What to do in the end at the interview
If you are interested in the position, ask for it. Ask for the next interview if the situation demands for it. Make sure what the next stage always is, and if you are unsure then ask this in the end. Even if you are sure, you can still ask since this gives a proactive image of you. If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, don’t let your discouragement show. Interviewers do every now and then test your reaction, even though they might already be genuinely interested in you. Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration for you. Wish them a nice day/evening/weekend. Smile and leave the room confident.
Know yourself and your CV / Resume
Knowing you CV and ideal next career move requires you to be prepared and give evidence. In preparation for an interview, knowledge of your CV is the most important thing. It is your opportunity to set down situations where you have demonstrated how you added value to an organisation. If you have a firm grasp of your ideal next job, you will be ready for ANY interview. The person interviewing generally knows little about you except for what is in your CV. They will generally use your CV as a prompt to find out more about your career and your abilities. The CV is like the skeleton. You then have to dress it up by giving examples and explaining situations that happened in the past. You should be sufficiently prepared so you are able to tell a story about every point you make on your CV. Here we recommend you research the organisation you are being interviewed by, and not just for knowledge. Use the information you discover to develop questions to ask those interviewing you. Look for trends, study the financials and ask questions about strategy and direction. You can research organisations by reading the business press, reading their annual reports and prospectuses, talking with your networks, and the Internet. It does pay off.
Preparation is everything
After coming through all the hurdles of the selection process like the aptitude tests, which you can practice for by Signing Up for reasoning tests at www.aptitudetestsonline.com for only £4.99, you will eventually arrive at an interview. This is of course a major obstacle for many job applicants. Although they may have the qualifications, experience and a proven track record, they may lose out to a candidate who interviews better. Interviewing better comes down to the candidate being well prepared and confident. A candidate who can answer questions in a way which is acceptable to the interviewer, someone who knows something about their potential employers business and the post they hope to fill. These are really the basic components of any candidate who interviews well. There are undoubtedly other aspects employers may look for in relation to specific posts like having their own ideas, being articulate, thinking on their feet, aspects which will be related to the job and the company’s preference in employees. The employer will also be looking to fill a post, which has a particular job specification – in other words personal aspects besides the experience, and qualifications that can be put down on paper. The interviewer will set out to ascertain that the candidate has these personal qualities, skills and abilities the company requires. These two essential ingredients are interlinked. Good preparation instils confidence. So the basic approach to an interview is to be prepared. This means two things: preparing yourself practically for the interview and gathering knowledge and information you can draw on during the interview. Be sure you know the time, date and location of the interview and name of the interviewee where appropriate. Check out how you will get to the location and when you need to set off to be there in good time. You can do a dummy run if necessary. Have what you are going to wear ready in advance. Do not go to the interview laden down with baggage – psychological as well as physical. Take the bare minimum of belongings necessary. Concentrate on the interview at the interview and nothing else. If you are asked to bring certificates, references etc, get them ready before the day. You can also take copies already. This makes you look prepared. Take the interview letter with you. On arrival ensure the receptionist knows you are there, visit the toilets to tidy up etc. If you are well organised and have planned for the day your confidence will increase. The interview is a chance for you and the employer to get to know one another. It is not the time to get to know about the post or the employers business. Do gather information about your employer before you are interviewed – what they do, what their current projects are, what other interests they have? Ask staff, friends etc. Make sure you know what the job entails - get a job description, ask someone in a similar post, ring the company to clarify if unsure. Remember the employer is interested in you as a person, and your opinions. Do take time to sit down and think about yourself, who you are and what you have achieved. It can be highly embarrassing to know more about the employer than about yourself. Knowing yourself is the key to many things. Sit down with your CV and make notes, about your work record, what you have achieved. Look at yourself as a person in employment – how do you see yourself, what have you done, what ambitions do you have. Make notes and prepare and rehearse sound bites about yourself. Remember that one of the most common interview questions is “Tell me about yourself?”. Prepare an answer for this but this shouldn’t be a life history. Usually interviewers want to know about personal qualities and achievements. Examples of situations in where these qualities have been used should be mentioned as much as possible.
We will continue with interview preparation later this week with Part IV
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