Dress smartly, look bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently. Don’t forget that in the first few minutes only 7 per cent of the interviewer’s opinion of you is formed by what you say – the rest is judged on how you look, act and sound.
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 lie. Even if you get the job, your employer can dismiss you if they find out you have not been honest.
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