Monday, October 01, 2007

Interview techniques

Learn about the company

So you’ve been offered an interview and this is one of many jobs you are applying for. Just like an exam preparation an interview should be practised and you should know what you are talking about. Try preparing by reviewing your application submission. Focus on the key skills were they interested in, think of some examples that will demonstrate these skills and your application of them. Next read about the company. Find out what they do, how they do it, how many offices they have, how long they have been in existence. This is basically a sales technique, a good sales person knows their client and in your case the employer is the client. You need to show them that you know who they are, what they are looking for and how you can provide solutions for them.

Arrive on time

Sounds simple but a huge number of people don’t. Don’t leave anything to chance, get there early, have a coffee around the corner and wait. Don’t start an interview with, “I’m sorry, the car had a flat tyre, I caught the wrong train or my daughter was teething”, it will cause them to form an immediate opinion of your reliability. Do they really want to hire someone who can’t even make their very first appointment on time?

Look professional

Dress with confidence and appropriately for the job. Don’t wear anything too tight, uncomfortable or brand new that you’ve never worn before. Wear something that makes you feel good about yourself and makes you look professional. Even if you have an interview as a mechanic don’t wear dirty ripped clothes, you don’t need to wear a suit but make sure you look clean, presentable. Show them respect and look like you have made that extra effort. Don’t chew gum, carry your soft drink bottle with you or eat lollies while waiting. Stand straight, sit straight and look like you are meant to be there.

Introduce yourself

If the first person you meet is the receptionist make sure you don’t dismiss them in your nervousness. Always be friendly and polite as it shows professionalism and on top of that their opinion may be sought by the interviewer to assess first impressions. Once you meet your interviewer shake hands firmly without causing pain, smile, introduce yourself and speak with confidence. Tell them who you are, why you are here and compliment then on their offices / warehouse / view. You are there to sell yourself so even if you’ve never been this way inclined in your life try and be a salesperson for the day, without going overboard. Keep the commentary professional.

Use positive body language

Smile, lean into the person talking to you (not too much though) and nod when appropriate. If they make a joke laugh but not too much. Interact with your interviewer. Most people get nervous and sit there frozen and unresponsive. Try and remember that the interviewer is just a person and they are probably keen to talk to someone who is confident relaxed and not afraid to smile.

Follow through

When leaving ask them what will happen now, what sort of process are they following. Tell them that you are keen to be in contact again and leave on a positive note. Tell them you look forward to working with them. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there the worst that can happen is you don’t get the job. Remember to thank the interviewer for their time on your way out.

Some people have performed so well in the interview stage that even if they were not the best candidate for the job on that occasion they have been offered other positions within the company because the interview just ‘had to have them’ working there.