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The expectations of a prospective employer are formed during the pre-interview stage - from your CV and letter of introduction. Make sure you have a professional-looking CV emphasising your achievements and strengths, plus a strong covering letter illustrating how closely you match the job specification and giving details of your Unique Selling Points (USPs). (Click here for Hunter Campbell's Top Ten Tips on CV Writing) After that, whether you get the job or not, will be based on how well you interview.

Click here to view TOP 20 MOST COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES

A POSITIVE APPROACH TO INTERVIEWS

It's a well known fact that interviewers usually make up their mind about a candidate within the first few minutes of meeting him/her - and spend the rest of the interview justifying this first impression! That being the case, here's a few hints and tips to help you get off to a flying start!

	MAKE SURE YOU LOOK GOOD
	"You'll never get a second chance to make a good first impression"

Since interviewers have extremely limited information on which to base their final decision, how you look has a tremendous influence on your success rate.
Although there are no hard and fast rules on exactly what to wear, as a general rule it's a good idea to err on the formal side. Research also tells us that all those things parents and teachers stressed, such as good clean shoes, dark colours rather than light, a decent haircut and minimal jewellery really DO work to your advantage!

GIVE A FIRM HANDSHAKE

There's actually no connection whatsoever between handshake-type and personality-type - except in the mind of an interviewer. Limp, cold, fishy handshakes will NOT score points - nor will a knucklecruncher. So practise a good firm handshake!

DON'T JUST SIT THERE. DO SOMETHING!

As much as you can, ENJOY your interview. Show an interest in the job and the company. Express yourself clearly. Be enthusiastic. Ask relevant questions. You might even use a little humour. But don't go OTT! This is not the time and place to be a comedian or overbearing, aggressive, conceited or "know-it-all"!

GET YOUR BODY LANGUAGE RIGHT

What we say with our bodies is extremely powerful. So make sure you give out the right signals:

A high smile rate

Nodding your head when the interviewer is speaking

Leaning slightly forward when listening and replying

A high level of eye contact

BE PREPARED

In essence, all interviewers are looking for the answers to 3 basic questions. In fact, every single question they ask will relate to one of these general areas:

1 CAN you do the job?

2 WILL you do the job?

3 Will you FIT in?

Can you do the job?

This question takes up about 60% of the interview and is designed to find out about your experience, track record and achievements.

You'll be asked questions such as:

"What was X company like?" - Talk about the opportunities the company gave you, the projects you worked on etc.

"What sort of person do you like to work for?" Talk about your previous bosses and what they allowed/encouraged you to do in work terms.

"What direction do you see your career taking?" Talk about your experience and skills and how you would like to develop them.

Will you do the job?

This question concerns your character and work philosophy. Are you hardworking, motivated, committed, loyal and so on. This is a mega-opportunity to convince a potential employer that you will do more than just fulfil your contract.

(BEFORE YOUR INTERVIEW YOU NEED TO DECIDE WHICH ASPECTS OF YOUR WORK ILLUSTRATE THAT YOU ARE COMMITTED, MOTIVATED ETC)

You'll be asked questions such as:

"What was it like working for X Company?" Talk about how interesting it was, your flexibility, how you worked within changing parameters and, where necessary, worked late and during weekends.

Alternatively, you could talk about the product, company rules, management style.

Will you fit in?

This key question will help decide whether the interviewer feels you will fit into the existing team/organisation.

1 For a maximum score in this area, make sure you swot up on the company's. The Company's Annual Report literature or web site will give you it's focus and policies. Click here for details of Hunter Campbell's clients.

2 Don't use wishy-washy language, such as I "hope", "feel", "think", "believe" I could do a good job. Talk in absolutes. "I could do a good job because.......

3 Nine times out of ten, you will be asked about your strengths. Make sure you have an answer prepared that relates to qualities you will need to do the particular job you're being interviewed for. "Well organised", "Good with people" "Good with computers" "Good with figures", "Know a lot about the industry" and so on, are good standard answers to this standard question.

4 If you have been asked about your strengths, you're sure to be asked about your weaknesses. Nobody is perfect. You can't say you don't have any, so choose those that may be taken to be virtuous.

Eg. "I get carried away and engrossed in my work" or "I've been told I take work too seriously" or "I am a bit of a perfectionist".

WALK YOUR TALK

Good interviewers will use Behavioural Interviewing Techniques and will ask you to demonstrate key factors of your CV. Expect questions like "It says on your CV that....can you give me an example?

(PREPARE IN ADVANCE BY FOCUSSING ON AREAS IN YOUR PAST JOBS WHERE YOU DEMONSTRATED SPECIFIC SKILLS OR QUALITIES)

Sell the sizzle, not the sausage
It may sound harsh, but employers are really only interested in what you can do for THEM, rather than what skills and abilities you have as an individual. Present yourself as a benefits package, relating your skills and abilities to the way they benefit companies that employ you.

DON'T FALL AT THE FINISH

Most people remember the first and last thing about their meeting with a stranger, so a strong finish is as important as a good first impression.

Interviewers usually end by asking "Have you any questions for Us?" Most people respond by saying "No. I think you've covered everything, but I'm sure I'll think of something as soon as I've left"

THIS IS NOT AN IMPRESSIVE ENDING.

Better to end by thanking the interviewer for his/her time and stressing how interested you are in the job.

You also need to know what happens next. Further interviews? Tests?

Most interviewers will provide this information, but if not, ASK. This will not only show that you are highly motivated, but also well-organised!

One more thing, don't relax too soon. The "ordeal" may be over, but there's still time to make silly mistakes like trying to leave the room by a broom cupboard, sending the interviewer's prize family photo flying off the desk with your elbow, or missing a very obvious step as you leave the premises!

CREATE AN ACTION REPLAY

Immediately after your interview, go over your answers in your mind. There is always something you left out that you feel would have been relevant.

THREE WORKING DAYS after the interview, write to the interviewer and:

thank him/her for seeing you

emphasise your continued interest

offer any additional information that may help him/her make a decision

This letter works at three levels:

1 It provides additional information about yourself 2 It reminds the interviewer about you 3 It shows motivation, commitment and loyalty.

GOOD LUCK!

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