| (Top Interview Tips | | | | - About you |
| Many graduates see going for a job interview as a bit | | | | - About your academic record |
| of an ordeal. | | | | - Your work experience |
| Does this describe you? | | | | - Your career objectives, dreams and motives |
| An interview can be a nerve-racking experience. You | | | | - Your knowledge of the company you are applying |
| want the job you are going for and you are under | | | | for |
| pressure to perform. | | | | - Your personal achievements outside work |
| For the better jobs there will often be first, second and | | | | To break this down further think remember these |
| in some cases third interviews. | | | | things: |
| First interviews will follow a brief telephone interview | | | | • When you talk about yourself remember to |
| (telephone interview tips) and is used as part of an | | | | be positive. Highlight your strengths and remember |
| employer's screening process. Essentially they are | | | | they will always ask you about negatives. Always turn |
| 'getting rid of the bad stuff' and trying to find the good | | | | negatives into positives. For example, you could say |
| stuff (which is hopefully you). Only 20% of candidates | | | | you are always too hard on yourself and expect too |
| get this far. | | | | much from yourself. This is a negative easily turned |
| Second interview tips: Second interviews will look | | | | into a positive. |
| further examine your technical or specialist skills. They | | | | • When asked about you're A-levels or |
| will give the chance for the owner, director or senior | | | | degree you may be asked why you chose certain |
| partner to rake a look at you. You need to be able to | | | | subjects. Answer clearly and concisely. |
| anticipate questions you'll be asked, have convincing | | | | • When is comes to work experience then |
| answers and deliver replies professionally. | | | | you are going to be asked questions on your main |
| An employer will be looking for the following things | | | | responsibilities, lessons learnt, what you found difficult, |
| from you: | | | | how you got on with your boss etc. |
| - Will this person be able to do the job? | | | | • Make sure you know why you want the |
| - Will you fit into the team? | | | | job you are interviewing for, what other jobs you have |
| - Are you enthusiastic and motivated? | | | | applied to and where you want to be in 5 to 10 years |
| The ability to the job is perhaps the most important | | | | time. |
| part. This can come down to the work experience you | | | | • IMPORTANT! Your knowledge of the |
| have. | | | | organisation. What do you like about the company? |
| You need to guarantee your success by… | | | | What key issues need addressing? Why will you fit in? |
| • Having extensive knowledge about the | | | | • Make sure you have some personal |
| organisation you are applying to. | | | | achievements to hand. Travelling the world, charity |
| • Having tip-top interview skills | | | | work, stand up comedian, sports… |
| • Making sure you fit well into the job. | | | | Turn the table around! It's your turn to ask some |
| • Sell yourself professionally and | | | | questions! |
| enthusiastically. | | | | Some good ones are… |
| The Interview generally follows a simple structure: | | | | • Is there anything you have heard from me |
| 1. There is a formal start, introduction etc. | | | | today that worries you that I wouldn't fit into this job |
| 2. A middle - a carefully timed sequence of questions | | | | role? (You then tell them why they are wrong!) |
| 3. An opportunity for you to ask questions (you must | | | | • Do you like working here? Why do you like |
| ask some!) | | | | it so much? |
| 4. An end. | | | | • What do you think the strengths of the |
| The formal start - making the right impression | | | | company are? |
| Lets get this right and keep it simple. | | | | • What scope is there for personal growth? |
| You need to have the right appearance and body | | | | • What kind of people would I be working |
| language. The morning of the interview make sure you | | | | with if I got the job? |
| clean up good, put on your best suit, a light touch of | | | | MOST IMPORTANTLY your questions should be |
| perfume/aftershave, some brightening eye drops and | | | | showing the interviewer that you are very |
| a good smile. | | | | INTERESTED in working at their company. If you act |
| Wake up with an air of assertiveness, self-confidence | | | | like you are interested and that you have got other job |
| and ready for the challenge ahead. Don't mention | | | | offers and that you are trying to pick the best job for |
| anything negative about yourself and if your | | | | you (rather than them pick you), then you will seem |
| interviewer brings up anything negative, turn it into a | | | | more sought after. |
| positive. | | | | THE END. |
| Speak with great communication skills. See the | | | | Thank the interviewer, say it was nice to meet them |
| recommended books on NLP if you want to learn | | | | and do the obligatory handshake goodbye. |
| some more about this. Body language is important with | | | | Make sure you send them a thank you email the next |
| communication skills. Make sure you sit in an open | | | | day re-iterating that you enjoyed meeting them and |
| body position at a slight angle so not to cause | | | | clarifying a couple of your positive points (subtly). |
| confrontation. Lean forward slightly to show interest, | | | | If you want telephone interview tips then please visit |
| main eye contact and relax! | | | | this site. |
| Make sure your handshake is firm but not knuckle | | | | We provide more tips and deals on our weekly email. |
| breaking. | | | | This was written by Steve Burford of |
| It's Question Time! | | | | WealthyStudent.co.uk. This is a guide to top interview |
| The most common areas to be questioned upon | | | | tips. See site for further tips and telephone interview |
| are… | | | | tips. |