Whether you are looking for a career move or change or even if you are thinking of applying for a new job within your existing company, it is very important that you make a good first impression on a prospective employer.
PREPARE YOURSELF
- Interviews are not only an opportunity for the interviewer to find out about you and your suitability for the position, but they are also an opportunity for you to find out about the organisation and if the position will provide you with the challenge and job satisfaction that you are looking for.
- Think about the skills, qualifications and experience that you possess that are relevant and valuable to the position you are applying for. You must be able to talk confidently about what is written on your CV.
- Prepare some questions to ask at the interview, however, at the first interview stage, try and restrict your questions to the details of the job and the organisation. It is wise to leave salary and benefit discussions to the second interview stage or when a job offer is made.
- Practice and preparation will assist you to develop the skills required to increase your effectiveness at interviews. Practice answering questions in front of a mirror, with a family member of friend or even video yourself in a mock interview situation in order to scrutinize how you come across to the interviewer.
- Practice your handshake to ensure that you are able to deliver a firm (but not bone-crushing) handshake both when you meet your interviewer for the first time and upon parting at the interview.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
- Find out as much about the company as possible prior to the interview. Look up their website and find out about the products or services that they offer, the number of employees, the location/s of their office/s and, if possible, their customers.
LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD
- Ensure that you are well groomed on the day of the interview, with tidy hair, clean shoes and appropriate clothing. Avoid wearing too much perfume or aftershave and keep jewellery and make-up simple.
- Dress in a smart business-like manner i.e. a suit.
- If you look good, then you feel good; it's as simple as that!
TRAVEL AND TIMING
- Make sure that you know exactly where you are going and that you have planned the journey beforehand.
- Take a trip to find out exactly where the premises are the week before the interview, at the same time as your interview is booked for, this will allow you to gauge any possible hold-ups on the day such as traffic etc.
- Allow for possible travel delays and make sure that you have your contact's telephone number, in order for you to contact him / her if you suspect that you are going to be late due to a major hold up