These people want to give you a job
A company will only spend time and money interviewing serious candidates
for the job. Try not to think of the interviewers as the enemy. Your covering
letter and CV demonstrated that, on paper, you have the basics of what
they are looking for. The employer essentially wants to find out if you can do the
job, if you
are keen to have the job and if you will fit in with the people who are
already working there.
- Be positive. Even when things have gone badly for you try to think
positively about what you have learnt from the experience. Think of
the optimistic response.
- Be enthusiastic and be yourself. Listen carefully to the interviewer(s).
Answer the question they ask, not the one you were hoping they would
ask.
- Don't give "yes" or "no" answers. Volunteer extra
relevant information. Be prepared to expand on something, which seems
to interest the interviewer. Cut short descriptions when they are clearly
not so interested.
- Ask for clarification. Don't pretend to know something when
you don't or try to answer a question you have not understood. Be ready to
recognise the simple question calling for a brief answer. Never offer
derogatory information about yourself.
- Promote your strengths. Leave others to identify weaknesses.
- Deal with unexpected questions. No matter how well prepared you are,
there will be some unexpected questions. Give yourself a moment to think
before you answer. A moment of thinking will not be interpreted
negatively. If you
may feel that you have answered a question badly, it is quite acceptable
to ask if you can come back to a question later or to ask to return
to one you had partially answered earlier.
- Before the interview concludes, ask them about the next steps in
the selection process and when you might expect to hear from them.
- When the interview has concluded, express your thanks for their time
and shake hands with all interviewers. And remember, the interview is
not really over until you have left the building!
- Towards the end of the interview, the interviewer is likely to ask
if you have any questions. See later in this section for What
questions should I ask?