Interview Techniques-Unit 9

What to do:

• dress smartly, look bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently. First impressions really do count - studies show that employers make a decision about whether to hire you within the first seven minutes on average
• find out where the venue is beforehand, how to get there and how long it takes
• get your outfit ready the night before
• find out what kind of interview it will be so you can prepare
• examine the person specification and your CV/application form, and think about what type of questions they will ask you
• prepare answers for the main questions - for example, why do you want the job, what are your strengths and weaknesses, what are the main tasks in this job?
• make about three or four points in each answer
• quote real examples of when you've used certain skills - just saying you've got a skill isn't enough
• take your time when answering the questions: make sure you understand the question and take your time if you need to think
• sell yourself: no one else is going to! Be positive about yourself and your experiences
• prepare some questions to ask at the end of the interview - use it as an opportunity to find out more about the role and the company. (Don't ask about money or perks just yet!)
• when discussing salary, know your market worth and start by quoting a little higher than this
• get feedback on your performance, whether you were successful or not
• turn off your mobile phone: treat the interviewers with respect and give them your undivided attention
• keep your answers focused on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you

What not to do:

• don't be late
• don't swear or use slang words
• don't slouch in your seat or do anything that makes you look uninterested
• don't smoke
• don't lie: the interviewer may see through you. Even if you get the job, your employer can dismiss you if they find out that you have not been honest
• don't let your nerves show too much; a few nerves are normal but extreme nerves will affect your performance. Use breathing techniques and try to remember that it's not a life and death situation - there are plenty of jobs out there!
• don't be arrogant and assume you've got the job. Nothing turns off employers more than someone who is disrespectful and over-confident
• don't discuss controversial topics such as religion, politics and gender relations
• don't read from notes or your CV — you should be familiar enough with your own history to be able to talk about it unprompted
• don't criticise former employers or colleagues. Interviewers may mark you down as a troublemaker and a gossip
• don't argue with the interviewer, no matter what. Remember to keep things positive!