| You may have landed an interview for your dream job | | | | 5. Get enough sleep |
| (well done!), or you may be working towards a new | | | | Yes we all know this, but it's worth repeating and it will |
| job. Either way, your future depends on the outcome | | | | pay off as in the interview you will feel fresh and alert. |
| of your job interview, so your preparation for the day | | | | 6. Eat! |
| is absolutely vital. Take the time to prepare and job | | | | For a morning interview have some breakfast , even |
| success is round the corner. | | | | you don't feel hungry. This will pay off during the |
| Here are 10 top tips for maximum interview success. | | | | interview in keeping you alert and your energy levels |
| Heed them and you have a great chance of getting | | | | up. For afternoon interviews avoid a heavy lunch, as |
| hired, ignore them at your peril! | | | | this can make you feel sluggish. Sharp thinking and |
| Background | | | | energy is vital on the big day. |
| 1. Understand the role | | | | Convey the right impression |
| Examine the published job description in detail. Take | | | | 7. Look the part |
| time to really understand what the company is looking | | | | As far as possible, dress appropriately for the role and |
| for in a new employee for this role. i.e. the company | | | | organization. Veer on the side of conservative. For |
| and job requirements. Think about how you meet | | | | men this normally means a dark blue or grey business |
| these requirements, and more importantly how you will | | | | suit with white shirt and an appropriately coordinating |
| benefit the company once you are hired. | | | | tie. For women, who have a lot more choice, |
| 2. Do your background research | | | | conservative colors, tailored clothes and business like |
| Collect as much information as possible about the | | | | appearance is the key. |
| company before the interview. Consider the company | | | | 8. Smell the part! |
| website, the annual report and press releases. Search | | | | A strange thing to mention possibly, but perfume and |
| in Google for snippets about the company, and get up | | | | cologne and after shave products should be used with |
| to date on any current news which may impact their | | | | moderation, and should not overpower the interviewer. |
| business. | | | | It's often overlooked how people react to smell. A |
| 3.Consider the 'big picture' | | | | strong overpowering smell can create a negative |
| Take your research further into the environment in | | | | perception and it can take a lot of work to overcome. |
| which the company operates. Use the web and | | | | A subtle aroma can create a positive feeling, which of |
| relevant trade journals to assess the impact of things | | | | course is what you're after. |
| such as environment, economics, health and safety, | | | | 9. Be polite |
| competition, new initiatives, industry research and so on. | | | | Of course you will be polite and friendly to the |
| Jot down some talking points that demonstrate your | | | | interviewer, smile, extend a firm handshake, and look |
| knowledge of the industry as a whole, and be | | | | him or her in the eye. Also consider any administrative |
| prepared to discuss the key points. | | | | staff you encounter. They wield a great deal of |
| Practicalities | | | | power, and often give their impressions of a you to |
| 4. Timing on the day | | | | their supervisor, if even in an indirect way. |
| No need to overstate, but you must be punctual. So if | | | | 10. Be confident |
| you don't know the location well then do a 'dummy-run' | | | | Having arrived on time, feeling fully prepared and |
| of the journey at the time of the day the interview is | | | | knowledgeable about the company, plus a positive |
| scheduled for. This will lessen the likelihood of traffic or | | | | feeling about your appearance and demeanour, now is |
| transport delays. Charge your cell phone and enter the | | | | your chance to shine. Be confident (but not |
| contact details of the company in case the | | | | over-confident) and demonstrate what you can do for |
| unavoidable happens. | | | | the company and the job is yours for the taking. |