Interview Do’s
- Arrive on time, greet the interviewer by his or her title and surname and shake hands firmly.
- Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair and look alert and interested at all times.
- It is very important that you demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview. Try to be charismatic without being overly friendly.
- Be a good listener as well as a good talker.
- Look the interviewer in the eye and smile, let them feel that you are enjoying the process whilst taking it seriously.
- Follow the interviewer’s leads and make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a concise, factual and sincere manner. Waffle will get you nowhere.
- Conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Remember you cannot reject a job that you are not offered.
Interview Don’ts
- Try not to be too friendly and do not answer questions with a simple ”yes” or ”no”. Explain yourself whenever possible.
- Conversely do not ”over answer” questions, make your comments relevant and to the point without waffling.
- Do not lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as close to the point as possible.
- Avoid making derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.
- Try not to use the term “we” when you are talking about your own achievements and avoid making very general statements that lack any real substance.
- Do not enquire about salary, holidays, bonuses etc. at the initial interview unless you are positive the interviewer wants to hire you.
Finally do not slouch, mumble, smoke or answer that mobile phone you forgot to turn off.