Secrets to interview success

Secrets to interview success

Interviews aren’t easy to cope with. And if you’re fighting for your dream job, the pressure will be immense. Keep in mind the following advice from recruitment experts nad interviewers to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

Serious candidates prepare

You’ve heard it before, but that’s because it really matters. “So many people, especially first-jobbers, make the fatal mistake of not doing their homework before walking into an interview,” warns Phil Sheridan, district director of Robert Half Finance and Accounting. Interviewers expect you to prepare and chances are they’ll know if you don’t. So show them you’re serious about the job:

The first five minutes count

According to research from Office Team, part of Robert Half, it takes most recruiters just ten minutes to make their mind up about a candidate. And a quarter of interviewers make a judgement after just five minutes.

So how do you go about making a good impression in those crucial first few moments?

  • Don’t arrive late
  • Use positive body language
  • Don’t be rude or personal about current or previous employers
  • Don’t be too familiar, it’s important to set a professional tone
  • Switch off your mobile before you step into the room

Curiosity is crucial

“Ask an intelligent question towards the beginning of your interview to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework,” advises Office Team. And when you get to the end, ask a few more. Just spending half an hour on a company’s website can give you a definite advantage. Look for recent press releases, product launches, career biographies and awards which could spark talking points. An interviewer will assume you’re not genuinely interested in their company if you ask nothing about it.

You’re only human – and so is your interviewer

Good employers understand the pitfalls of interviewing and they know you’re only human. Try not to panic if you get lost for words or a question throws you. You may leave the room berating yourself for your mistakes but the interviewer will make allowances and chances are you weren’t as bad as you think.

It’s all in your technique

You can vastly improve your performance with a little care over your technique:

  • When answering interview questions, relate parts of the job description to relevant experience on your CV.
  • Make the most of your research and quote it where appropriate.
  • If you face a panel interview, make sure you talk to everyone rather than directing your answers at one person.
  • Never mention salary unless prompted to do so
  • Always let the interviewer finish speaking before giving your response.