Congratulations your hard work has paid off. Your CV/covering letter have secured you an interview for the job of your dreams. What should you do now to ensure you get the role?
The Three P’s
My advice is simple. be prepared, be professional, and most importantly, be yourself. It goes without saying that you need to be calm, friendly, likeable and professional. But you also must be interesting, enthusiastic and able to talk about yourself in a positive manner, never overplay your skills or experience, but always be honest.
Sometimes you may need to rein in your natural instincts to portray yourself as the perfect fit. Also try to avoid saying that you want to job. Don’t be too eager. An interview is a two-way process. It’s not just about whether they want you. It’s whether you want them.
10 top job interview tips
For more help, I’ve put together ten top tips to help you to navigate the process so that you can shine:
- Do your research/homework. Find out as much as you can about the people interviewing you, the job and the organisation as a whole.
- Prepare questions to ask. These will highlight your interest and motivation and allow you to work out whether the organisation is going to be the right fit for you.
- Dress the part – often a job interview calls for you to wear professional, or business, apparel. It can be worth checking what this means with the organisation to avoid wearing inappropriate attire.
- Practice – try to have a trial run of your interview with family or friends, try to manage your stress/nerves and watch out for your body language and speech. Try to sit straight, no fidgeting, and speak at a clear and moderate speed. Use your hands to emphasise key points.
- Aim to arrive early – 10 mins is sufficient. This will enable you sit quietly, collect your thoughts and allow yourself to be calm and focused on the interview.
- Remember to listen careful to what you are being asked and use appropriate language in your response. Don’t be too familiar or overconfident. Take your time to ensure you have answered the questions to the best of your ability
- Be inquisitive. Show genuine interest, curiosity and willingness. It’s up to you to try to make as good an impression as possible.
- Don’t talk too much – remember it’s a conversation, so both parties need to have sufficient time to listen and speak.
- Sell your strengths and expertise, don’t falsify information and remember not to speak in derogatory terms about your present or former employers. Staying professional at all times is key to your success.
- At the end of the interview – thank those interviewing you for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. This demonstrates how serious you are about your application. Plus, don’t forget to ask or confirm what the next stage is – i.e., when you can expect to hear from them and get any feedback. This will demonstrate that you are engaged with the process.
How I can help
If you feel that you may need additional help, please get in touch – 07780 692784 or debby@total-spectrum.com. I offer interview preparation and coaching sessions, so you can get the job results you need.
