Is your alarm clock set…and the snooze button deactivated? Things to do before an interview:
· Re-read over your CV to familiarise yourself with what you have noted down as achievements and valuable experiences. It would be very unprofessional to be offering answers that do not correspond with your CV.
· Dress for success. You would be surprised at how much the way we dress speaks volumes and influences the opinions of others. In most cases, an interview outfit should be smart from head to toe.
· There will not even be an interview if you don’t turn up! Set your alarm clock nice and early, giving yourself enough time for last minute preparation and to reach your destination. Always consider traffic, as well as the possibility of public transport delays.
· Catch yourself 50 winks. The night before your interview, make sure that you allow yourself a nice long sleep so that you are refreshed and on best form for your interview.
· Most interviews allow for a role reversal, which gives you the chance to ask the interviewer questions. This is where most candidates get stuck and decline the opportunity. But it is always best to have a relevant question at hand. It shows that you are excited at the prospect of working for the company and take a keen interest in what they do. You could perhaps enquire about the history of the company or the team that work there. Just be careful not to ask anything that you should already know. So check out the company’s website and social media networks beforehand!
· Interviewers love asking their candidates what their Strengths and weaknesses are. This is your time to boast (tastefully) and share with them what qualities you have that would benefit the company- try to back up statements with examples. When it comes to discussing your weaknesses, speak of them in a positive light. For example, if you take pride in attention to detail which subsequently means that you can sometimes spend a lot of time on one task, say how you take great care in the quality of your work and how you are unhappy submitting work that is not of a high standard. Never go in to an interview and say that you have no weaknesses, because everyone does.
· Mock interviews are essential in the preparation of an interview. Ask a family member or friend if they could ask you questions that are likely to be asked in the interview so that you can get used to answering them and build up your confidence. Don’t make yourself a script to memorise because you want your answers to come across natural on the day, but the extra practice will help you.
· Research. Going into an interview should be seen as a school project, in which you hope to be awarded an A+. With every great essay comes thorough background research. Before you get into the interview, you should already know key facts about the company- when were they established? What is their mission statement? It would be advisable to study their website to have a general impression of the company. It may also be worth researching the job sector they operate in and where they stand in regards to competitors. Linked in is also a great chance to see your interviewer’s background and again mention you have looked at their profile during the interview.
· It’s okay to ask ‘what happens next?’ If the interviewer doesn’t inform you of the next steps within the recruitment process, ask whether all candidates, whether successful or unsuccessful can expect to hear from the company at a later date.
· Last but definitely not least, turn off your phone! Having your phone ring in an interview will definitely not make a good impression. Make sure any electrical devices are switched off, and if possible, left in a different room.
When 9am meetings become an all-day event
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