Jobhop Jobhop's blog : Tips To Get The Job
Your application must have made a good impression, you’ve passed the test and you’re invited to an interview! Here are some tips to also be successful at this stage of getting the job.
Plan ahead
You don’t want to be a brown-noser but researching, making sure you are prepared and spell every name right: Company name and name of the person you are addressing in your email is key.
Find out who you have an interview with, once you know that, you can look them up on social networking sites as they’ll probably be doing same: Looking you up on social-networking sites!
LinkedIn is a great social-networking site for professionals. With LinkedIn you can ask people to recommend you, for example teachers from your university or former employers.
Having all your experiences on LinkedIn in more detail is very useful, it will give a broader view than just the summary that you have on your CV.
Taking a notebook with you with some written questions will help you remember to ask those all important ones when you go blank on interview day.
Plan for the interview but don’t over plan. Wear what is representable, respectful and suitable for the company you are seeing. Let your personality shine through but try to hide any tattoos or piercings if you have any.
Time is of the essence
Give yourself plenty of time to get ready and arrive on time.
Get there early, walk around the block, have a coffee at the local cafe, get a sense of the neighbourhood. Make sure you arrive 10 minutes early so you can give your name to the receptionist and wait for your interviewer. This also gives you a good opportunity to take in what the workplace is like.
First impressions count
A firm handshake shows you are in control and confident. You deserve this interview, they invited you over for it and now you are up for the role. Look people in the eye without staring them down and express how nice it is to meet them.
One of the things I would recommend most is not sitting down unless you are invited or wait until the interviewer sits down.
The interview
You’ve made your first impression. It takes time for people to access you, get to know you.
This is the time where you listen, answer and question.
Do not just answer with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to questions. Try to give some detail in your answer without going off topic. Remember that they have to get to know you and why they should hire you.
Be memorable.
At the end of the interview you’ll be able to ask questions make sure you ask intelligent questions about the position and the company. Good questions make a good all round impression and may determine if you’re suitable for the job.
Feedback
If you don’t get the job you were interviewed for, it doesn’t mean that you are a failure.
It may be hard to listen to but it will help you with your next interview.
Write down every comment and amend your CV/interview skills if necessary.
Guest Blogger Iris Van Zwam
Iris is from origin Dutch, landed in London four years ago, and currently works as Development Manager at gpstudio. She also works as a freelance writer. Writing opinion and features pieces on: Sustainability, art & design, social-media, London and travel
Follow Iris on Twitter @notetoiris.
JOIN Jobhop and spread the word.
In:- Jobs