Interviews: preparing to present yourself

PREPARATION Background informationFind out what you can about the company. With the internet there is no excuse not to have some basic knowledge of the organisation you are seeing such as which markets and countries that they operate in.  Re-read

PREPARATION

Background information
Find out what you can about the company. With the internet there is no excuse not to have some basic knowledge of the organisation you are seeing such as which markets and countries that they operate in.  Re-read your CV, covering lette and application form to reinforce your important strengths.

Be punctual and tidy
Make certain you leave yourself plenty of time to get there. Its better to arrive early and go get a coffee than rush in at the last minute or worse, turn up late. Dress tidily and cleanly and be polite to all.

AT THE INTERVIEW
Try and relax and smile as you arrive, and shake hands firmly. Most interviewers are trying to get the best out of you, so they will help you relax, even if the interview is very formal. Take your cues from the interviewers to the level of formality.

Be honest and factual
Be positive and upbeat about yourself and the jobs you have done. Bring in the skills, qualifications and experience elements that would be useful to the job.  If there are gaps and areas which are less flattering then be prepared with a positive approach to them. Do not try to cover up and always be truthful.

Questions you can prepare for will centre around
More information about the jobs you have done
Why you want this job and what makes you feel qualified for it?
What interests you about their company?
What are your strengths and achievements?
What are your weaknesses?
Have a think before hand about how you will answer these and practice them with another person.

There will also be questions you can’t prepare for such as how would you handle a particular situation. Think briefly before answering and be as clear as you can, they will ask for more from you if they need.

Questions from you

You will often be asked if there are any questions you want to ask. Try and think of something before the interview that you genuinely want to know, and also quickly think back to see if there was anything else that came out of the interview that you would like further explanation of.
The key last question is what happens next  so you know what the follow-on process is and the rough timescales.

Best of luck