You should aim to be the most prepared interviewee on the day. There are school boy errors that you have to avoid if you are to be successful at securing the post. These tips will help you to do that.
1. Make sure that you look the part. If you dress smart you will think smart. You certainly wont be getting the job if you turn up in slashed jeans with egg stains all over your unironed tee shirt. It may not be right, but these are the rules. Pay attention to the smallest of details when it comes to dressing smart for your interview.
2. Ensure that you are throughly prepared for the standard questions that they are likely to throw at you. If you get a question that seems a bit random – don’t panic, it will be there to test you and all the others. Think fast and talk smart – but don’t panic. If you get a question that is a gimme and one that you should be expected to have expected – then be prepared to nail it.
This includes your resume as well. If the interviewer asks you about a previous job you have listed on your resume and you can’t remember because it was so long ago, you will only make yourself look bad and unprepared. Brush up on everything that you have listed on your resume – it’s fair game for your interview.
3. Talking about salary too soon. Don’t jump the gun regarding salary. Wait until the interviewer gets to know you a bit and or asks you about it before you start talking about it. If you are only want the job because of the money, your it will show and hurt your chances of getting the job. Most often there are several candidates who are competing for the same position you are. The company isn’t going to give the job to the person who is only in it for the money.
It is fair enough that you will want to discuss your remuneration – just do it at the right point and in the best way.
4. Never turn up to your interview late – it is career suicide. You should do whatever it takes to leave on time. Most of the time, being late is about leaving late, it’s not about the traffic or the train. However, do print off the directions and maps ahead of the day, so that you have them all to hand when you need to leave your house or flat.
5. Never lie. Somehow the truth is likely to be revealed – either through the words that you utter or in your body language. A decent interviewer is likely to spot this and your chances will be fatally damaged.
6. It isn’t very clever to start gossiping about your previous company and the bosses there on the day of your interview. You need to focus on looking as if you are a professional and trustworthy colleague and not a snitch who is likely to spill the beans on them as well.
7. Having a bad odor. Bringing a strong odor into an interview can be very distracting. Don’t wear any perfume or smoke a cigarette right before your interview. You never know what kind of allergies the interviewer may have and this is not a great way to find out. Try not to smell like anything so your interviewer can concentrate on you instead the smell.
8. Being fidgety. If you are fidgety and anxious, the interviewer will sense your lack of confidence. Before you go into your interview, take a few minutes to collect your thoughts and take a few deep breaths. Make a point to make eye contact with the interviewer to create a good non-verbal connection.
9. Always listen careful to the question. It is critical that you answer the question that they deliver to you and not the answer that you wanted to hear. Although you can be flexible with the way you respond to the question, you must address the fear or concern behind the question.
10. Don’t try too hard. The panel will detect the fact that you are over eager, but you don’t want to appear too laid back either. It is a fine balance, but you need to stay focussed on the task at hand, which is to sell your skills to them and to gain rapport with the panel.
For more help with your interview skills, have a look at this consultant interview training site