One of the most important things to remember when preparing for a job interview is that this is your opportunity to sell yourself to the hiring company. It is essential to ensure that you put your best foot forward and create a great first impression.
Our Recruitment Consultants offer guidance on what to do and what not to do before or during an interview.
Here are the top five things you should always do before or during an interview:
Be prompt; always try to arrive 10 minutes early for your job interview, but not too early. If you are unavoidably delayed, it is courteous to contact the organisation and provide your estimated time of arrival. It is also courteous to apologise for the delay.
First impressions count; ensure you are well-dressed, well-groomed and look professional for when you arrive. When you are greeted by the employer make sure you have a firm handshake and introduce yourself in a friendly manner.
Be prepared; take the time to construct valid and well-structured responses for some of the most anticipated interview questions. As well as preparing well thought out questions to ask the employer about their organisation to show your interest.
Be confident; it’s important to always speak clearly and demonstrate good manners, courtesy and maturity at every opportunity. You need to be assertive and confident, and express your willingness to work your way up within the company.
Be thankful; thank the interviewer for their time and consideration for the role.
Here are the top five things you should never do in a job interview:
Be negative; having low moral and ethical standards, displaying prejudice or personal intolerances, or being aggressive or arrogant all display negativity and can sabotage your chances of being a successful candidate.
Falsify; lying about your skills or experience in your interview can easily be discovered. Not only does your body language change when you lie but many employers double-check information using Google and LinkedIn.
Lack interest; showing a lack of interest in career planning or a disinterest in career development tells the recruiter that you are not serious about your personal development. Whereas, being overly interested in rapid career advancement can display a lack of understanding about the career progression timescale.
Be unprepared; not knowing anything about the company you are interviewing for can show a lack of interest. Also, if you provide vague or unrelated answers to questions this can show that you are unprepared for your job interview.
Be slanderous; it is never a good idea to speak badly about your former employers and colleagues, as it shows the recruiter that you spread negativity.
These guidance tips can make an enormous difference to how the interviewer will perceive you and your ability to fulfil the role that you are applying for.
Download our recruitment guide today for Cover Letter and CV templates, as well as interview preparation and more expert top tips.
Sign up with ITonlinelearning today!
ITonlinelearning will cater for all your Online Learning needs by providing high-quality courseware and 5-star support!
