TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Interview tips
Here are a few tips for your next successful interview.
Do your homework:
Visit the company's website and browse through the "About Us"
section to get a good idea of who they are and what they do.
Practice makes perfect:
Rehearsing is a great way to put your nerves at ease. It will build confidence
and communication skills and help you get your thoughts straight. Rehearse
again and again until you feel your answers are flowing.
Use the "behavioural interviewing"
technique:
When the question requires the interviewee to provide an actual example
from their work or life experience. Questions will start with words such
as "Tell me about a time when..." or "Give me an example
of ...” The technique is built on the theory that best predictor of future
performance is past performance.
Pre-interview check:
Before the interview, find out the name and title of each and every person
you will be meeting with. Memorize the names. Again, your recruitment
consultant should provide these. If you are dealing directly with the
company, it's perfectly acceptable to ask its HR department to provide
these details.
Appearance:
Take extra care with your appearance. Ensure your clothes are clean and
well ironed. Check for stains, stray threads and loose buttons. Avoid
visual distractions such as loud ties, chipped nail polish, heavy make
up, sheer fabrics, heavy ear rings, jewelry that jangles, overpowering
fragrances and unwashed hair or hair that flops into your eyes or needs
constant pushing back.
Feeling good:
On the morning of the interview, go for a walk or spend some time doing
stretches. You will breathe deeply, which will help you relax, have better
posture and therefore look the part of the successful candidate. On the
way to the interview, walk tall and smile. Strangers will smile back at
you and the receptionist at the interview firm will be nice to you. By
the time you hit the interview, you'll feel good. Remember, some butterflies
in the stomach are okay. Fear and excitement both cause butterflies so
tell yourself those flutters are excitement.
During the interview:
- Don't say anything negative about a past employer.
- Don't interrupt anyone.
- Keep your answers relatively short and to the point. If the interviewer wants more information, he or she will ask for it. By the same token, try to avoid answering with just a "yes" or "no".
- Maintain good eye contact. If there is more than one person at the interview, talk to both or all of them - no matter how junior or seemingly incidental.
- Prepare something for when you are invited to ask questions. Two to three questions is enough. Sound questions could include who you will be reporting to, questions about the team you would be joining, career path options, projects you could be working on. Salary and benefit questions are best saved up until you have ultimate bargaining power - at the very least, second interview stage. The point of ultimate power is the time between being offered the job and accepting it.
- Think carefully before accepting a drink. You might find yourself in a chair without arms and out of reach of a table balancing a coffee, tea or glass of water throughout the interview .
- Smile - whenever appropriate of course.
