Interview techniques

* First and foremost, be prepared. Make sure you know where you are going, what time    your interview is due to start, who you are meeting, their position within the business,    the nature of the business and the nature of the role. Knowledge of the client’s    business history and product/service offering is always an impressive start.

* Plan the best route and allow for error and traffic depending on the time of day.    www.mulitmap.com is a good site to visit for route planning and estimated travel times.

* If taking public transport, ensure that you have enough time to get from the train/bus    station to the interview and that you have allowed for any slight delays.

* Do not arrive at the reception at the exact time that your interview is due to start. By    the time your interviewer has been informed of your arrival, you could technically be    late for your appointment.

* Dress for the occasion. Interviewers like to see traditional black, blue or grey suits and    polished shoes. Even if you know that the client site has a relaxed dress code, you    should always attend ‘suited and booted’ unless you have been informed otherwise.

* On meeting your interviewer, a firm handshake with plenty of eye contact will always be    well received.

* It is important to maintain eye contact throughout the interview. If there is a panel of    interviewers, be sure to address them all and not just respond directly to the person    that has asked the question.

* Avoid the temptation of fiddling or fidgeting which can be a distinct show of nerves when    in a high-pressure situation. People who fidget in interviews are often perceived to be    telling lies.

* Answer the question directly. An all too frequent interview blunder is to go off at a    tangent in waffle mode allowing your audience to get quickly frustrated or incredibly    bored. Keep your answers relevant.

* Substantiate your answers by making references to specific examples and situations    that you have personally experienced. Even take along samples of work if applicable.

* Re-hearse the answers to typical questions that always arise in interview situation such    as:

• Why do you think you are suitable for this role?
• What could you offer our company?
• What is your greatest achievement?
• What are your strengths/weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
• How would your friends describe you?
• What three words best describe you?

* Prepare a list of questions that you may want to ask the panel at the end of the    interview. If the questions have all been answered during the course of the interview,    simply show the panel that you have come prepared but that all topics have been    adequately covered.

* The subject of money should always come up last and should be initiated by the    interviewer.

* Make sure that you are aware of what salary has been discussed between the client and    recruitment consultant before you go to the interview. A poor match of figures can very    often prevent a successful outcome and ruin any chance you have of obtaining that    golden job offer. Unless you have a very good reason for raising or lowering your salary    expectations during an interview, agree on your value with your recruitment    representative before the crucial interview stage.

* Think positively at all times. Even if you feel the interview is going disastrously wrong,    persevere. You perception of your performance and the interviewers perception of you    can often be entirely different yet still favourable to you. Don’t give up. Give every    interview your best shot. Good luck!