Interview Tips
What Employers Want to Know About You
- Why have you chosen this company over another, similar company?
It's worth doing your research into the core values and culture of the company that you have applied to. If possible, speak to people who already work there. - What are you offering?
How does your knowledge and skills enable you to be part of the solution and not part of the problem? Work out what you are bringing to the party before you arrive. - What sort of person are you?
Are you easy to work with? Are you likely to share the same values as the rest of the company? - Why you and not someone else with equivalent skills and experience?
Are you more effective, prepared to go the extra mile? What? Establish this before you arrive. - Is your price right?
Are you more expensive than your superior or anyone else applying for the job? It's worth researching salaries both inside and outside of the organisation.
In the Interview
- Look Your Best.
Clean, well-presented people are generally considered to be more employable by interviewers.
- Say What You Mean.
Your goal is to appear confident and to be credible. When talking to an interviewer address them by their name. Avoid talking for more than two minutes. Appear keen but not desperate for the job.
- Be Completely Prepared!
Be prepared to answer questions about yourself, and your background. Interviewers will need to satisfy themselves about your motivation for applying for the job, and your ability to do the job itself.
- Work On Your Handshake.
You should reflect your interviewer's handshake. Meet firm with firm etc.
- Establish Good Eye Contact.
Eye contact is the most remembered element in forming an impression of someone. Try to maintain direct eye contact with the interviewer.
- Tune Into Your Body Language.
7% of our feelings and attitudes come from the words we use. 38% from our voice, and 55% from our facial expressions. Identify the little things you do when you are tense, for example twirling a lock of hair or playing with a pen. Train yourself to correct these behaviours. Sit squarely in the chair, feet on the floor and shoulders straight. Do not slouch or jiggle your feet!
- Telephone Interviews.
Some companies carry out preliminary interviews on the telephone. If you are invited to telephone for an application form, have your CV and other information ready in case you find yourself being interviewed! Don't be nervous! To calm your nerves try standing up during the conversation, as this is generally believed to have a positive effect in the way you communicate. Be confidant and smile, it actually affects how you sound at the other end.
- Finally, Be Yourself.
You will be more relaxed.