HAVING the most impressive CV and cover letter is goodenough to land you an interview. But the job will only be yours if you performwell during the interview. Most people mess things up in the interview. Eventhe most seasoned professionals can get flustered and spoil their chances bysmall mistakes they could have avoided. If you have been worried about notgetting call backs after your interviews, you might be doing a couple of thingswrong. One of the most important things you can do is to relax and be yourselfin a job interview. Zethu Mthimkulu, who is a media buyer at IQ Academy, has alist of tips for attending an interview.
DO'S AND DON'TS
¦ Doyour research on the position and company.
¦Dress the part.
¦Prepare samples of your work.
¦Speak about your remarkable skills, for example, mention that you wish to be ateacher or used to babysit as a teenager.
¦ Make eye contact with theinterviewer.
¦ Begenuine.
¦ Don't criticise any previous employer, co-worker or supervisor.
¦ Don't make any false statements that could be discovered by youremployer in the future.
¦ Don't share any weaknesses which are central to your target job.
¦ Beclear and only state the qualifications you have.
¦Never act like a know-it-all.
IMPORTANCE OF DRESSING APPROPRIATELY
Interviews are definitely not a fashion show but you have tomind the way you appear or your dress code. Zethu says it is very important todress appropriately for interviews. Interviews are not for the fashion police.Keep in mind why you are going there and think about your appearance. Youshould know that you will be the brand of the company so wearing clothes thatare too tight or too revealing might cost you a job. "You need to look the partand make sure your outfit fits into the work environment you are beinginterviewed for. Remember, first impressions last," says Zethu.
STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD
In interviews you could be up against scores of othercandidates hoping for the same position. All of us want to stand out fromothers, so having enough information about the company is crucial. At theinterview, you must maintain eye contact. Zethu says eye contact can indicateyour level of confidence. It will also show the interviewer that you are payingattention. "You must remember that the interviewer is not only listening towhat you are saying, but is also looking at your body language. Your eyecontact can lead the interviewer to either believe what you are saying or doubtyour skills," says Zethu.
HOW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
¦ Tellme about yourself - This question is the most common question that is asked. Itis normally the opening question so you need to be work specific and tell themabout where you are now professionally, what you have learned from your pastwork experiences and then talk about what makes you excited about this specificopportunity.
¦ Whyshould we hire you? - This is another incrediblycommon question and it gives you a great opportunity to sell yourself and makesure you stand out from the crowd. Tell them what you can offer their company.
¦Describe a difficult work situation and what you did to overcome it - You need to have a success story ready. Tell them how youexecuted whichever challenge you came across at your previous workplace. Thiswill show your value to the company. No manager wants someone who cannot solveproblems.
¦ Whydo you want to work for us? - The manager is trying to get at your underlying motivationsfor wanting this job. State whether you see yourself becoming an integral partof the company and growing with it.
BE PREPARED
If you really want to impress the interviewer, come preparedto the interview otherwise you will go home disappointed. Find a way to masterthe questions that are often asked at interviews. Nothing can beat doingresearch and being confident about yourself. "Do your research on the company,the position you are applying for and analyse the target areas for theposition. Know certain answers to expected questions such as why should we hireyou and your strengths and weaknesses," says Zethu. "Have confidence in yourskills and knowledge. Demonstrate what you know in the best way possible."
