Interview Tips

The interview You are being interviewed because the employer wants to hire people - not because he wants to trip you up or embarrass you. Through the interaction that will take place during the interview the employer will be searching out your strong and weak points, evaluating you on your qualifications, skills and intellectual qualities and the interviewer will probably probe deeply to determine your attitudes, stability, motivation and maturity.

Some "DO'S" and "DON'TS" concerning the interview:

• DO plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
• DO remember to switch off your mobile phone.
• If the employer presents you with an application form to complete, DO fill it out neatly and completely. DON'T relax and rely on your CV or application or assume it will do your selling for you. Most employers will want you to speak for yourself.
• DO greet the employer by his surname. Give the appearance of energy as you walk. Smile! Shake his hand firmly. Be genuinely glad to meet the employer.
• DO wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair. Look alert and interested at all times. Be a good listener as well as a good talker. Smile...
• DO look a prospective employer in the eye while you talk to him.
• DO follow the employer's leads, but try to get the employer to describe the position and the duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background, skills and accomplishments to the position. Remember, although he is interviewing you, you should be interviewing him as well.
• DON'T answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no". Explain wherever possible. Tell those things about you which relate to the situation.
• DO make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual, logical and sincere manner. Stress achievements.
• DON'T lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as "to the point as possible".
• DON'T ever make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies. DON'T over answer questions. DON'T waffle.
• DON'T enquire about SALARY, HOLIDAYS, BONUSES, RETIREMENT, etc. on the initial interview unless you are positive the employer is interested in hiring you. If the interviewer asks you what salary you want, indicate what you've earned but that you are more interested in opportunity than a specific salary at the present.
• DO always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. NEVER close the door to an opportunity. It is better to be in a position where you can choose from a number of positions, rather than only one.

Negative factors evaluated by an employer

• Poor personal appearance.
• Overbearing - overaggressive - conceited "superiority-complex" -"know-it-all".
• Inability to express thoughts clearly - poor poise, diction or grammar. Too much waffling not enough content.
• Lack of planning for career - no purpose or goals.
• Lack of interest or enthusiasm - passive or indifferent.
• Lack of confidence and poise - nervousness.
• Over emphasis on money - interested in only the best money offer.
• Evasive - makes excuses for unfavourable factors in record.
• Lack of tact - maturity - courtesy.
• Condemnation of past employers.
• Failure to look employer in the eye.
• Limp, fishy handshake.
• Failure to ask questions about the job.
• Persistent attitude of "what can you do for me?"
• Lack of preparation for the interview. e.g. failure to get information about the company resulting in inability to ask intelligent questions.

Closing the interview for the job offer

• If you are interested in the position, ask for it, or ask for the next interview if the situation demands.
• Don't be too discouraged if no definite offer is made or specific salary discussed. The employer will probably want to communicate with us (the agency) first, or interview more candidates, before making a decision.
• If you get the impression that the interview is not going well, don't let your discouragement show. An employer may be genuinely interested in your possibilities without you realising it.
• Thank the employer for his time and his consideration of you. If you have answered the two questions uppermost in the employer's mind: (a) Why are you interested in his company? and (b) What can you offer? You have done all you can.

Last, and most important, call your consultant after each interview and tell him what happened, he will want to talk with you. If you are interested in the position, the consultant will help you to get it.