29 Feb Tara’s Tips: How to Blitz the Interview!

Posted at 14:12h in Interviews, Tara's Tips by

To get to the interview stage, they already believe you could do the job!

The interview is your opportunity to sell yourself and your skills. Employers decide on an appropriate employee on a range of areas. These areas include:

Skills, knowledge and abilities; Personality and whether you will “fit” into the team and with the culture of the organisation; Presentation; Attitude; Availability; References

You need to sell the whole package rather than just having the skills to do the job.

Pre-Interview Checklist

  • Research the company
  • Research the job
  • Plan your transport
  • Have the exact address
  • Practice your answers
  • Plan what you are going to wear (2 days before)
  • Prepare an interview folder
  • Have a mock interview

Preparing for a Job Interview

Arrive 10-15 minutes early. This gives you time: to gather your thoughts, to check your appearance, to ensure you are at the right address & to relax and not be rushed.

It is important to be prepared.

  • Ensure you have the correct time/address. Research transport/parking options
  • Allow for last minute hitches ie traffic jam. Plan to get there half an hour early.
  • Research the company – find out what their business is and what they provide. This is especially important for professional positions.
  • Have a copy of your resume to give to the employer (and a couple of spares).
  • Dress appropriately, give yourself time to iron your clothes, and feel refreshed.
  • Remember first impressions are very important and a poor first impression is hard to overcome.
  • Be confident and ‘psyche yourself’.   Be in the right mood to sell yourself.
  • Know the correct pronunciation of the interviewer’s name.
  • Refresh your memory on the information on your FORMER employer & your application. List your previous duties/responsibilities. Think of specific examples of tasks and duties you performed in your previous employment.
  • Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
  • Think of questions that the employer will ask you. Practise your answers.
  • Know your market value. Be prepared to specify your required salary or range, if asked

The statistics on how we make an impression:

Your appearance makes an instant impression when meeting people for the first time (actually, in the first 30 seconds). Statistics show that when we meet new people the impact we make is via:

55% – the way we dress, act and walk through the door 38% – the quality of our voice, grammar and overall confidence level and a mere 7% from what we actually say!

At the End of the Interview

  • Be ready to ask suitable questions
  • Summarise your key selling points& suggest the interviewer contact your referees – offer any new names/numbers if you have them
  • Tell them that you are very interested in the job
  • If the interviewer offers you the job accept it then and there
  • Thank them for the interview and don’t ramble on

Summary

  • Plan and prepare
  • Dress for success
  • Be on time
  • Establish rapport
  • Ask questions
  • Don’t discuss wages
  • Be a good listener
  • Be enthusiastic
  • First impressions
  • Relax & be YOU!

Good luck!!

Happy job searching!

Tara 🙂

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