Career Advice Series Part 7: 5 Ways to Ace Your Interview
You’re
getting closer and closer to being offered the job of your dreams but you just
have one hurdle to get through – the interview. Thinking about coming face to
face with your future employer might be daunting, but as long as you’ve done all the preparation you need, the
interview should be nothing but a walk in the park.
5 Ways to Ace Your Interview
You’ve
done your preparation, you look the part and have practised your interview
responses, so you should be on your way to acing your interview with your
future employer. However, nerves can often get the better of people or certain
questions can catch you out – so we’ve put together a few tips to help you become
a master at interviews.
Don’t be late!
It might
seem like a no brainer – but being on time is paramount. If you live close by
to where your interview is, it can be tempting to leave it until the last
minute to set off on your journey. However, you never know whether there will
be traffic, a late bus or a delayed train. Give yourself plenty of time to get
to your interview without rushing and panicking, otherwise this will be
detrimental to your frame of mind once you are in the interview. Turning up
late by even a minute will make a bad first impression.
Impress everybody – not just your interviewer
You might
feel that your interview begins once you are sat in front of your interviewer,
but truthfully it begins the moment you walk through the door. Make sure you
are polite with everyone you come across before starting your interview, and
that means absolutely everyone – that “receptionist” who met you at the door
and the “mailman” walking around might just be your future managers. Make
conversation in a friendly and professional manner, however, do not talk too
much or prevent anyone from doing their job.
Be confident
Your body
language speaks volumes before you even say a word – so ensure you have a
positive aura about you, whilst staying professional and calm. Keep your chin
up (but not too high!) and your back straight, fold your hands not your arms,
and remember to smile and make eye contact. Speak in a confident manner and
speak properly – do not use slang. Even if you take longer than usual to
respond, thinking before you speak is better than blurting something out
mindlessly. All of this will go a long way to ensuring you create a lasting,
positive impression on your potential employer.
Arrive prepared
Of
course, you have done your pre-interview preparation but it can help if you
arrive at the interview with materials that can help you. Take a folder with
you that contains a copy of your CV, a list of references and any information
about the company you may need – it will show the employer that you’re organised
and conscientious. If you’re applying for a writing or creative role, turn up
with a few samples of your work, or an entire portfolio – which ever works
best. In these cases, turning up empty handed will show the employer that
you’re unorganised and haven’t put much forethought into your interview. You
want this job and you are right for the role – the proof is in the pudding, as
they say, so show them with your work.
Answer truthfully and be yourself
Be
prepared to answer some of the most obvious questions that will come up in the
interview. You will always be asked at least one or two questions and often
times they are ones you will be able to prep an answer for in advance. Practise
responses to a few common questions, then which ever come up you should be able
to answer them in a lucid manner.
You
should prepare questions to ask the interviewers as well. In every interview
there is a chance for you to ask any questions you might have so it’s best to
make sure you have a few up your sleeve – as the answer to some may be given
during the interview process. Coming to an interview with no questions shows
you are not very interested, don’t really care and have put no time into
preparations – a big black mark next to your name.
Lastly,
and most importantly – just be yourself. You’ll be in a professional interview
setting so it might seem convenient to panic and lie when you don’t have the ‘perfect’
answer to a question, such as not having enough experience or knowledge, but
they’ll always find out the truth, especially if you get the job! So plan, prepare,
and present well, you only get one chance to make a first impression, so make
yours count!
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Publish
date: April 2018