| You hear all sorts of rules about job interview | | | | your current job stinks, look at the good points as |
| success:* people decide about you in the first 10 | | | | though you were looking at it from the outside in. Most |
| seconds | | | | jobs appear much better from the outside than they |
| * you have to make a good first impression | | | | do from the inside (only you know the real truth); so |
| * always ask insightful job interview questions | | | | pump up the goodies and soft-pedal the baddies!So |
| * learn as much as you can about the company | | | | that worked. You've got the Interview; now |
| * they'll probably ask interview questions designed to | | | | what?Preparing For a Job InterviewHere's the key and |
| trip you up | | | | the most important thing to remember when preparing |
| * have some quick answers to interview questions at | | | | for interviewBefore you go through the door, tell |
| the readyNot bad, as far as rules go: some of them | | | | yourself that unless they are simply going through the |
| make perfect sense. But getting the job you want isn't | | | | motions because they've already appointed someone, |
| about following rules or giving the 'right' interview | | | | they want it to be you.They want to know their |
| answer.It's about presenting yourself in the most | | | | search is over, so for the length of the interview, the |
| authentic way that takes care of you and the | | | | job is yours. You need to make the most of it.Having |
| interviewers at the same time.So many people chuck | | | | said that, first impressions are incredibly important. Be |
| their chances away: they don't take enough care and | | | | yourself right from the start, turning up the volume on |
| interview preparation time so that the whole process is | | | | those bits of you that most match the job; turning |
| enjoyable, stimulating and informative for both | | | | down the volume on the bits that don't. However, |
| parties.Your First Opportunity: Getting The InterviewIf | | | | never ever shut the volume off entirely, as you will |
| you want the job, chances are so do about a million | | | | then be pretending to be someone you're not - a sure |
| other eager people, so your application has to stand | | | | recipe for disaster.Not a good idea to lie! You can be |
| out from the crowd. British CVs are usually dull and | | | | judicious with the truth, but lies have a tendency to |
| boring, and people create them as historical | | | | return and bite you in the bum! Even if they don't know |
| documents, rather than as marketing tools. You can | | | | you've lied, you will be giving out signals that are a |
| boost your chances of getting an interview by making | | | | give-away that something is wrong.Being put on the |
| your CV look and 'sound' special.Use good paper, | | | | spot can feel very uncomfortable, and it's easy to fall |
| design a personal logo, fiddle with the layout to make it | | | | into a defensive posture. If you're not sure of |
| easy on the eyes. Edit it ruthlessly. People always put | | | | answering interview questions or feel boxed into a |
| in too much detail. Highlight the bits that relate to the | | | | corner it's all right to buy time - including saying 'I need |
| job you're going for. They don't need to know you | | | | some time to think about that.'No matter how nervous |
| went to St Mary's School when you were 12! Put 'who | | | | you are, you do need to look after the people |
| you are now' at the beginning of your CV, and leave | | | | interviewing you. Show that you know how to |
| education and qualifications for the end.If you don't | | | | communicate and relate to people: ask surprising |
| have what you think are the right educational | | | | questions.Have a stockpile of question to ask at |
| qualifications, don't worry. Just leave them off. If you | | | | interview and anecdotes of past triumphs (and even a |
| include enough interesting and intriguing material about | | | | few disasters, as long as their funny or humorous side |
| who you are now, what you didn't do is far less | | | | is apparent). This is not just a list of what you can do, |
| important.I recommend a short paragraph at the | | | | but some personal examples that paint the whole |
| beginning that says something about your personal | | | | picture.There are no right answers to job interview |
| qualities and your business skills. A short statement | | | | questioning. In fact a good interview question is one |
| about what you're seeking can also go down a | | | | that allows you a chance to talk about yourself.Job |
| treat.As we know, a job for life is so rare nowadays, | | | | Interview Follow-upAt the end of your interview, if you |
| that eclectic, unusual and even inconsistent CVs are | | | | haven't been advised, ask when they think they'll be |
| OK as long as they're presented well.Even if you think | | | | making their decision. |