Interview Tips & Tricks

With our previous blog, you should by now know the do`s and don`ts of what to include in your CV. Hence you probably applied at one place or another, and it is highly likely that you were called for an interview if you took note of our previous tips and tricks.

Step 1 – The Telephone Interview.

You receive a call from a number which is not familiar to you or even unknown, prepare yourself before answering. Go to a quiet location where you can communicate easily rather than with disruptions. If you are not available to pick up, you can always decline and call back when you are available.

Once this is settled, the interviewer might ask some icebreaking (but crucial) questions. Questions that may arise might be;

• Are you looking for a full-time role?
• What is your salary requirement?
• Do you have any plans to study further?
• Why are you planning to leave/ have you left your current employer?

One may agree that these are uncomfortable questions, but it is a standard and it is a benefit for both parties, as if you wouldn’t meet the criteria it would be useless to even set up the interview and waste both of your times. Make sure to answer the questions as honestly as possible; be direct and be prepared for such questions. After this conversation is concluded, you should by now have an appointment set if you were successful. Supposedly you will receive a confirmation email, if so make sure that you acknowledge the email as this shows a sense of responsibility and politeness.

What one should and should not do in an Interview?

There are many things that come up to one’s mind when it comes to an interview such as; clothing and the way that one behaves. Below is a list and explanation of what are the dos and dont`s of an interview. \

DO NOT

Show up late.

Being late for an interview isn’t going to reflect well on yourself. The first thing that you shall do is make contact with the interviewer. Being late for an interview can give the impression of a disorganised individual with poor time management skills. When you have a scheduled interview and you arrive late it is important that you don’t lose focus on what you have to say or what the interviewer is saying. Another important fact about showing up late for the interview is as an image it doesn’t look professional.

Wear casual/sporty attire.

Your own image should be delivered with a professional and formal approach, so as to make a first good impression. For the men: A plain ironed shirt, suit pants, clean plain smart shoes, a well-groomed face and NO body odour (use deodorant or perfume if necessary). For the women: A smart plain dress or suit pants and an ironed shirt, a smart hairstyle and no excessive make-up! The same rule applies for body odour…

Fidget!

When someone starts to fidget during the interviews it gives the impression that as a job applicant you are not confident enough and unprepared. Fidgeting gives a message of anxiousness and nervousness.

Lie on your CV!

Lying on your CV is not a professional way of how one should get a job. Remember everything that you wrote in the CV will be discussed during the interview therefore one has to be prepared for all the possible outcomes. As an applicant you should give clear and precise answers during the interview.

DO

Research the company!

Doing research about the company and the job position you applied for will create clarity for your own sake to determine whether you actually want to work for a company that offers such product/service. Alot of companies tend to test an individual and see whether s/he actually knows about what the company does.

Open up your Body Language!

Having a good posture and giving all your attention to your interviewer shows that you are confident and prepared for the interview. It is important that when you enter the room to not sit down immediately but wait for the interviewer to direct you. For one to have great body language as an applicant one should maintain eye contact but not in a way that you start to stare at the hiring manager. Apart from eye contact, one has to also keep a straight and open body posture. Not leaning too in because you might give the impression that you are being aggressive, but as well you shall not lean too back because you might give the impression that you are dozing of. The best thing to do is adapt a natural posture. At all cost one shall not cross his or her arms.

Be confident in a polite manner!

Politeness and behaviour are one of the main keys to get that Job that you always wished for. It shall not only be the interviewer who you should greet but everyone you meet that is working there, starting from the receptionist to the maintenance man. Greeting the employer with a warm smile and polite way is a professional way. It expresses confidence and means that you have done your research before the interview.

Be Proactive

Do discuss related points instead of asking irrelevant questions and do not reply in short and vague answers. If you have any questions you shall hold on to that thought and ask them as soon as the interviewer has finished his statement.
It is essential to refer to last experiences.. but don’t go into such detail that it becomes boring and irrelevant to the employer.

Follow up after the interview!

After the interview follow up with the hiring manager. Even by sending an E-mail of your interest in the position. You are showing commitment, and the motivation and interest towards the company. After the interview keep in mind the short points that he or she discussed with you during the interview and list them in an E-mail and send thanks to the hiring manager for giving you such an opportunity.

After the interview, good luck and hope all goes as you wish!