The market has started with a bang in 2018 and there are some excellent opportunities out there with well known companies that offer great career path prospects. Job interviews are never easy, so here are some tips that will help you catch the job you want. The more prepared you are, the more chance you will have! Whether you have an interview with a Recruitment Agency or with a prospective employer, it is so important to follow these guidelines to give yourself the best chance of success!
1. Research
The more research you can do on the company the better. A couple of the most common interview questions candidates get asked is “What do you know about our company” and “Why do you want to work here’. Should be pretty straight forward, but you would be surprised at the number of people that don’t answer this question effectively because they haven’t done enough research! Interviewers can tell whether you have done your homework and if you are genuinely interested in the company and job.
2. Practice Practice Practice
If you are the type of person that gets nervous in interview, make sure you practice as much as you can beforehand. Have a look at the job description if there has been one provided and make sure you have recent and relevant examples to those duties and responsibilities.
3. Presentation
First impressions are everything. Dress for success! My advice would be to always dress corporately for an interview, whether the standard attire for the company is corporate or casual.
4. Punctuality
This is key. Make sure you know where the company is located; even do a practice drive beforehand if unsure. There is nothing worse than running late. You will get flustered, it doesn’t give the interviews a good impression that you are punctual – how will you turn up to work each day on time? It also shows that you didn’t do your research beforehand. Time is precious and there is nothing worse than turning up late. Also, it is never good to show up too early and be lingering in reception for a long period of time. If you are early, see if there is a coffee shop close by where you can go and relax and gather your thoughts before the interview. You want to radiate calmness in interview!
5. Communication
Articulate yourself well, think before you answer any questions and provide succinct relevant examples to the questions asked. If you aren’t sure of a question, take a few moments to pause and really think about the answer. And don’t waffle!
6. Smile
A genuine smile even if you are nervous goes a long way! It makes you look approachable and easy going. Believe it or not, most times, the interviewers are nervous also. It is scary meeting someone for the first time so the more relaxed and approachable you look the better.
7. Be yourself
This will give the interviewers the best chance of seeing ‘the real you’ You may even get asked what hobbies you have or what do you really enjoy doing on the weekends. Don’t be afraid to answer with a little bit of humour!
Lastly, try to relax, hard as it might be. If you have followed the above steps you will be truly prepared and ready for your next success!