Twelve key points to bear in mind in order to transform your hard-won job interview to a lucrative offer.
Below are twelve key points to bear in mind in order to transform your hard-won job interview to a lucrative offer.
1. Practice
The importance of practice and preparation cannot be emphasized
enough. Generally, a jobhunter is much more versed in the fine art of
interviewing if they have been out looking for jobs and interviewing for
a while; it is critical however for newcomers to the interviewing scene
to know what to expect, how best to behave in an interview setting and
how to answer the questions in a manner that reflects on them most
positively. Be updated on current literature.
2. Have the company, industry and product line well researched
You are much more likely to impress and convince the employer of your
unique suitability for the job if you are intimately familiar with the
company, its position in the industry, its product lines and what may be
required for a candidate in your role. Once you can see yourself as
part of a "big picture" you can better formulate your answers, prepare
your skills inventory and formulate your success stories as they
directly relate to the company's requirements.
3. Arrive early
Respect the interviewer's time. Aim to arrive 15 minutes early and
busy yourself with the company or industry literature while you wait.
You can also use the time to go over your CV and answers you have
prepared so you feel more relaxed and in control during the interview.
If disaster strikes and you are running late, make sure to call the
interviewer to inform them.
4. Be aware of the importance of first impressions
As you have heard a myriad times before, you will not get a second
chance to make a first impression so make sure your first impression
conveys a successful, enthusiastic, well-mannered professional who will
be an asset to the team. Smile and shake hands firmly when you meet the
interviewer and be aware that over 60% of the cues being communicated to
the interviewer are non-verbal cues. Watch your body language, gestures
and tone of voice and bear in mind that the manner in which you are
conveying information may be as important as what you are saying. Stay
calm and focused and demonstrate self-confidence and professionalism in
your answers and how you deliver them. Your attire MUST be professional
and you must be well-groomed for your interviews, it is far better to
err on the conservative side than to arrive dressed in a slovenly manner
and communicate a complete disregard and disrespect for industry norms
and the company culture.
5. Keep your answers brief and to the point
Answer the questions directed at you in a precise and succinct manner
and make sure you do not ramble or get carried away on an irrelevant
and inconsequential tangent. The more you get carried away on a given
question the more likely you are to slip up and communicate weaknesses
or factoids that are best not brought to bear at the interview stage.
Demonstrate clarity of mind and thought process by making your answers
simple and to the point - this does not however involve killing the
conversation flow with yes/no answers. Aim to keep the conversation
going on a pleasant professional respectful tone with answers that
illustrate your strengths and experience and keep the intervi ewer
excited to learn more.
6. Bring to bear facts and data from your past experiences to support your answers
Make sure to support all your answers with accurate facts and figures
to gain credibility with the interviewer and show you have a keen eye
for the bottom line. Expound in detail on targets achieved or
overachieved and talk about measurable milestones and contributions to
the bottom line whether they be in terms of money made, money saved,
losses averted or otherwise. Be very specific about your skills and
describe past success stories that support them in accurate,
quantifiable detail.
7. Know your strengths and make sure you communicate them at least once
The interviewer is looking to hire a winner who has had a record of
achieving success in a similar capacity in the past. Be prepared to
elaborate on past successes that bear in a direct manner on the present
job and show how those experiences are directly relevant to the role,
responsibilities and skillset required for the present job. Keep in mind
that the employer is looking to minimize his/her risk by hiring a
candidate who has excelled in a similar or identical role in the past
and can brings these skills to bear on the present job. Even if your
past job was very different than the present one, you will be able to
come up with success stories that relate directly to the job
requirements in that they highlight key skills or character traits
whether they be creativity, initiative, problem-solving acumen, sales
skills, negotiation skills, communication skills etc.
8. Do not dwell on weaknesses or personal matters
Two areas that have no place during the interview stage are your
weaknesses and your personal life. Avoid talking about personal matters
and answer any question on weaknesses with either a brief explanation of
what area you would like to further develop your skills in or by
reiterating a key strength of yours that you perhaps take too far. The
first shows you know what key skill you need further work on and are
willing to take action on it and the second approach reiterates a key
point of strength. You may also mention a weakness that is completely
unrelated to the position at hand eg if you are applying for a creative
role in and advertising agency you can mention that your accounting or
investment management skills are not your strongest point and you are
much more comfortable in a creative role. Whatever you do don't open a
can of worms and torpedo your chances of securing the job by dwelling on
real weaknesses and shortcomings that directly relate to your ability
to excel at the job.
9. Ask questions
Have a prepared beforehand that are designed to impress the employer and show
that you are familiar with current company/industry issues. An
appropriate line of questioning can make for excellent conversation and
will leave the employer with the impression that you have done your due
diligence and researched the company and industry thoroughly. Do not ask
about salary and vacations at the early interview stages.
10. Talk like an insider
If you have researched the company, industry and product lines
thoroughly you will be able to talk like an insider and impress with
your insider's insight on relevant issues. Keep the conversation flow
fluid and informative by bringing up facts you have learned about the
company and its products and competitors and show how you, armed with
your unique skillset and experiences, can positively impact the bottom
line.
11. Do not discuss salary too early
Asking about salary
is too early in an interview will make you appear mercenary. A potential
employer will look for enthusiasm for the job itself, not just the
salary on offer. Most serious companies will have a formal wage
structure - so don't be afraid to ask about it at the appropriate time.
Prior research into realistic salary expectations will also help avoid
embarrassment.
12. Do not overpromise
Don't promise what you are not in a position to deliver. Your over
confidence will eventually catch you out, with potentially serious
consequences, should you actually get the job. Promote your skills
enthusiastically but stick to the facts.
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