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Interview Tips

1. Be on time
   
   Practise getting to the venue to see how long it will take. There might be problems with public transport, the traffic might be heavy, but however reasonable your reasons for being late are, your chances are reduced if you are late. Always remember that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. If worst comes to worst and you are going to be late, then definitely ring in and let the interviewer know.
    
2. Be Prepared
   
   Before your interview find out everything you can about the company (read their website, annual report, press releases etc). Go there having some information the prospective employer does not expect you to have.
   
   Re-read your application, thinking through your own career and the questions you might be asked. Prepare answers to any trick questions you could think of, things like 'why do you want to leave your present job" and 'what are your worst weaknesses". Make sure you respond with questions of your own, based on the research you have done in advance, giving them a chance to talk about the company.
    
3. You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
   
   SMILE! Dress professionally in simple business attire. And don't forget that firm handshake and to maintain eye contact - without glaring!
    
4. Be honest
   
   There really is no point lying about your background and/or skills. Job interviews are about matching needs - if there isn't a good match; then chances are that the job won't work out.
    
5. Talk about specific achievements
   
   You need to be able to back your answers up with specific examples of how you have created value for your current/previous employer. Depending on the type of job you are applying for, you might be asked for specific examples of things you've done that you're particularly proud of; how you’ve solved problems; how you’ve managed people or budgets, how you’ve learned - and improved - from difficult situations.
    
6. Be enthusiastic and positive
   
   Don't criticize previous employers, particularly within the industry. Focus on positive achievements. To do well at the interview you will need to convince the interviewer you are technically qualified to do the job, but also that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job done well and that you will fit in with the company's organisational structure and the team in which you will work.
7. Leave a positive final impression
   
   The way you say goodbye can leave a good impression for when they talk about you afterwards. Make sure that your handshake and smile are really warm and say something about how stimulating you found the interview. You might briefly try to gauge their feeling by asking what happens next (without being at all pushy).
   
   If in these final words you can include some phrase that summarizes the path of the interview, again without leaning too hard on their patience, then that would be in your favour too. Maybe something such as 'I really like your plan for the new product roll-out strategy; it's just the kind of thing I have been working towards in the last two years…" They might, after you leave, be scoring the interview to help them distinguish each candidate; a memorable moment or comment helps them to do that - and it doesn't have to be spectacular.

For more interview tips, please enter your name and email address below to receive my complimentary 5-Day Interview Success E-course.

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