 |
 |
|
 |
 Interview Tips
Performing well at Interview
You need to convince the interviewer that you are the best possible person for the job. Prior to entering the interview room, you are unfortunately only another name on a list of potential employees. Your CV has generated interest - however there is nothing to set you apart from the other candidates at this stage. Make sure that by the time you come out of your
interview your name is at the top of the list: Remember - it’s always better to get a job offer and to then decide if it’s the right move for you. It may seem obvious, but don’t forget – you won’t have that option if you aren’t offered the job. Stay calm, think clearly and try not to let tricky questions and being under pressure put you off your stride. If you are
searching for an answer don’t worry about stopping to think for a few seconds. You response will usually be better than what you may have just blurted out!
Preparation
Make sure you know exactly where the interview will take place and the name and position of the person you are due to meet. Work out your route in advance and allow a generous margin of error in case of unforeseen circumstances. Check out www.streetmap.co.uk if unsure. Have the telephone number of the company handy so that you can let them know if you are running late – this is generally forgiven where as unannounced lateness generally isn’t. Find out roughly how long the interview will take and arrange other appointments accordingly – don’t leave your car on a meter and end up worrying more about being clamped or getting a ticket, than getting the job.
Research
Where we can, we include company information to help you prepare for your interview and better understand the company and the work it produces. However, you may find that digging a little deeper also boosts your confidence at the interview. A Company website is a potentially excellent source of suitable information. Being even a little knowledgeable demonstrates to the interviewer that you have gone to the trouble to see whether you’d fit into the team and make a successful ‘career’ out of a ‘job’. Make sure you ask intelligent questions in relation to the activities of the company, the responsibilities involved in the job, scope for career development and training etc – and try and avoid questions of the ‘how much holiday’ variety. We would also recommend that you should wait for your interviewer to mention money: They will know what you are looking for and
you will know what they are looking to pay beforehand. But if they ask, be truthful don’t over exaggerate, or on the other hand sell yourself short, honesty is normally the best policy.
Quiz Yourself
Time and again interviewers ask the same general questions in addition to those of a more technical nature. Common are “Why are you interested in this position?” “Tell me about your current boss” “What are the most satisfying/frustrating things about your current employment?” “What are your strengths/where do you think your weaknesses lie?”, “Why do you think we
should give you this job?” Where do you see yourself in 5/10years time?” Learn them, prepare your answers, and practice them on friends.
Dress to impress
People shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but they do, all the time. If you look untidy that’s how you’ll be remembered and first impressions really do count. Always wear a suit and tie or neat skirt/dress (as appropriate of course (!) and polish your shoes. Even if you are attending a second interview, and you know the organisation allows less formal work dress,
maintain a professional/formal approach, as you don’t know who you may happen to meet - the Managing Director perhaps.
Be assertive in a non-aggressive manner.
Find the right tone in which to present your positive aspects. You have to talk about your achievements to show you are the right person, but do it without being boastful. Try and use phases such as “I”, as in “I implemented this procedure” rather than “We” to demonstrate your skills and experience.
Turn weaknesses into strengths
Under no circumstances should you spend a significant portion of the interview criticising your current/past employer as this is viewed as negative and will definitely give cause for concern to a potential employer. Try and turn negatives in to positives i.e. “At my last company I felt too tied to one particular platform but what excites me about this role is the chance to work with Windows and Linux”. Don’t pretend you haven’t got any weaknesses, though because everyone has some. On the other hand don’t do yourself down, because you could be talking your way out of a job. Discuss your weaknesses as though you have recognised them and strive to overcome them. “I used to have bad time management, now I prioritise my workload first thing every morning”, “I like to take control and be involved in everything. I sometimes find it hard to delegate but when I have the results have been positive”
Have a positive attitude
Above all, do not wait until after the event to decide that you wished you’d tried harder to get the position. Always go in with the intention of getting an offer, only then do you really have the chance to weigh up how this opportunity compares with others. Many people, with the benefit of hindsight, have regretted they didn’t take a particular interview sufficiently seriously – don’t let yourself be in this “if only category”. Your Applause IT consultant should be able to help you with queries and
suggest useful tips on how to best impress the particular client in question. They have dealt with the client time and time again and will be an invaluable source of information.
A lot of this will be common sense, some of very new, but even if you learn
just one thing from this – you will greatly improve your chances of getting
the job you want!
|
|
|
|
|
