- Turn up on time – make sure you know where the interview is held. Even drive to the location a day before the scheduled time just to make sure you know where you are going.
- Dress accordingly – really depends on the job and the company. Some prefer all candidates to ‘suit up’ while others prefer more casual attire. Make sure you find out beforehand.
- Practice good nonverbal communication – we say a lot without opening our mouths. Give a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, sit up and don’t slouch and look interested an engaged.
- Listen – From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you info either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said.
- Read the job description – the most basic of preparation techniques but it can be overlooked. Match your skills to the requirements and come up with real-life examples to back up your answers. Use bullet points as guidelines and don’t write out your answers as they will sound rehearsed otherwise.
- Prepare questions to ask – Asking questions demonstrates an interest in the company. It also gives you an opportunity to find out if this is the right role for you.
- Research the company beforehand – It lets the potential employer know that you are serious about considering joining them and that you are not just looking for any opportunity.
- Check out the interviewer’s profile on LinkedIn. This sends them a notification and if you do this a few days before your interview this sends a positive message to the interviewer that you are getting prepared for your interview. You may also find a common interest to discuss for e.g. sports or schools attended
- Don’t appear desperate – Remember the 3 C’s of interview preparation: cool, calm and confidence. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.
- DO NOT speak badly about your current company – Even if you are very unhappy, always look at the positives from your current job.
