There are lots of sites offering interview advice. They all say roughly the same thing, look good, sound good and get the job. But it’s not always that easy. To get really prepared try some role play with friends. Always have a question up your sleeve and make sure you know something about the company you’re applying for.
One of the best pieces of advice out there is the ultimate question for the end of the interview, when they say ‘do you have any questions?’ you should say ‘Do you have any reservations about my ability to be successful in the role?’
This question works on two levels. If they say no, they have no reservations, well, you’ve probably gone and got yourself the job. If they say yes, they think you’re too young/inexperienced/old/scruffy/far away, you can reassure them that you will be able to adapt/change your ways/have a bath before you start next week. Thank you and goodnight.
For more in depth advice as well as a free CV advice service sign up to Monster. They are UK experts in all things recruitment and have some top tips for landing your dream job. As well as thousands of vacancies to tempt you.
It’s all very well surfing the net or signing up with agencies to find the job of your dreams but once you’ve found it and filled in the endless application form you need to not only survive the interview but nail it. There are countless websites offering advice on this very matter. We take a look at a couple of the common themes and suggestions.
Maintain eye contact. This is a very common complaint by interviewers that their interviewee was so nervous they spent the entire time looking at the table, at the floor or out of the window. If you want to appear more confident and impress your potential new employer, you need to make eye contact. Practise with friends and family if this is something that is outside your comfort zone.
Dress appropriately. Consider the job that you are applying for and wear something that is appropriate to that environment. In most cases you will at least need to dress smartly, and possibly quite conservatively. A full blown suit may not be necessary but a shirt and skirt or smart trousers and clean shoes will make a good impression.
Lastly, have a few questions about the job and the company prepared. There is nothing more awkward than an uncomfortable silence when the interviewer asks if you have any questions and your mind goes blank!
You’ve sent off your CV, you’ve filled in the application, and you’ve received a phone call from the employer…you have an interview! So….what next? Job interviews are an integral part of any job application. Above all, it is the opportunity for both you and the potential employer to get to know each other. Yet, it isn’t just about the interviewer grilling you for your experience, your strengths and weaknesses and why you think you are the best person for the job! It is also the chance for YOU to ask questions, and find out if this is the kind of position that you are after.
However, some thorough preparation is needed in order to leave a good impression, and to ensure that you get the information that you want to know about the job you are applying for.
An excellent site for interview groundwork is Job Interview Questions. Here you can garner tips and tricks about question to ask your potential employer, questions to avoid, salary negotiations, what to do after the interview and more.
Another worthwhile site is CV Tips. This site offers not only tips about what to say to and ask the employer, but it also provides some fantastic advice on topics such as what to wear, your body language and other etiquette techniques.
If you want to SEE some job interviews in action then visit Job Interview Tips. Watch and learn from videos about what to and what-not to during an interview to increase your chances of impressing the employer and getting the job you want!
