Nail your job interview

Prepare!

• Research the company, taking note of their history, company directives, key services and recent achievements. Most companies publish this information on their website and “News” or “Media” pages often provide recent events or achievements that you can bring up in conversation;

• Prepare mock questions and practice integrating the information you have learnt about the company into your answers. Try to make it sound genuine and not pre-rehearsed. We have supplied some commonly asked interview questions in the Hints and Tips section;

• Update your resume to include up-to-date information and tailor your work experience to suit the nature of the job you are applying for. Your work history should be ordered from most recent to least recent. If you have had multiple jobs, only include the most relevant;

• Print a spare copy of your resume, as well as any additional information (such as certificates and examples of your portfolio). Bind these documents neatly and bring them with you to the interview;

• If the salary is negotiable, prepare a flexible figure in case you are asked. Do not initiate conversation about salary in the first interview; this can be brought up in the second interview or later in the application process. If asked to give your current or previous salary figure, respond with a slightly higher amount so that you have room to negotiate. It is appropriate to ask if a position has a base salary or if it is commission based;

• If the interview is in a location you are not familiar with, practice travelling there one or two days before you have arranged to meet your prospective employer. Take the mode of transport you plan to use on the day and take into consideration varying travel times depending on traffic. Make sure to leave extra time in case you get lost, miss your bus/ train or taxi or if parking is unavailable;

• On the day before the interview, call your interviewer and confirm your appointment time and location. You may find it helpful to ask if parking is available;

• Think about what you will wear to your interview and make sure it adheres to the dress code. If in doubt, always dress up rather then down. Until you get to know your employer and your colleagues, it is best to remove facial piercings and to cover up tattoos;

• Get a good nights sleep and eat a substantial breakfast; it will help you think quicker and more clearly;

At the interview!

• Although you may be nervous and anxious to meet your interviewer, do not dismiss or be rude to other workers in the building. They may provide negative feedback that will hinder your employment chances;

• Make sure you can pronounce your interviewer’s first and last names. If you are unsure of the pronunciation, ask them.

• When introducing yourself, shake your interviewee’s hand firmly and enthusiastically and remember to smile. It is a good idea to practice your handshake with a friend or family member to find the correct balance between confidence and domination;

• Maintain eye contact as much as you can without feeling uncomfortable. Strong eye contact portrays you as confident;

• Take your time to think about an answer before you speak and when you have finished answering a question simply stop talking. Nothing says “I’m nervous” like continual and disjointed speech;

• Highlight your skills when answering questions but do not falsely exaggerate. You may be instantly dismissed if your employer confirms you have lied in your interview;

• Prepare questions that you can ask at the end of the interview. Remember, this is your chance to interview your prospective employer. Asking questions also suggests you have done your homework, have thought about the opportunity and are keen to fit in with the company culture.

• At the end of your interview shake hands with your interviewer. Reaffirm your interest in the position and your gratitude at them taking the time to meet with you;

After the interview!

• Phone your interviewer the day after the interview to reaffirm your interest in the position and to thank them again for the time they took to meet with you.