1. Be Yourself!
No one likes a faker, especially not interviewers. If you pretend to be someone you're not, either they will see right through you or eventually they will. There will be skills that you are not familiar with and showing the enthusiasm to learn is better than saying you can perform and not being able to. Being yourself also means showing off (in a non-arrogant way) about everything you're good at as well e.g. Advanced Microsoft, Excellent Phone Manner, Hardworker, etc. Sell yourself instead of promising things that you might not be able to achieve.
2. Learn Your Stuff!
Interviewers like it when you have done your further reading, it means that you are mentally prepared for the role. If it's a job interview, learn about the company and the tasks you will be carrying out. University interview? Be sure to read about the modules which is available in the university prospectus and do some research on the topics so lecturers know that you are ready to learn and do the extra mile. Also prepare for interview questions and answers, as it saves you from being put on the spot with nothing in mind. Best place to find these is Google, just practice and practice them.
3. Dress Smart!
Not casual smart, smart smart! Invest in a good comfy suit or blazer and business trousers and skirts. These will be your best friends for the first few years of interviews. Dressing smart is essential for interviews as it means you are taking the job seriously. First impressions are everything and turning up for an interview in a creased shirt, baggy jeans and messy hair is never a good sign.
 |
| My Standard Interview Outfit |
4. Be Punctual!
Make sure you plan your journey to the interview location well in advance, or ensure you are set up for a Skype or phone interview in a quiet place with no disturbances. Arriving early or just on time means that the interviewer can rely on you to be on time for the job. If you are running a bit late, just phone in and let them know so they can reschedule their timetable if the interview does overrun.
5. Strong Handshake!
If you have ever go through an agency for a job, you are reminded again and again that a handshake has to be strong. Even though it is mainly psychological, by having a strong handshake, you are showing your assertiveness and confidence. A weak handshake is usually attributed to a weak personality, so work on that handshake!
6. Be Positive!
No one likes a negative person who brings the mood down. Try to be positive about yourself and your experiences, there's always another way to phrase things. Bad mouthing or being rude about a previous job would rub of negatively on yourself. Instead, talk about what you learned and enjoyed about your previous experiences.
7. Prepare Questions!
Interviews will almost always end with interviewers asking you if you have any questions. If not, you should take the initiative to ask. Not only do you find out more about the company and your role, but they will also see your genuine interest in the role. Make sure questions are appropriate, I usually like to ask what kinds of training would I be given, and the career path I might be able to achieve in that role.
8. Be Polite! To Everyone!
See that person walking past you whilst your waiting for your interviewer. He could be the cleaner, or the CEO. By being polite and positive to everyone heightens your chance of making a positive impression on not just your interviewer, but the whole company.
9. (Optional) Ask for a Glass of Water!
I personally find myself to be a lot calmer after drinking some water whilst waiting for my interviewer to arrive. It is also especially helpful if you rushed to the location in order to arrive on time, a glass of water will help cool you down!
~
Hopefully you will find these helpful. Is there something I've missed out but has worked for you? Why not mention it in a comment below :)
Tiny
No comments:
Post a Comment