| Interview technique is a skill that can be learnt and | | | | more about yourself. |
| improved until it becomes second nature and a walk in | | | | The Interview: |
| the park. | | | | If you have done the pre-preparation, then you should |
| One of the main reasons people do not do well at | | | | be looking smart and have all the relevant paperwork |
| interviews is anxiety. They may be more than capable | | | | organised and ready to present at the interview. Just |
| of doing the prospective job, but nerves get the better | | | | make sure you arrive early, and relax. |
| of them and they end up not presenting their case in | | | | Forget about everything you have heard before, about |
| the best possible manner. | | | | eye contact, firm handshakes and the way you sit and |
| Below are listed some common sense points for | | | | cross your legs and the way you place your arms. |
| people going into interviews that can help ease the | | | | Thinking and paying attention to all of this makes you |
| pain of the interview, resulting in a optimum | | | | over-conscious and stops you from concentrating on |
| performance. | | | | the actual interview. |
| Pre-Preparation: | | | | Just be natural, introduce yourself and shake hands the |
| It goes without saying, do some research about the | | | | way you normally do, sit in a manner that is not |
| company and the job. | | | | offensive but at the same time makes you |
| Be clear about the role you are going for and have | | | | comfortable. If making constant eye contact makes |
| questions prepared. | | | | you uncomfortable then don't, and if keeping your |
| Think about possible questions that you may be asked | | | | hands in a certain position makes you happy then |
| and prepare and practice responses. | | | | please do so. |
| Make sure you have smart attire ready for the day, | | | | Present all your details, CV, Business Cards and others |
| and you have your CV, Business Cards and other | | | | in an organised manner. |
| relevant documentation ready and organised to take | | | | Listen to what is being said and asked, be polite and |
| with you on the day. | | | | don't interrupt. |
| Visualise the interview process, bear in mind that this is | | | | When responding to questions, don't feel that you are |
| not about a bunch of people putting you under the | | | | under time pressure to answer, i.e. don't think you need |
| microscope and picking on you. Think of it as follows, | | | | to answer within 5 seconds of the question being |
| The fact that you have been invited in for the | | | | asked. Take your time, think about your answer and if |
| interview is the first success. The company will have | | | | you are not sure of the question, clarify. Don't be |
| received many CV's out of which they will shortlist | | | | worried that your answer may not be understood or |
| candidates. Just think, you have made it to the shortlist, | | | | that your answer may be incorrect. Give the best |
| they like you. | | | | response you can give in your own time. |
| The people in the company have invited you to the | | | | Don't be shy to to display you personal mannerisms, if |
| interview, because based on your CV they want to | | | | you need to umm! and ahh! in mid sentence then do |
| find out more about you. The interview will be your | | | | so. If you wave your hands around when talking |
| opportunity to tell them why they should pick you for | | | | because this helps you express your point, then do so, |
| the job, and the best thing is, they do really want to | | | | there is no rule book that says your hands need to be |
| listen to what you have to say. | | | | in your lap throughout the interview. |
| The interview is a two way process, it is also your | | | | Ask relevant questions and by all means indulge in |
| chance to engage the people interviewing and make | | | | smalltalk. Smalltalk relaxes you and also relaxes the |
| sure they answer all your questions, don't be shy, just | | | | other party. |
| like they have the right to put you on the spot, you can | | | | Finish the interview politely and with a smile. |
| also do the same to them. | | | | To summarise, if you view an interview as an |
| So please remember, the interview is a two way | | | | exchange of views and information and nothing more |
| exchange of information, and nothing more and nothing | | | | sinister, you will do well. |
| less. Think of it purely as a chance for you to talk | | | | |