Top Interview Tips by Steve Burford
Many graduates see going for a job interview as a bit of an ordeal.
Does this describe you?
An interview can be a nerve-racking experience. You want the job you are going for and you are under pressure to perform.
For the better jobs there will often be first, second and in some cases third interviews.
First interviews will follow a brief telephone interview (telephone interview tips) and is used as part of an employer's screening process. Essentially they are 'getting rid of the bad stuff' and trying to find the good stuff (which is hopefully you). Only 20% of candidates get this far.
Second interview tips: Second interviews will look further examine your technical or specialist skills. They will give the chance for the owner, director or senior partner to rake a look at you. You need to be able to anticipate questions you'll be asked, have convincing answers and deliver replies professionally.
An employer will be looking for the following things from you:
- Will this person be able to do the job?
- Will you fit into the team?
- Are you enthusiastic and motivated?
The ability to the job is perhaps the most important part. This can come down to the work experience you have.
You need to guarantee your success by...
* Having extensive knowledge about the organisation you are applying to. * Having tip-top interview skills
* Making sure you fit well into the job. * Sell yourself professionally and enthusiastically.
The Interview generally follows a simple structure:
1. There is a formal start, introduction etc.
2. A middle - a carefully timed sequence of questions
3. An opportunity for you to ask questions (you must ask some!)
4. An end.
The formal start - making the right impression
Lets get this right and keep it simple.
You need to have the right appearance and body language. The morning of the interview make sure you clean up good, put on your best suit, a light touch of perfume/aftershave, some brightening eye drops and a good smile.
Wake up with an air of assertiveness, self-confidence and ready for the challenge ahead. Don't mention anything negative about yourself and if your interviewer brings up anything negative, turn it into a positive.
Speak with great communication skills. See the recommended books on NLP if you want to learn some more about this. Body language is important with communication skills. Make sure you sit in an open body position at a slight angle so not to cause confrontation. Lean forward slightly to show interest, main eye contact and relax!
Make sure your handshake is firm but not knuckle breaking.
It's Question Time!
The most common areas to be questioned upon are...
- About you
- About your academic record
- Your work experience
- Your career objectives, dreams and motives
- Your knowledge of the company you are applying for
- Your personal achievements outside work
To break this down further think remember these things:
* When you talk about yourself remember to be positive. Highlight your strengths and remember they will always ask you about negatives. Always turn negatives into positives. For example, you could say you are always too hard on yourself and expect too much from yourself. This is a negative easily turned into a positive.
* When asked about you're A-levels or degree you may be asked why you chose certain subjects. Answer clearly and concisely.
* When is comes to work experience then you are going to be asked questions on your main responsibilities, lessons learnt, what you found difficult, how you got on with your boss etc.
* Make sure you know why you want the job you are interviewing for, what other jobs you have applied to and where you want to be in 5 to 10 years time.
* IMPORTANT! Your knowledge of the organisation. What do you like about the company? What key issues need addressing? Why will you fit in?
* Make sure you have some personal achievements to hand. Travelling the world, charity work, stand up comedian, sports...
Turn the table around! It's your turn to ask some questions!
Some good ones are...
* Is there anything you have heard from me today that worries you that I wouldn't fit into this job role? (You then tell them why they are wrong!)
* Do you like working here? Why do you like it so much?
* What do you think the strengths of the company are?
* What scope is there for personal growth?
* What kind of people would I be working with if I got the job?
MOST IMPORTANTLY your questions should be showing the interviewer that you are very INTERESTED in working at their company. If you act like you are interested and that you have got other job offers and that you are trying to pick the best job for you (rather than them pick you), then you will seem more sought after.
THE END.
Thank the interviewer, say it was nice to meet them and do the obligatory handshake goodbye.
Make sure you send them a thank you email the next day re-iterating that you enjoyed meeting them and clarifying a couple of your positive points (subtly).
If you want telephone interview tips then please visit this site.
We provide more tips and deals on our weekly email.
This was written by Steve Burford of WealthyStudent.co.uk. This is a guide to top interview tips. See site for further tips and telephone interview tips.
About the Author
President of WealthyStudent.co.uk and expert in online saving and online services.
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