If you think that having a successful interview is a case of simply turning up and allowing you natural abilities to shine through, then think again. Interviews are a game of rules and convention, so it is matter of learning these and playing the game to your advantage. Here are some tips to start you off.
Prepare! - Make sure you do your research on the job you are applying for and the company you are looking to work for. Also make sure that you know where you are going on the day and if you can do a practice run for the journey a couple of days beforehand just to make sure you arrive on time.
Dress appropriately - The usual convention for interviews is smart and conservative. It is better to err on the side of being too smart if you are not sure.
Be aware of your body language - Give eye contact and provide a firm handshake. Don't slouch in the chair and adopt an open posture.
Talk about real examples - Try wherever possible to relate your answers to what you have actually done rather than talking about hypothetical situations. Highlight any particular skills that you will bring to the company.
Be positive - Don't talk negatively about your current or previous employer. Instead, if you are asked about why you have felt the need to move job, talk about a positive need to move and how you see a change a this point in your career as an opportunity.
Most importantly, remember that interviews have their own rules and conventions and you more likely to be appointed if you keep them. Get the ultimate guide to achieving a successful interview.
Monday, 14 September 2009
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Can You Achieve the Perfect Interview?
If you are looking for a new job then achieving the perfect interview has to be an aim to put yourself ahead of the competition. However, you cannot just turn up on the day and expect to provide perfect answers and impress the interviewers. Preparation is a key part of achieving the perfect interview and this should include research into the job you are applying for and the company that you are hoping to work for.
There is nothing worse than being late for the interview. Therefore, make sure you know where you are going prior to the interview - if you not sure then pay a visit to the venue a couple of days beforehand. This way you can also ensure you know how long the journey takes.
Make sure that you dress suitably for the interview - smart and conservative are the usual expectations for interviews. Within your answers make sure that you talk about what you have actually done rather than hypothetical situations.
Go to the interview with a positive attitude. Don't go into the interview telling yourself that you have to get the job otherwise you are only putting yourself under pressure and this will affect your performance. Instead tell yourself that you are good at what you do and that you will be an asset to the company. Try saying this out loud to yourself - by actually saying this you are more likely to actually believe it.
Achieving a perfect interview is entirely possible with the right preparation and the right attitude. Get the ultimate guide to achieving that perfect interview.
There is nothing worse than being late for the interview. Therefore, make sure you know where you are going prior to the interview - if you not sure then pay a visit to the venue a couple of days beforehand. This way you can also ensure you know how long the journey takes.
Make sure that you dress suitably for the interview - smart and conservative are the usual expectations for interviews. Within your answers make sure that you talk about what you have actually done rather than hypothetical situations.
Go to the interview with a positive attitude. Don't go into the interview telling yourself that you have to get the job otherwise you are only putting yourself under pressure and this will affect your performance. Instead tell yourself that you are good at what you do and that you will be an asset to the company. Try saying this out loud to yourself - by actually saying this you are more likely to actually believe it.
Achieving a perfect interview is entirely possible with the right preparation and the right attitude. Get the ultimate guide to achieving that perfect interview.
Saturday, 12 September 2009
How to Answer Job Interview Questions
The secret to being able to answer job interview questions is relatively straightforward. It is not about being able to predict what the interviewers are going to say. It is primarily about thinking about the job you are applying for and how you can relate your experiences and skills, both from your employment and life in general. Remember that skills and experiences can be tranferred to a great variety of situations.
The interviewers are basically looking for evidence that you are able to undertake the tasks required in the job that you are applying for. Not only that, but that you can do this to a good standard. Therefore, the key thing is to talk about actual examples of what you have done rather than talk about hypothetical situations. So, for example, if you are asked what you would do in a particular situation, don't say "in this situation I would do.....". Instead you should say "when dealing with a similar situation this is what I did......". Don't worry about trying to come up with an example that exactly matches the job you are applying for - remember that it is about transferable skills.
Also, think about the length of the answers. Avoid simple yes or no answers, but at the same time don't just speak for the sake of it. Try and give a reasonable amount of detail, but at the same time be clear and succint.
At the end of the day it is not about trying to give clever answers, it is about providing the interviewers evidence that you can do the job. Get the ultimate guide to answering job interview questions.
The interviewers are basically looking for evidence that you are able to undertake the tasks required in the job that you are applying for. Not only that, but that you can do this to a good standard. Therefore, the key thing is to talk about actual examples of what you have done rather than talk about hypothetical situations. So, for example, if you are asked what you would do in a particular situation, don't say "in this situation I would do.....". Instead you should say "when dealing with a similar situation this is what I did......". Don't worry about trying to come up with an example that exactly matches the job you are applying for - remember that it is about transferable skills.
Also, think about the length of the answers. Avoid simple yes or no answers, but at the same time don't just speak for the sake of it. Try and give a reasonable amount of detail, but at the same time be clear and succint.
At the end of the day it is not about trying to give clever answers, it is about providing the interviewers evidence that you can do the job. Get the ultimate guide to answering job interview questions.
Friday, 11 September 2009
How to Prepare for an Interview
In order to achieve success it is important to consider how to prepare for an interview. You cannot generally expect to turn up for an interview and expect to get the job. So, firstly you need to do some research. Clearly you need to find out as much as you can about the job you are applying for. This may simply be a case of researching online, but the employer will may well also send you some information prior to the interview, so you should read this thoroughly. Particularly read the job description and think about how you can demonstrate that you have experience of carrying out these or similar tasks.
Your other area of research is the company you are considering working for. While you are not likely to be asked specific questions about the company to test your knowledge, you can include within your answers some information about the company to demonstrate that you have taken the trouble to do some research. Ensuring that you do this can really set you apart from your competition.
An important consideration for how to prepare for an interview needs to be what first impressions you give. You should take into account the fact that this has more influence over whether you are hired or not than anything you actually say during the course of the interview itself. Think carefully abour what to wear on the day, don't just decide on the day itself. For most interviews you should dress smartly and conservatively. Also think about your entrance to the interview - you should make sure you give eye contact with the interviewers, give a firm handshake and do your best to appear confident (however you might actually be feeling).
Those people who take proper steps to prepare for interviews are more likely to be appointed. Read this guide to find out how to answer any question an interviewer could possibly throw at you!
Your other area of research is the company you are considering working for. While you are not likely to be asked specific questions about the company to test your knowledge, you can include within your answers some information about the company to demonstrate that you have taken the trouble to do some research. Ensuring that you do this can really set you apart from your competition.
An important consideration for how to prepare for an interview needs to be what first impressions you give. You should take into account the fact that this has more influence over whether you are hired or not than anything you actually say during the course of the interview itself. Think carefully abour what to wear on the day, don't just decide on the day itself. For most interviews you should dress smartly and conservatively. Also think about your entrance to the interview - you should make sure you give eye contact with the interviewers, give a firm handshake and do your best to appear confident (however you might actually be feeling).
Those people who take proper steps to prepare for interviews are more likely to be appointed. Read this guide to find out how to answer any question an interviewer could possibly throw at you!
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