To tell somebody that you're the most qualified and dedicated person for a job takes real strength and courage, and doing it well during an interview situation is a skill. Maximise your chance of success with the guidelines below:
Preparation:
Do: Thoroughly research the company. Looking at the company's website is the first stage of your research, but take it further by looking for recent articles relating to them or their work, because even if their website is comprehensive, it may not be up to date. Look at competitors' websites, something that many applicants fail to do. Next, find out about trade magazines and get hold of some back issues. This kind of research will give you a better understanding of the industry and environment as a whole that the company works in, and will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position with knowledge and conviction.
Don't: Leave your appearance to the last minute. Ensure your smart business wear is clean, ironed and ready, shoes are polished, and that your hair is clean and tidy. Don't wear cartoon ties or socks, and keep jewellery and make-up to a minimum.
Do: Read the job advert and job description thoroughly. Pay careful attention to all areas; try to think of examples of where you have demonstrated doing each aspect in the past. If there are any aspects of the job descriptions that your experience only somewhat covers, think of a related example and prepare to be quizzed on how you might overcome this.
Don't: Be surprised. Find out what the interview will entail. Ask your contact at the company or recruiter (if you’re using one) whether there are any tests involved, who will be interviewing, and if you need to do bring anything with you (eg, passport, certificates, driving licence and so on).
Do: visit the location beforehand and have a back up mode of transport ready should anything go wrong (eg, get a taxi number and cash ready in-case your car doesn't start or the train is late).
Arrival at the interview:
Do: Arrive five to 10 minutes early. Any earlier will put your interviewer under unnecessary pressure, any later and your punctuality will be questioned.
Do: Smile. You should be positive and polite to everybody you meet, smiling makes you appear and feel more confident.
Don't: Fidget. Nerves show through voluntary and involuntary movements such as fidgeting with hands or pens, or tapping your feet. At the start of the interview, take a deep breath and place your hands on your knees or in your lap, keep your feet together and on the floor to stop you from unwittingly moving them.
Do: Shake hands firmly. A good handshake is a dry one, reasonably firm but not so firm that the other person’s fingers crumple in pain. Keep a tissue in your pocket to touch discreetly to ensure that your hands are moisture free.
Don't: Slouch. Body language is very important. If you're prone to slouching, crossing your arms or leaning you should make an extra effort to mask this. A good idea is to mirror the interviewer, for example leaning forward when they do, which really highlights how keen and interested you are.
During the interview:
Now you've made it through the door, you should take a deep breath and remind yourself that you’re here to demonstrate your skills, capabilities and enthusiasm.
Do: Link your answers to the question. When people feel pressured, there is a tendency to rely on information that they have prepared, and this can mean going off on a tangent and not answering the questions posed. Try to link your experience to the question asked and the qualities that you know they’re looking for.
Do: Qualify yourself. Many interviewers use competency based questions where they ask you to provide specific examples of where you have demonstrated your skills. For example saying that you delivered presentations at university won't cut it – anybody can say that. Highlight a specific project, give details of when, why, and how you approached it. Being this specific enables the interviewer to be confident that you can do what you say. Examples from professional and personal experiences are fine, but do try to take more examples from 'formal' situations, such as university.
Don't: Assume that you have the job in the bag or indicate that there isn't any challenge in the role. This will either leave the interviewer thinking you're too senior for the role or too arrogant for it.
Do: Speak up. Speak clearly and confidently, and try to talk at a normal pace. Always accept a glass of water if it is offered in case you get a dry throat or the interview lasts longer than anticipated.
Don't: Be negative. You should try to be enthusiastic and positive. This is important for discussing past experiences such as part time jobs, or other interviews that you have had. They may not have worked out but don't slate them, it's not professional and you never know whether the interviewer is asking because they have a connection in common.
Do: Ask questions. Prepare five to 10 questions beforehand. Even if you cover some during your interview, you can show them your list and run through them when asked.
Don't: Forget to take a pen and notepad.
Do: Thank the interviewer for their time. Convey your enthusiasm about the position and company by letting them know you’ll be keen to hear back.
If you knew that somebody was giving £100 to the first person who could run 100 metres in under a minute, you'd strap your trainers on (prepare), arrive on time, give it your best shot, and say thank you when you get your money. An interview is a similar opportunity, which takes effort and preparation. Occasionally there are other candidates whose skills best match the role, but by preparing for your interview well you’ll give yourself a head start on everybody else.
The Author:
Liz Sutch is a consultant at Carrot Pharma Recruitment. She can be contacted on 0161 955 4406.
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