Article by:
Annette Lewis
While regarded by many as an imperfect way to choose a new
employee, interviews are used by almost all organisations
irrespective of size or sector. You may not like the process and
indeed some fear interviews intensely however to get that crucial
first job and to move up the career ladder you must become not only
comfortable in the interview room but also learn how to become an
excellent interviewee.
Many candidates believe that having a
great resume/CV is enough to see them through the interview and win
the job offer. This is a common mistake that results in
disappointment. The reality is that all candidates have a great
resume/CV and in my experience it is often not the applicant with
the best experience or skills who will win the job rather the one
who performs best at the interview.
So just what do you have
to do to stand out of the crowd and impress on the interviewer that
you are the right person for the job? This article looks at the key
techniques that any job interview candidate can use, irrespective of
the type or level of the position to succeed and win those great job
offers.
Be Prepared:
A common mistake made by
candidates is not being fully prepared and there really is no
excuse. There is usually more than enough time from the date you
receive your invite to the interview itself and proper preparation
and practice will enhance greatly your ability to answer questions,
to communicate and to present yourself in the best possible light.
There is no one recommended way to prepare for an interview.
Instead, there are key tools and techniques that can be used to
improve one's chances of interview success. Find out as much as
possible about the type and format of the interview. Research the
company to find out how commercially viable it is, what skills are
they looking for and discover if the company is right for
you.
Focus on your strengths:
Remember that the
organisation knows that you CAN do the job and they want you to
confirm this to them during the interview. Don't let any negative
experiences or a gap in your career for example negate all the great
work you have done.
Step into the Interviewers
Shoes:
What exactly is the interviewer looking for from you?
Imagine yourself in the interviewers place and try to get a feel for
what they need from you. Once you can do that effectively you will
be able to build a relationship with them from the first moment of
the interview.
Listen:
Focus on the questions being
asked and if you are not sure of the meaning of the question, then
ask. This is a two way conversation and the interviewer will respond
favourable to being engaged like this however, don't do this with
every question as you may come across as lacking in
confidence.
Relevant Answers:
Keep your answers
relevant to the question and do not be tempted to ramble. You may
have an interesting story to tell or a great strength but if it is
not required in the job don't mention it.
Body
Language:
Smiling, maintaining eye contact, a relaxed focused
posture, restrained gesticulation are all examples of good body
language which will work for you in the interview.
Ask
Questions:
You will be given an opportunity to ask questions
usually at the end however you do not have to wait until then
necessarily. As in any conversation there will be appropriate time
when you can interject and ask relevant questions. Be aware that
questions about salary, working hours, holidays etc should not be
asked at this stage.
About
the Author:
2006© Annette Lewis is an accredited
interviewer, job coach and career consultant. She provides free
advice and help for job interview candidates at http://www.blueskyinterviews.co.uk
Article Source:
www.iSnare.com
