Interview Planning and Behaviour
Before Leaving
Give yourself plenty of time to get ready
Make sure you’ve got all relevant paperwork, e.g. CVs, invitation letter
If you are unavoidably delayed, Telephone early to explain, apologise and try to get another appointment
On Arrival
Aim to arrive about 10-15 minutes before the interview time
Give your name to the receptionist or whoever is there to greet you
Try to relax and keep calm
Chat to the receptionist or whoever greets you, before going into the interview. This will ensure that the first thing you say isn’t croaked out because you haven’t spoken to anyone for over an hour!
Your interview
First, accept that the symptoms of nerves – a fast heartbeat, clammy hands and butterflies in the stomach – are natural. These are your body’s natural way of meeting a challenge and in small doses can give you the ‘oomph’ to make a good impression.
You will make an impression in the first few minutes. It takes this time for people to assess someone and store this information. Once an impression has been formed, it’s seldom changed. It’s important to make first impression work for you.
Nervous tension may make your voice sound shaky. Practice deep slow breathing before you get to the interview. This will slow down your heart rate and help you avoid taking quick ,shallow breaths.
Here are some tips which may help
DO
- enter the room confidently
- shake hands firmly – and introduce yourself
- be polite and friendly – look the interviewer straight in the eye as soon as you enter the room
- look interested – ask questions as well as answering
- answer questions as fully as you can – avoid yes and no answers
- provide examples to prove your achievements
- tell the truth
- ask if you don’t understand a question
- speak clearly
- sell yourself – get your good points across/be positive
- give a friendly smile (if in doubt don’t – it is better to look serious than insincere)
DON’T
- sit until invited
- fidget and slouch in the chair
- smoke
- swear (even mildly)
- criticise former employers
- interrupt
- draw attention to your weaknesses
- go over the top – stay calm and stick to the facts
Remember, most employers like:
- people who listen
- people who answer questions with examples
- people who are brief in the right places
- people who come prepared
- people who appear confident
Good Luck !!!