During the summer break, some employers found it difficult to put interview panels together. So it is no wonder that many people are being called to interview now as we all get back to business. Here are eight interview tips to help you get that job.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
Treat your interview preparation as an assignment that must be completed by interview day. Review the job specification in detail, research the company, and prepare your examples ahead of time.
Get there on time
Plan the journey and do a test drive to make sure that you know where you are going, where you can park, or the distance from the nearest train/bus station.
Dress appropriately
A suit or dress and jacket, very little jewellery, and maybe a dash of fragrance is about it. Once you are dressed appropriately for the job, you can concentrate on the really important things, like impressing the panel.
Use your own language
The odd “um” and “ah” is fine in interview. What you do not want to do is start using words that are not part of your usual vocabulary. For example, “I instigated the re-imagination of our strategic direction”. Really? What does that mean? Keep it simple and in your own words.
Sell yourself
It does not come easily to most, but you have to sell yourself. Strong statements such as “I led”, “I managed”, “I started”, or “I developed” show your contribution and responsibilities. Add in some adverbs such as “successfully”, “efficiently”, “effectively” and you are adding value to those statements every time.
Stay positive
Even if you feel that you have lost your way in an answer or in the interview, keep your effort up and keep smiling. A positive attitude is an important quality in any potential employee. If you can stay positive in the face of difficulty, that will speak for itself.
Entry and exit strategy
In most interviews there is an opportunity at the start and end to really match yourself to the job. The first one comes in the guise of “tell us about yourself/CV” and the second comes at the end when asked “is there anything more you would like to add?” These are your chances to make your final case. Only focus on the relevant aspects of your CV in your introduction, and choose your three stand-out qualities at the end of the interview to seal the deal.
Evaluate and learn
Every interview you do is an opportunity to learn and do better the next time (even if you get the job ). When you leave the interview, write down a list of what went well, what did not, and why. Use this information to get better the next time.
Sli Nua Careers have offices in Athlone. Their services include CV preparation, interview training, job-searching strategies, public speaking and presentation skills, and career direction.
For more details call (090 ) 6403003 or visit www.slinuacareers.com/athlone
