| It's a great feeling when you have applied for a job, | | | | you can ask the interviewers at the end of the |
| submitted your CV or application form and you | | | | interview. |
| receive a letter inviting you to interview. That's great | | | | 4. Plan your journey |
| news, however, you may be among many people | | | | 46% of interviewers are put off if a job candidate |
| who have also been invited to interview. So how do | | | | does not arrive on time. So make sure you are not |
| you beat them and get the job you want? Follow my | | | | one of them by planning your route in advance and |
| top tips to achieve interview success. | | | | allowing plenty of time for the journey. Airm to arrive |
| 1. Prepare for your interview. | | | | early and if you do, you can spend time preparing for |
| Start by doing some research on the company and | | | | the interview. |
| the job. You could look at their website, ask for | | | | 5. Dress appropriately |
| literature, or research any recent articles or information | | | | Nearly half of interviewers are put off when job |
| on the company or industry. | | | | candidates do not dress appropriately for the |
| 2. Understand the requirements of the interview | | | | interview. This includes wearing a suit or smart outfit |
| Find out whether there will be an interview, personality | | | | where appropriate and making sure that you clean |
| assessment, skills or aptitude test, assessment centre, | | | | your shoes, as well as appearing presentable. Give |
| or presentation, and ensure you prepare thoroughly. | | | | yourself plenty of time to decide what to wear, and |
| 3. Prepare for difficult questions | | | | you may want to get your clothes ready the night |
| In most interviews, you will be talking for a majority of | | | | before the interview. |
| the time. The interviewers will ask you questions based | | | | 6. Gather all the information you need for the interview |
| on your experience, and may include questions about | | | | in advance. |
| your strengths and weakness. In addition, you may be | | | | It would be advantageous to review the job |
| asked questions based on competencies, such as | | | | description and take your CV or application form to |
| people management skills and team working. These | | | | the interview with you. You may also need to take |
| are questions based on situations you have | | | | certificates, references or examples of your work to |
| experienced. They will normally start as follows - tell | | | | the interview, so prepare these in advance. |
| me about a time... or will be an open question, starting | | | | 7. Make a great first impression |
| with a word such as what, when, how.. To prepare for | | | | People tend to make a first impression of you within |
| these types of questions, have a few examples you | | | | the first few minutes. When you meet the |
| can use that you can adapt for different questions. | | | | interviewers, use appropriate eye contact, a firm |
| You also may wish to prepare some questions that | | | | handshake, and smile! Good luck. |