You will be very familiar with the old adage “it’s who you know not what you know”. Very true in interview scenarios as personality is the main selection driver, remember your CV has already won you the chance to elaborate on your skills.
The first five minutes are the most important to any interview, followed by the final five. Pay particular attention to building a good rapport, this will set the tone of the interview and break down any barriers the interviewer may have. The final moments will imbed you in the consciousness of the interviewer, critical when they have multiple interviews during a single day.
You need to appear professional, relevant and interesting. Your future employer is both looking for specific skills and experience and also for someone who will fit in with the team or company culture, so be yourself and remember that enthusiasm can often compensate for lack of experience. Researching the prospective employer can provide an insight into their culture and management styles, which will be as unique as your own fingerprint.
However suitable you think you are for the position, there is no substitute for thorough preparation. Find out about the company, its history, its competitors, the markets in which it operates and any current news about them which may point to a corporate strategy. Prepare answers to the questions you are most likely to be asked, what would you ask yourself if the roles were reversed? We would recommend reviewing your CV before the interview to ensure you remember answers to what seem like simple questions. We come across countless instances where candidates forget dates and even skills that they have listed on their CV’s. These errors will put doubt into the interviewers mind.
Don't forget that it’s a two-way discussion and you should ask questions about the organisation, team your joining, prospects etc after all is this organisation and this job what you are really looking for?
If you are unsure about your interview technique our consultants are able to give you tailored help and advice including practicing interview answers with you.
Good luck!
