Candidate - Interview Tips

Before the Interview

Preparation is essential and greatly enhances your chances of performing well. Here are some tips on interview preparation:

Your employment enjoyment consultant will have provided you with a detailed understanding of the position, description, the team environment and the organisation. If you have any questions on anything prior to the interview make sure you contact your consultant.
Conduct additional research regarding the organisation through reading annual reports and researching on the Internet. Understand its products/services, size, locations, financial situation and growth potential.
Make sure you know exactly where you're going and always be on time.
Dress conservatively and pay attention to all facets of your dress and grooming.
Know the exact place and time of the interview, the interviewer's full name and the correct pronunciation and his/her title.
Spend 30 minutes reviewing your CV and experience and its relevance to the position you're interviewing for. Identify the specific examples in your background that are directly relevant to the position and demonstrate your ability to do the job.
Refresh your memory regarding details of present and past employers and your work history in their companies. You will be expected to know a lot about a company for which you have previously worked. Pay particular attention to how you will describe your most important achievements.
Be prepared to convey to the interviewer: why this role appeals to you, why they should consider you for this role and what makes you a bit different from other candidates.
Prepare the questions YOU will ask during the interview. Remember that an interview is a two-way conversation. The employer will try to determine through questioning if you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. You must determine through questioning whether the company will give you the opportunity for the growth and development you seek. Your consultant will supply you with likely questions the employer might ask you and give guidance on the correct way to respond as part of your interview preparation. The preparation will also include ideas on the types of question you might consider asking.

Your Style and Behaviour

During your interview, the employer will be evaluating your total performance, not just your answers. Listed below are some factors and mannerisms that will usually produce a positive reaction from a prospective employer.
1 Interested, balanced approach
2 Ability to express thoughts clearly
3 Career planning and objectives
4 Confidence
5 Informative replies
6 Tact, maturity, courtesy
7 Maintenance of eye contact
8 Firm handshake
9 Intelligent questions about the job
10 Preparation and knowledge of the company/industry
11 Enthusiasm for the role and the organisation
12 Positive, 'can-do' attitude

General Tips

Do:

Plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
Greet the interviewer by his/her first name.
Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair. Look alert and interested at all times. Be a good listener as well as a good talker.
Smile!
Maintain eye contact.
Follow the interviewer's leads but try to get the interviewer to describe the position and the duties to you early in the interview so that you can relate your background and skills to the position.
Use proof - If you are using past projects to illustrate your skills and strengths, take along evidence in the form of end products or visuals, finished documents or photos. Most people can talk a good game, so this is an opportunity to show what you are capable of.
Make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself to an interviewer. Make him/her realise the need for you in his/her organisation.
Think smart! You've done the research, use it! Clever questions based on solid research will show that you genuinely want the job. Remember, the interview should be two-way traffic, it's your opportunity to find out about them, ask questions and be interested.
Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on an opportunity. It is better to be in the position where you can choose from a number of jobs rather than only one.

Don't:

Answer questions with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. Explain whenever possible. Tell those things about yourself which relate to the position.
Lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as much to the point as possible.
Ever make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers or companies.
'Over-answer' questions. The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics. Since this can be ticklish, it is best to answer the questions honestly, trying not to say more than is necessary.
Let your discouragement show. If you get the impression that the interview is not going well and that you have already been rejected, don't show discouragement or alarm. Once in a while an interviewer who is genuinely interested in your possibilities may seem to discourage you in order to test your reaction.
Enquire about salary, bonuses or holidays at the first interview unless you are positive the employer is interested in hiring you and raises the issue first However, you should know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range.
Closing the Interview
If you are interested in the position, make sure you tell the interviewer that this is the case.
Ask the interviewer if, at this stage they have any reservations about your ability to do the job. If they have reservations and you don't ask you risk walking away with doubts lodged in the interviewers mind. It may be that when you ask this question the interviewer cites a reservation that on further analysis isn't a problem to you at all and is a misunderstanding on their part. Interviewers are human too and mistakes do happen!
Thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration of you. You have done all you can if you have answered the two questions uppermost in his/her mind:
Why are you interested in the job and the company?
What can you offer and can you do the job?

After the Interview

Last but not least, call the consultant at employment enjoyment who referred you to the position immediately after the interview and describe how you feel it went. He/she will want to talk with you before the interviewer calls and will appreciate the courtesy of your feedback. If you are interested in progressing further it will assist if your feelings towards the position are known, together with your perception of what the client's reaction is likely to be.