|
Recruitment Homepage Library
How To Succeed At Interview
The interview is a notoriously unreliable selection tool, yet
it is has been consistently rated in the top two most commonly
used (the other being reference checks!) for recruiting and promotion.
Throughout your career you are going to encounter interviews so
it is essential to think about how you can succeed at interview.
Here are some basic pointers.
Purpose of interviews
The basic purpose of an interview is to get evidence that an individual
will be successful in the available position. Evidence is gained
by asking, you the candidate, about various aspects of your career
to date, your circumstances and future plans. For a good interviewer
evidence is directly related to the job description, either through
desired behaviour or technical ability. Feelings, intuitions
or golf club membership should not come into it but invariably
it does.
Presentation
Interviewers should try to eliminate factors such as attractiveness
from their decisions, but it is simply impossible not to be influenced
by your appearance to some extent. A general rule of thumb is
to stick to more formal business attire even for creative positions.
Be neat even if you are not expensively or fashionably dressed.
Even if the company has a casual dress code, being more formal
than the interviewer will put you at ease and is not nearly as
bad as being more casual!
Body Language
A lot can be revealed by your body language, and you can use body
language to your advantage. Sit upright and alert keeping an
open posture, that is, face people when you speak to them as
far as you can and don't cross your arms in front of you or hide
behind a folder. Eye contact is essential and often difficult
to maintain. A very useful trick is to use the triangle technique.
Focus on one eye, then very briefly on the forehead then on the
other eye. This gives your own eyes a rest from focusing on one
position for a long time, and gives the impression of a more
relaxed confident attentiveness rather than the fixed stare of
a startled bunny!
Preparation
Before you go to an interview ensure you have done your homework
on the company and the position on offer. Displaying knowledge
of the company at the interview proves you have a real interest
and are to be taken seriously. Being able to relate your previous
experience to the position on offer in the interview reinforces
the impression that you can actually do the job. It will also
be an added boost to your confidence going in to an interview
if you know you have prepared well. Preparation can also help
you decide whether you really want the job at all and provide
material for the inevitable finale "Have you any questions
to ask us?"
Types of Questions
The interviewer should ask questions that allow you to either display
specific required knowledge or demonstrate the behavioural evidence
they are looking for. You should take advantage of the opportunities
presented regardless of the skill of the interviewer. If you
are asked a broad question like "Would you say you were
a good team player?" be sure you use the opportunity to
expand on what you feel are your strengths in a team. Use evidence
to back up your strengths. The answer could be - "Yes, I
have worked in many teams with different dynamics. My particular
strength is in ensuring that the project work is evenly spread
out and progressing well. For example when I…" The
opening statement demonstrates what you have to offer. The example
at the end is the evidence that a good interviewer is looking
for to help a decision about someone. Anyone can say they are
a good team player. Not everyone can demonstrate it with consistent
examples.
And finally…
Use the opportunity to sell yourself and to find out if it is the
sort of place that you want to work. Ask the interviewer directly
about his or her experience of the company. Always end on a positive
such as "I think I have learned a lot about your company
and would like to thank you for your time".
|
