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Countless books and articles have been written on “winning at the interview stage”, yet jobseekers continue to make the same old mistakes time and time again. Read on, and learn…..
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Remember, your interview starts the minute you enter the building. It is not unheard of for Receptionists or Secretaries to be asked to assess candidates based on appearance, manners and demeanor on arrival, so ALWAYS be nice to the person who greets you, even if they seem to be the most junior underling in the com-pany – I do this with my staff. Take an interest in them and make small talk – comment on the weather, compliment them on what they are wearing, and smile. Don’t waste their time though – remember they have a busy job to do, so once you have exchanged pleasantries, sit down where you are told, and try to avoid looking too nervous. They will notice, and believe me; they will pass on anything especially positive or negative to their boss. |
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If on arrival you have arrived a bit hot and bothered as you have been rushing or it is a hot day, ask where the toilets are and go and freshen up – you will not look great if you go in perspiring and not looking cool and collected. |
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Presentation and appearance DOES matter. Ignore those who tell you that you have the right to dress, accessorise, talk and act as you please, that your facial piercing / tattoo / mohawk are an “expression of your individuality” and that employers will see beyond external appearances. Given two candidates of equal ability and experience, the job will invariably go to the one who is better presented; whose style fits best with the company. |
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Dress according to the job you are going for. Again, re-search is vital – find out what the company style is like (spy if you must). If a company’s employees are universally dressed in sober suits, it is not going to go down well if you arrive in a ditzy dress and killer heels or jeans & T-shirt. Always err on the side of caution when choosing your interview outfit – be smart rather than trendy, and keep accessories subtle. |
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Remember that the interviewer will almost certainly be older than you, so dress in a way that they will understand. Don’t make them feel past it by being too cutting edge, or by wearing anything that shows off too much of your youthful figure. Nobody wants to employ someone who is going to make them feel old, fat or boring every day of the week! So tone it down, or you risk aggravat-ing them by your mere appearance – they won’t like you, and if they don’t like you, they certainly won’t employ you. |
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You don’t need to spend a fortune on your interview outfit, but make sure that your clothes are clean and ironed, shoes polished, and socks match. Brush off any pet hairs before leaving home, and give your shoulders a quick check immediately before arriving at the interview – dandruff flakes are not a good look. Always remove piercings, cover up tattoos and tone down radical make up. You can always put them back in once you’ve got the job. |
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Approach family, friends or former colleagues and ask them to give you an honest appraisal of your personal style. Think carefully about who you can ask – and go for the person who will actually tell you if you have halitosis (bad breath) – and avoid the people who will want to avoid hurting your feelings. After all, what are a few hurt feelings in the short term compared to unemployment in the long term? And at least you can do something about your halitosis – that’s a lot more easily to sort out than your home being repossessed because you can’t get a job and therefore can’t pay the mortgage. |
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If you smoke, try not to have a cigarette immediately before the interview. It may steady your nerves, but bear in mind that your interviewer may be a non-smoker, and there is nothing more off-putting than someone who enters the room wafting the aroma of stale cigarette smoke. That applies to your clothes as well as your breath – stale cigarette smells are unpleasant – I know, I used to be a smoker! |
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It might not be good idea to have a spicy meal the night be-fore the interview as it can affect some people, especially garlic smells. |
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Practice your handshake and opening greeting. A damp, limp handshake does not make a good first impression. Your handshake should be firm (not bone-crushing), and remember to make eye contact with the interviewer as they shake your hand. If your hands are prone to sweating, make sure you wipe your hands before entering the interview room. Your opening greeting should be formal – and address them as Mr / Miss / Ms to start out with – if they are happy for you to use their first name, they will invite you to do so. |
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Body language can give away so much about you and you want to exude confidence. Sit up straight, don’t slouch, don’t fidget, bite or pick your fingernails (or anything else!). Make eye contact, and smile where appropriate. |
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The way you talk can make or break an interview. It’s not just what you say, but the way you say it. Make sure your interviewer can understand what you are saying – if you have a strong accent you might want to try talking a bit more slowly than usual (practice this), and avoid the use of “street” talk or slang like the plague. You might find it useful to note that in a survey recently commissioned by TipTopJob.com, over 43% of respondents said that they would disguise a regional accent in order to get a job – so if you don’t out of some sort of misguided principle, rest assured that the competi-tion will, which may place you at a disadvantage. Remember, it is likely that your interviewer will be older than you, and may find this sort of talk incomprehensible, or worse, offensive. Likewise, you know nothing about their personal life, so avoid comments that be interpreted as being blasphemous to any religion, homophobic or racist. Swearing is also a no-no. |
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Try to avoid using cliché in your interview. Remember, your interviewer may have seen six other people before you, and they will all have used words like “passionate” and “110%.” In fact it can be dangerous to suggest to an interviewer that you are “passionate” about certain careers. Think of something original to say about yourself and you will stand out from the crowd. |
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Make sure you have done your research before the interview. Check the company’s website for new announcements on the morning of your interview if you can. Ensure that you under-stand the industry as well – who are their main competitors? What are the current challenges facing that particular industry? Armed with this knowledge, you will be ahead of the competition. |
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Don’t panic if you are asked a really tricky question. How-ever much research you have done, there is always the chance that an interviewer will throw you a curve-ball and ask something that you really struggle with. Even if you haven’t got a clue, it is vital that you don’t let it throw you off balance. Buy yourself some time by saying what an interesting question it is and ask if you could have a moment to think about your answer. Never, ever make something up, or waffle around the point. If you genuinely don’t know the answer, then say so, but say so with confidence and use it as an opportunity to explain what a quick learner you are. |
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On most interviews towards the end, the person will ask if you have any questions – always have a minimum of two and no more than five. It never sounds good when people have none or too many questions. The last question ought to be – am I a suitable candidate and are you likely to offer me the Job? At least it will give you a guide. |
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If you feel that the interview has not gone as well as you might have hoped, why not offer “whatever happens” to come in and do unpaid work experience for a couple of weeks. It shows ambition, enthusiasm and commitment, and once your foot is in the door, if they like you, they may keep you on. Alternatively, if you are experienced then try to secure a contract of employment against this trial period so it becomes seen as tied in with the interview. |
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Click here to go back to getting an interview in the first place
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