It’s that time in your career where you are looking for a new adventure, a better job or a better salary.You decided you need a change so you hit the market place (usually online) and you start looking. After spotting few offers that you like (don’t send your resume to every single ad you see, be selective), you make initial contact, resume sent and soon you have your first interview.Here are some tips that you might find useful for that interview:
Pre-interview tips:
- Find out as much as you can about the company: the nature of the business, the number of people, revenues, general dedication to career development, etc…
- Plan to arrive early to your interview (minimum 15 minutes earlier).
- Dress smart. Business attire can never go wrong even if the company allows casual dress.
- Know who’s interviewing you, their titles, how their decision will affect your chances? Are any tests included? A check with your recruiting agency (if applicable) is always a good idea.
Interview tips:
- Upon meeting your interviewer, make sure you shake his/her hand firmly, make eye contact and smile.
- Pay attention to your physical communication. A good eye contact with all the interviewers, don’t cross your arms cause you’ll look defensive, don’t slump in your seat and smile.
- Be clear about your major selling points; if they haven’t been covered during the interview make a point by talking explicitly about them.
- Be to the point. Make sure you answer the interviewer’s question. As obvious as it may sound, sometimes nervousness would lead you away from your point.
- Never say anything that can’t be backed by examples. if you say you are a good team leader and someone who takes initiative, they will ask you for proof.
- Don’t overly criticise your current or previous employer. When discussing problems or issues mention what you did to try to fix it.
- Sell yourself. Try avoiding the cliché answers. Give an opinion.
- If you don’t know the answer, don’t try to invent and to answer it. Instead say how you would approach the problem/answering the question.
At the end of the interview and after:
- Ask how you did.
- Re-affirm your interest in the role.
- Ask what the next stage is and you can expect to hear back.
- This is very important question to ask: Have i answered all your questions to your satisfaction?
- Another important question to finish the interview with: Do you have any reservations about my ability to do the Job?
- Make sure you thank your interviewer and you follow up with a letter few days later.
Later on i will post some common questions that usually come up in an interview.
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