| Worried about interviews? Do you want to develop | | | | the whole interview looking at your hands, you will not |
| more effective interview skills? The best way to do | | | | make the best impression. Practise shaking hands |
| this is to follow the simple 3Ps approach. | | | | confidently, look the interviewer in the eye as you |
| What on earth is the 3Ps approach, I hear you ask. | | | | respond and remember to smile! |
| Simple! | | | | Put your preparation to good use by giving clear |
| Preparation, Presentation and Practice | | | | responses to the questions asked, using the evidence |
| Preparation | | | | you have planned in advance. And remember, you |
| One of the most common mistakes made by | | | | want this job, don't you? Then let your interest and |
| interview candidates is that they fail to do enough | | | | enthusiasm shine through. A bit of energy in the way |
| preparation. And believe me, it really shows! | | | | you present yourself will make all the difference to the |
| There are two kind of preparation that are essential. | | | | outcome of your interview. |
| Firstly, find out as much as you can about the job, the | | | | Practice |
| company, the field of work. Read through the job | | | | You are maybe thinking that you are just no good at |
| description in detail and work out exactly what they | | | | interviews. Well if you haven't had many, don't |
| are looking for. You should also research the company | | | | necessarily expect to be perfect first time round. I bet |
| and the sector - the internet makes that really easy | | | | you fell of your bicycle a few times before you got |
| these days. Then when they ask what you know | | | | the trick of balancing! |
| about them, you will have some interesting facts at | | | | Make sure you practise answering some typical |
| your fingertips. | | | | interview questions before you go in to the interview. |
| Secondly, you must prepare yourself. This means | | | | Get a friend to help, or just rehearse your answers in |
| reviewing what related experience you have had and | | | | front of a mirror to see how you come across. Watch |
| planning specific examples to show when you have | | | | out for funny mannerisms like fiddling with your tie or |
| used the skills they are looking for. You also need to | | | | jewellery! |
| prepare your attitude. If you go in assuming you will fail, | | | | Remember that you really will improve at interviews |
| you put yourself at a real disadvantage. Remember, | | | | with practice, so if you have an unhappy experience, |
| they will not waste time interviewing you if they do not | | | | don't blot it from your memory. Think it through |
| think you are a good match for their needs. They | | | | afterwards and work out where you got stuck. Then |
| already believe in you, so you can too! | | | | you can learn from your experience and perform |
| Presentation | | | | better next time. |
| Much of the impact you make at a job interview | | | | So when you have an interview coming up, remember |
| comes from the way you present yourself. If you let | | | | the 3Ps approach. Apply this formula and you will be |
| your nerves show, give one word answers and spend | | | | well on your way to interview success. |