of questions they could ask you, however they phrase them, they are trying to answer these three simple questions:

1. Can you do the job -do you have the right skills and experience?
2. What is your attitude and commitment to work like?
3. Does your personality fit in to their culture?

If you have done your preparation in enough depth you will already have identified your key strengths and skills and how they relate to this company and this role. This is your chance to communicate this to a future employer.

Every answer you give and the way in which you answer should be answering one of these three questions.

You will also get the opportunity to ask questions, use this chance but think about what you ask!

If you don’t ask any questions what do you think the interviewer will think?

If you ask about the number of holidays or what the policy for sick days is, what do you think the interviewer will think?

Ask intelligent questions that you want to know the answer to that will help you make an informed decision.

We talked here about first impressions. They are very important, so are last impressions, leave on a positive note!

If you’ve read all three posts (thanks, I’m not sure how many people will have got this far!) you will notice one thing, there is no big secret! It’s all very simple stuff, prepare thoroughly, think about the messages you want to convey, be positive, be friendly and try to make friends!

Written by Richard Morgan, Remit Resources

OK, so you’ve got the interview and done your research.

The next issue is presentation.

First thing, what time to arrive?

Aim to be sitting in reception 10 minutes before the interview starts (no earlier and no later).

No interviewer wants you to arrive earlier than 10 minutes. People are busy, it’s inconvenient and sub consciously what does it say about you!

Being early is great, I recommend it, but wait outside their office.

On this point, (I know it’s obvious but so many people do it!) don’t be late. There are no excuses, if the train was late, the traffic was bad it doesn’t matter to the interviewer. Think about how you are going to get to the interview, parking, train times etc. in advance. In my experience 99% of people who are late for an interview do not get the job. If there is any chance you are going to be late you must call ahead to let them know ASAP .

We’ve all heard the clichés “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” or “first impressions count”. Overused, yes! True, yes! There is also a fact about 93% of communication is non-verbal of which 55% is visual, I’m not sure I agree with those numbers but I think the message is loud and clear – first impressions count!

This doesn’t mean you need to be in a Savile Row suit but you do need to be smart, suit shirt tie (top button done up!) clean shoes, tidy hair! The rule here is dress smart and professionally, the dress code might be casual when you start work but you can’t be overdressed for an interview (again it goes without saying but you’d be surprised how many people don’t do this).

Be friendly! To everyone, you never know who you might meet. Be especially friendly to the receptionist, they can have an influence. If you are sitting in reception for 10 minutes speak to the receptionist, you might find out something interesting about the company, you will definitely get a feel for what it’s like to work there and a friendly 5 minute conversation really does calm the nerves!

Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake (I know another cliché!), make eye contact, smile and be friendly! To repeat, first impressions count, whether you believe the stats or not the fact is they are going to make their mind up pretty quickly if they like you or not. These initial exchanges make the differences between a relaxed successful interview or not.

The interviewer will normally ask “How are you?” the answer “how do you think I am, I was made redundant 6 months ago, can’t find a job, we’re in the worst recession on record and I’ve been stuck in traffic for the last 30 minutes and don’t get me started on house prices” whilst quite possibly being technically correct isn’t as effective as “great thanks how are you”.  Be positive, people want to work with positive people!

This also might be a chance to show some of your preparation, you might want to comment on a news article or award they have just won (something positive!). Think about this part of the interview, it’s often an area that gets forgotten but it is your chance to make that first impression.

If you prepared properly you will have a fair idea of the first couple of questions and you will be well on the way to getting the job!

Written by Richard Morgan, Remit Resources