Many candidates have either no experience of or no clear idea of what may transpire in an interview. We hope these hints and tips will help you achieve a more effective interviewing technique.
Before the interview...
- Find out as much as you can about the company.
Use the web, use the recruitment agency if applicable, use any contacts you may have. Try to find out about sales, number of employees, competitors, products and plans for the future. Check for any advertising they may be doing.
- Select an appropriate style of dress.
This can be a little difficult to judge in todays casual dress code market. First impressions still last and interviews are of a serious nature. I would suggest a smart, professional look.
- Develop a list of questions to ask when invited.
There is nothing worse than to be given the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge by asking some searching questions and to have nothing to say.
- Make sure you bring several copies of your CV - just in case!
- Make absolutely certain you know the exact location of the interview and how to get there.
IF you know you are going to be late ring and let either your recruitment agency if applicable know so they can inform their client or ring directly yourself. DO NOT not bother to turn up! Your recruitment agency won't touch you and their client won't either.
- Arrive ten or fifteen minutes early.
Absorb the atmosphere. Read anything on tables and walls. This time will allow you to relax, reduce your anxiety and mentally prepare. Take a few deep breaths and think of something pleasant.
- Make sure you know the name of the person who is interviewing you.
- TURN OFF your mobile, i-phone, blackberry etc! But.. if you have forgotten to do so and it rings - DO NOT TAKE THE CALL!
(A candidate once did this to me at interview. It ended there!)
