Interview Advice
Tips for a successful interview
What is an interview
A job interview is your chance to show an employer what he or she will get if your hired. That is why it is essential to be well prepared for the job interview. Preparing means knowing about the industry, the employer, and yourself. It means paying attention to details like personal appearance, punctuality, and demeanour.
Research
Knowledge is your best weapon. That starts with the very basic bit of knowledge regarding job interviews. Before you research the industry and the company and even before you practice answering the questions you might be asked, you should have some general information about job interviews.
Before you begin to think about how you will dress for the interview, or answer questions, you should do your homework. Gather as much information about the employer as you can. Not only will you appear informed and intelligent, it will also help you make a decision if a job offer is eventually made. Gathering employer information is not always an easy task, especially if the employer is a small private company.
Researching Yourself
You might want to prepare for answering questions by listing some of your attributes. Talk to former co-workers with whom you worked closely. Ask them to list some traits about you that they most admired in the workplace.
Try to find some faults as well. You won’t, obviously, spontaneously tell a prospective employer about these faults, but you may be asked to. One question that sometimes comes up in an interview is "What is something that has been a problem for you at work?" By studying your faults, you will be able to choose one that is somewhat innocuous or could be turned around into a positive.
Practice Makes Perfect
You want to seem somewhat spontaneous, but you also want to appear self-confident. The way to do that is to rehearse, not exactly what you will say, but how you will say it. A great method is to rehearse in front of a video camera. Study your posture, the way you make eye contact, and your body language. If you don’t have a video camera, a mirror will do. Have a friend do mock interviews with you. The more you repeat a scenario, the more comfortable you will begin to feel with it.
Dealing with Tricky Questions
We have all heard horror stories of interviewers asking job candidates inappropriate questions, such as those about marital status, age, and family status. These questions should not be asked, but it is up to you whether to answer them. Often, interviewers are not aware of the legal issues involved. If you feel uncomfortable answering them, you can change the subject. If you feel these questions are being asked with intent to discriminate, you can let the employer know you cannot answer. Remember that the employer will probably find some reason not to hire you. Whether you pursue the matter legally is a personal choice. Keep in mind, though, that an unethical employer is not one with whom you want to be affiliated.
Money
On an interview the candidate should not be afraid to bring up the subject of money (it may be seen as a positive sign by some employers). Sometimes the interviewer may well bring it up first. He or she may ask what salary you hope to earn. You must prepare for this question before the interview. Find out what others in the same position are earning. Always give a range, not an exact number. This will help keep you from pricing yourself out of a job. You don't want the employer to think they can't afford you, but you also don't want them to think you are a cheap commodity.
After the Interview
This is something that is too often neglected. It’s the thank you note or follow-up letter. It is your chance to reiterate something you mentioned on the interview or bring up something you forgot to mention. It is also a nice gesture and a simple matter of politeness.
You should try to send a note to each person who took part in your interview. If you don’t remember the name of each person, call the receptionist for some help. Keep your note brief. Make sure it is typed. Someone at a workshop once asked me if the thank you note would make you look like you were "kissing up" to the employer. I don't believe so. I do believe that it sets you apart from everyone else who forgot to or chose not to do this.
And Finally
Above all, show that you are an active listener. An interviewer will not be impressed if you consistently provide answers that miss the point. At all times, stay focused on what you are being asked and avoid the temptation to go into waffle overdrive in your replies. You should never carry a mobile phone into an interview, but if you have to make sure it is switched off before. Perspective employers will not take kindly to it going off in the middle of an interview.
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