Some good interview advice.... (Interview Tips & Advice)

Member Name: lubi2406

Product:	Interview Tips & Advice
Date:	18/04/09 (119 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Its all practice!

Disadvantages: Interviews... a scary/nervous thing!

Interviews can be a really tough situation, some people really enjoy being interviewed, where as for others its a nerve racking situation! Some interviews can be really difficult, but if you prepare well then you can go in feeling good and come out feeling even better. Reaching the interview stage is a mark of success in itself. It means your CV has already identified you as a serious candidate. Having convinced the interviewer on paper that you are capable of doing the job, you now have the opportunity to demonstrate your suitability in a face to face discussion.

Don't think of the interview as a test. You are not simply there to answer questions. You are there to discuss the role with the interviewer and explore the extent to which your abilities and aspirations match the company's needs. It's as much about compatibility as competence. The interviewer needs to find out if you are right for the company, and you need to find out if the company is right for you. There are different sorts of interviews, some are very relaxed, more like a general chat. Others can be competency based, have assessments, tests, and a grilling set of questions.

There is a way you can learn to be good at interviews. As I work for a recruitment agency I tell people every day how to do well at there interview. Bear in mind that the interviewer may be just as nervous as you. For some people its their first time interviewing, and they clearly have no idea what to ask! But one thing is true about them all, they want to select the best person for the job. Your objective is to impress the interviewer by projecting a professional image and demonstrating your suitability for the job.

Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake and wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Be aware of your body language: sit up straight, maintain eye contact and avoid fidgeting or twiddling your thumbs. According to research, the interviewer will decide within just four to nine minutes whether to consider you seriously for the job. So, making a good first impression is vital. Always wear a suit or smart dress. It is best to be over dressed that under dressed. Wear minimum jewerelly and don't wear bright colours. You want them to concentrate on what you are saying not what you are wearing.

Show a real interest in the job, enthusiasm is important. Speak clearly and confidently and make sure that everything you say is factual and sincere.

Concentrate and listen very carefully to the questions. Don't ask for them to repeat any questions as this could make the interviewer feel that you haven't been paying attention. Instead, rephrase the key words and ask the interviewer to clarify what they mean. Avoid answering with a simple yes or no. Support your answer with relevant information from your experience and relate everything you say to the job you are applying for.
Do not speak negatively of other people or companies. It makes you look unprofessional.

Stay calm. Maintain a positive attitude throughout the interview, speak with energy and enthusiasm, and feel free to pause when you are thinking of appropriate replies. It is better to pause and think of a good answer and then speak, than to just blurt something out and not know what you are really saying. Keep your answers relevant and to the point.

Always make sure you have researched the company before hand, take it relevant literature, your CV, and any good references. These are things you should leave with them to read afterwards, unless they specifically ask you for them during the interview. Ideally, you'll have anticipated and prepared for difficult questions relating to your experience and capabilities. They may ask you a competency based question. These are questions that ask you how you would cope in a certain situation, or to give an example of something i.e "Can you give me an example of when you have had to motivate and run a team?" They want you to be very specific with your answers and explain to them clearly about when you have been in certain situations.

Prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview. These need to be intelligent questions. Avoid asking things such as "Where are you located" or "Can you tell me more about the job" as this makes it seem like you have come unprepared.

When leaving the interview don't let your guard down yet. You want the interviewer to remember you positively, so thank them for their time and consideration and tell them how much you enjoyed discussing the job with them.

It's important to convey that you really are interested in working for the company, because - all other things being equal - the job is likely to go to the more interested candidate. For example, you could say: "Mr. Jones, I find this opportunity very interesting. Your company is clearly doing exciting things and I believe that with my background and experience I could make a significant contribution to your team."

Tell the interviewer that you look forward to seeing him again, shake his hand and leave.

If you go prepared to an interview then you should be ok. Research different questions and answers and ask people at home to practice with you. Prepared answers are good, but you don't want to sound like a robot. Always prepare your strengths and weaknesses as this is something people struggle with.

If you are unsuccessful then just think of it as interview practice! And then get ready for your next interview!

Summary: If you don't succeed... try try again!