If you have been selected for an interview , your resume and your general qualifications have been successfully communicated. You should be pleased that you have been chosen from a large number of candidates. Do not waste this opportunity – this is where the real work begins. Interviewers are looking for the very best candidate and to be this person you need to be fully prepared and able to convince the person doing the interviewing that you are the obvious choice for the job.
Be the solution to the problem. Every job posting represents a problem that a company is trying to solve. It could be as simple as a need for additional staff, or, it could be an attempt to ‘fix’ something such as a failing product line or a recently vacated position. Knowing what the hiring issue is will make it easier to represent yourself as the solution to the problem.
Know the company you’re interviewing with. Prior to the interview learn as much as you can about your potential employer – who they are, what they do and who their customer is. With that information you will not only build confidence but you will also know how to position your own skills and experience in terms of the company’s needs.
Dress for Success If you walk into your interview looking like a million dollars it will convey the message that you respect yourself, the company that you are interviewing with and that you are a professional. Look neat and clean and wear a conservative suit it is better to over-dress than to be under-dressed.
Those First Few Minutes at the Beginning The Handshake :Make sure your palm is dry and as cool as possible and shake hands with your interviewer in a firm and friendly manner. This shows confidence and grace under pressure. Make Eye Contact: Looking your interviewer straight in the eye shows that you are confident and honest. This will impress them and make you appear capable. Continue making eye contact throughout the entire interview and avoid allowing your eyes to wander around the room as it indicates a lack of interest. Smile: A smile shows that you are easygoing and relaxed. They indicate that you are a team player. And there is nothing interviewers want more than team players. If They Offer you a Drink, Take One: Everyone in an interview is so quick to say, "no thanks" when they are offered coffee, juice or water. Go ahead and take it. You can take sips while you think about your answers…and, it will buy you time.
Be enthusiastic but not too eager. Obviously an employer wants their executives to be enthusiastic about their work, however too much enthusiasm may appear as if you’re reaching for the job and do not have the necessary experience. You may find that you are being offered less money on the belief that you will be earning job satisfaction and experience. Don’t let them think you would pay for the chance to work for them.
Have alternatives - and let the employer know you have them. You don’t want to appear as if this interview is your only hope. Your value is enhanced if you have other job offers and you will be able to negotiate terms more effectively with a backup plan. Knowing that a key candidate has other options will also force an employer to arrive at a decision more quickly.
The Career Council is the #1 person-to-person solution for Job Interview Coaching. We offer the answers to your interview questions, share with you the "Secrets of Successful Interviewing" and teach you the "30 Second Sell". Face-to-face or via Skype we will give you the skills training needed to transform you into a Key Candidate. Check out how we can help you at www.careercouncil.ca |
