Job Tuition

What To Do In An Interview - Part Three

December 5th, 2006 by Jennine

This is the final instalment for what to do in an interview. Now you are fully researched, prepared and dressed to kill. You have arrived at the interview 10 minutes early, so you have time to relax, go over your notes and prepared interview questions.

Tip One - Handshake

The interviewer comes to welcome you, take you through to the interview room and somewhere between Reception and the Interview Room you forget everything you have learnt and quite possibly even your name. Nerves have kicked in and you are freaking out. Breathe, take some deep calming breaths and try to relax. Unless you have sweaty palms, shake hands with everyone on the panel, even the women. This may sound strange but make sure you have a firm grip. Not tight and definitely not limp. A person’s character can be, and usually is, judged on a person’s handshake. Too hard and you are perceived as domineering and arrogant. Too soft and you are looked at as passive. The best handshake is firm and confident and that is also the impression you will make.

Tip Two - Drinks

You may be offered a glass of water before the interview starts, accept the offer. You may not think that you need a glass a water, but this is good for buying time for phrasing your responses to questions that may initally throw you. Also, if you’re like me nerves make your voice falter and water will rehydrate and help you calm down. If you’re asked if you would like tea or coffee, ask for a glass of water simply for the above reasons, plus you won’t have to hold a delicate cup in your hand and have it rattle on the saucer that will come with it.

Tip Three - Company Spiel

At the start of every interview the panel will tell you about their company and what the role will entail. Mentally note what they say as you may be able to glean more information and then be able to tailor your responses to their questions at a later date. If possible, ask questions before the interview starts, but keep it relevant to what they have just told you as opposed to the prepared questions you made earlier.

Tip Four - Interview Questions

The interviewer/s will ask a multitude of questions and if you have done your research thoroughly you should be able to give competent answers. Don’t be afraid to ask them to repeat the question if you didn’t understand what they were saying. If it was a question with multiple parts respond to each part individually and again don’t be afraid to ask them to repeat it if you think you haven’t fully answered it. This way you can ensure that each part of the question is covered and too much information is better than not enough.

Common interview questions are:

Why do you think you we should employ you?
What skills can you bring to the role?
Why did you apply for this position?
What do you think are your positives and negatives points and why
Would you be prepared to undertake training?
Why did you leave your last job?
Where do you expect to be in five years?
Describe how you would deal with a difficult client?
Describe the attributes of a good team
Explain how you would ensure confidentiality within the workplace

Tip Five - Questions

You’ve now just spent approximately 20-30 minutes answering questions and revealing your soul to the panel. It’s now your turn to ask questions. You should have some questions prepared before the interview that you can ask. If you have no questions, tell them that they have adequately covered everything in their speech before questioning. However, if you feel that some answers need further clarification ask if you can add to your responses. 90% of the interviews you will attend will have no problem with doing that and would actively encourage you doing so.

Tip Six - End of the Interview

Thank them for their time and tell them that after meeting with them and learning about the business you are definitely interested in the position. This is a good parting comment as it clearly shows that if they were to offer you the position you aren’t going to turn them down. It all helps.

Tip Seven - One final thing

Successful interviews are all about confidence, attitude and positivity. If you walk into the interview feeling like you don’t deserve the position or you aren’t good enough then this negativity energy will show in your answers and your body language. If you go into the interview thinking you are good enough, are capable of doing the job and not arrogant about it, then again you will come across as a confident, intelligent and well prepared person who should be employed by this company. Arrogance, patronising and a bad attitude will not win the position, regardless of experience and qualifications. At the end of the day they will want someone who will fit into the established team not someone who is going to think they know all before they have started.

If you take the advice that I have given over the three parts and put it too good use, then you are more than likely going to get that job you want. It may take a couple of interviews to pull it all together, but like everything else it will come. Don’t get disheartened if you don’t win the position. You can always get feedback from the employer as to why they didn’t offer it to you. It may have been that the person who did get the role had more qualifications or experience. There is a job for everyone, we just need to find it.