Anyone who followed our CV-writing advice last
week should
now find their diaries bursting with interview
dates. Now the
only obstacle left to clear is the interview.
Easy.
Job
interviews produce a sense of dread in most people
on a par with having teeth pulled or sitting a driving
test.
But why get stressed? If you know what to expect
and have prepared properly, nothing they say will
trip you up. If you haven't prepared properly, you
don't deserve the job.
Interviews should be a synch. You're there to sell
yourself, to convince the company they'd be doing
themselves a favour to hire you. If you're nervous,
this'll show itself more clearly than anything you're
saying. Your message will be lost.
But
help is out there. Top job-hunting website AllJobsUK.com
offers a step-by-step guide to surviving interviews.
Site boss Stephen O'Donnell says: 'Most people are
very poorly prepared for interviews. They see them
as some sort of interrogation rather than what they
are – a selling opportunity.
'The interviewer is as much in the dark as you are
about knowing who'll get the job – if you can
sell yourself and make their job easier, they'll
be grateful for that.'
AllJobsUK splits the interview process into six
stages that you need to get your head around –
preparation, learning answers to common questions,
the interview itself, points to be wary of, how
to close the interview and what to do when it's
over.
Once you know you're up for an interview, you should
find out as much about the company as possible.
One of the interview questions you're most likely
to face is, 'What do you know about our company?'
– and if you get anything wrong, you're out.
Other hoary old chestnuts include: 'Why are you
leaving your present job?', 'What does teamwork
mean to you?', 'Why do you want to work for our
company?' and the classic 'What are your major weaknesses?'.
If you know the answers to these, you're on your
way.
Other ways to get on the right side of your inquisitors,
the site says, are a good, firm handshake, avoiding
religious or political conversation, being on time
and truthfulness.
'The best piece of advice I can give to people is
"be enthusiastic",' Stephen says. 'Get yourself in a good mood. Give
yourself a treat – promise yourself chocolate or promise yourself
a curry or a beer when it's over – to get yourself in a positive frame of
mind. If you've got a smile on your face you'll do all right.'
— Tom Savage 17.11.00
