Interview trepidation can sell you short. Complacency is equally destructive, especially when interviewing for positions familiar to you within the sector. Obliterate both with a controlled, professional approach and you’re on the way to that dream post.
*Here are Top Ten Strategies For a Great Interview
1. Preparation
It’s impossible to over prepare for an interview. Develop as confident a delivery as possible by practising responses alone or with family and friends. People can find it difficult to talk about their talent and ability. The more you practise, the less alien it will sound. List everything you could be asked or want to ask yourself. Thorough preparation can eliminate a lot of nerves.
2. Look After Yourself
Candidates often overlook this point. Don’t pretend to be casual in order to hide nervousness. Accept that interviews take energy and concentration. Physically and mentally prepare for the challenge. Get an early night. Be sure to eat before you go - even if the thought sends you running to the bathroom. A well-tended body compliments a clear mind. Don’t forget that this is something you want to do. Give yourself every chance to succeed.
3. Try To Stay Calm
Nerves set in when we do not feel in control. Your outfit should be clean and ironed(grease spots on ties are visual magnets). Forms, certificates or references should be at hand. Know how long it takes to reach your interview - a wrong guess is guaranteed to cause anxiety and beginning with an apology is not a positive start.
4. Arrive with plenty of time
There’s more to this than showing evidence of punctuality. You may be interviewing in a different department, building, town or city. Arriving early gives you the time to get used to this new environment and eliminate some of the feelings of the unknown. You may need to cool down, catch your breath or put the final touches to your appearance. Now is also the time to switch off those mobile phones!
5. First Impressions
A smile and firm handshake go a long way. Even if you feel like a rabbit in headlights, cover it with a bright smile. You could be in
competition with candidates with similar experience and qualifications. Interviewers may be analysing you for the ‘right fit’. You are more likely to be seen as a person that can join an existing team if you appear confident and approachable.
6. Change Roles
Try to analyse the interview as if you were the interviewer. What would you be looking for in a candidate? How is your experience or your qualifications interesting to the interviewer? What would you like to hear if your roles were reversed? Think about those questions then try to tailor your responses towards them. Don’t forget that there is more to a role than duties and responsibilities. You are selling yourself as a package.
7. Concentrate on Listening
Listening is highly valued. Show you can listen and are interested in what the interviewer says. Maintain eye contact. This is especially important when interviewing for a post within a familiar environment, such as with departmental promotion.
8. Show Don’t Tell
Examples of your skills are incredibly powerful. ‘I’m good at teamwork’ is a vague statement. Evidence of your ability is much more effective - ‘When the department adopted new targets some junior team members struggled to control their workload and I was involved in an initiative to help them cope.’
9. Ask Don’t Grill
Asking questions at interview is as important as answering them. Despite popular belief, now is not the time to begin probing and prodding about terms and conditions, salaries or perks. You’re interested in this role and how you can contribute to it. Show it.
10. Plan A Treat
Have something fun organised for after the interview. Theatre, cinema, sports, dinner. No matter how it goes on the day, you deserve to know that there’s a treat waiting at the end of it all.
Good luck!