Appropriate dress wear
Regardless of how experienced and knowledgeable we are, job interviews will instil fear into a lot of us. It is the one opportunity to impress your potential future employer and demonstrate that you have the experience, skills and personality that they are looking for.
First of all, make sure youre dressed to impress - choose appropriate clothes for both the company you are visiting and the role you are applying for. Weve heard of candidates going to interviews in everything from ball gowns to brightly coloured cowboy boots. This will make you memorable, but for all the wrong reasons.
However its not just the interviewer you need to impress. It is worth entering interview mode not just when youre in the interview room but when youre within a perimeter of the office. You never know who you may share a lift with or see in the coffee shop next door. Many employers also ask receptionists their opinion of candidates so be professional to anyone you may encounter.
Interview questioning
Once in the interview dont forget that it is a sales pitch you are selling your skills and abilities to the employer. Its important to get the balance right; be confident enough to show you can do the job, but not too confident that you could be perceived as arrogant.Honesty is important but at the same time make sure youre only giving information that is relevant and that the interviewer needs to know i.e. highlight your strengths, not weaknesses.
As any HR professional involved in hiring will know, an interview should be a conversation so its important to listen and answer questions but also to ask questions. Always have a few positive questions prepared for the end of the interview to demonstrate that youre keen to get the job and to learn about where it would lead.
Difficult interview questions
Its of course essential to prepare for interviews to know as much as possible about the company, to have a copy of your CV with you and to know how to answer some of the common and predictable interview questions.Some are harder to answer than others, and if any ask you a negative question, like what part of your job you like the least, try and turn the answer into a positive. For example the admin side of the job isnt the most challenging but I know its a vital part of the role that needs to be done. Then there are the more bizarre questions: how many windows are there in London? or if you were a drink, what would you be?
There is of course no correct answer to these questions, they are designed to test your ability to cope with pressure and to demonstrate a logical thought process, so keep calm and answer as best you can.
Body language and gestures
It may sound obvious to anyone with a professional background but its crucial to make sure your phone is switched off in an interview. There is nothing worse than that buzzing sound coming from your bag or jacket pocket its both off-putting and unprofessional. If you do leave your phone turned on, do not answer it. One candidate who had got to the third interview stage once answered his phone during an interview as he believed it showed he was busy and in demand. It actually knocked him out of the running for the position.Also, be aware of your body language. A recent survey by careerbuilder.com said that body language mistakes could distract from what youre saying, or worse demonstrate youre not confident that you can perform well in the interview, and consequently the job. Top of the list was a lack of eye contact, along with not smiling and too many hand gestures (leading to many knocked over cups of coffee or stacks of paper). Finally if asked if youre interested in the position, say yes. An offer can always be rejected afterwards and there will be a slim chance of receiving an offer if the employer does not believe you want the job.