CAROUSEL RECRUITMENT IN AND AROUND LONDON
Interview Tips
- Dress so that you arrive looking your best – if in any doubt; be too conservative rather than too flashy.
- Always take an up–to–date CV with you.
- Try and get a good night’s sleep the night before the big day.
- If you are nervous say so – most interviewers will make allowances for this.
- Give yourself plenty of time to get there. You can always get a cup of coffee and read through your notes if you arrive in the vicinity early. You may feel harassed and flustered if you are late. So, if possible, consider doing a dummy run a few days before.
- Try to avoid going into the building more than 10 minutes before your appointment. It may make you or those working in reception uncomfortable.
- Look around while you are waiting; get a sense of how people are behaving, look at house/trade magazines, sales literature on display.
- Comb your hair; freshen up before you arrive at reception. If this is not possible ask to go to the washroom.
- Remember first impressions count! The receptionist or secretary who greets you may be asked their opinion on you. Be friendly and polite but not over familiar. Smile be confident.
- Glance around the office when you enter it. Don’t develop tunnel vision. This is natural behaviour in strange surroundings.
- It is usual to shake hands in greeting. If you are nervous and sweaty palmed, then wipe them before you go in. Offer a firm, brief clasp, practise with a friend; check for firmness not a watery wipe of hands.
The Interview
Be aware of how you sit at interview. Make sure you sit at the back of the chair (so you can lean forward interestedly, or lean back to scribble a note).
Position your chair slightly diagonal to the desk if there is one. If the chair is positioned square- on this leaves you in a potentially head-on confrontational position. Remember better interviewers will not stay their side of the desk, but you will also potentially meet many not so experienced interviewers who are not so practised in making you feel comfortable.
Be aware of the tone of your voice - try and relax and maintain the tone of voice you might adapt when talking to your boss. Women need to be aware that voice levels can rise and can sound squeaky and girlish in anxious situations. (Men apparently have a tendency to ramble)!
Don’t use first names, (even if yours is used), unless expressly asked to (There are exceptions you will recognise – eg the advertising agency, the very informal environment where staff are in casual clothes).
Make sure it is obvious that you are interested in listening to the interviewer, both by words, your physical alertness, and body language. Nod the head, make eye contact, smile!
Don’t let the pattern of questions and answers flow only one way. Ask questions about the job, company procedures, objectives, the future. Be interested!
When you are answering stick to the essentials. Avoid losing the interviewer in excessive detail.
Watch out for phraseology that may be too technical for the interviewer. Jargonised in one job may be gobbledygook in another.
Appreciate that most of the interviewer's questions are for reassurance that you know your subject and have adequate experience. It is okay to admit a couple of failures but make sure that you punch home the successes, even if the interviewer doesn’t ask precisely the right questions to draw out these points. If what you are saying interests them, they won’t even remember what was asked.
Never run down your last company/boss and don’t talk about redundancy at all except in response to a direct question – keep it short.
Don’t waffle. Don’t give personal details, which are not asked for unless they demonstrate something you want the interviewer to know.
Ask how the vacancy arose (can be very informative).
Make sure you have the factual information correct and committed to memory, particularly work experience.
If you want to take notes, ask first if it would be acceptable.
Find out about the company before you go for interview.
Accentuate how effective, conscientious, skilled etc you are. Never forget you are your best public relations person.
Please, please don’t give yes/no answers to questions. Volunteer relevant information to keep the flow of conservation going.
Watch for signals such as – fidgeting, glancing at papers on the desk, putting hands behind heads etc. These might suggest that the interviewer is losing interest and you are losing control of the interview situation. Are you telling them something they already know, or don’t care to know?
END OF INTERVIEW
Before you leave make sure you have a timetable. When can you expect to hear from them? Will there be a further interview with someone else? Who?
Telll the interviewer how interesting and informative you have found the meeting and how much the job appeals to you, as your input will produce results.
Don’t forget to smile. Enjoy the interview - think of it as one more stage on the journey to the ideal position! ... Remember people hire people they like!
