Prepare Your Offensive:
Hey going into an interview is no different to going into battle
and the end result is to come out the winner! The better your
offensive is the more chance you have at winning the interviewer
over. Your objective is to win. How are you going to do this?
Well you need to know where you are going and how you are going
to get there. You need to know what traps or pitfalls there are
along the way so the best practice is to plan and be prepared.
Simple isn’t it – so what have you got to do? Well you have got
to win over the interviewer and the only way of doing this is by
convincing him, or her, that you are the man, or woman, for the
job. You are going to do this by showing the interviewer that
you know about their organisation, know about the job, know how
to do the job and would be the best person for the role. The
only way you are going to do this is by preparation so you can
present yourself as cool, calm, collected but not too cocky! If
you have ever played a new computer game or purchased a new item
of equipment you know that your job is going to be much easier
if you get the instructions our first to work out how to operate
the thing than to go rushing in all guns firing without doing
any research.
Do
Some Research About The Employer:
Now I am no easy employer to work for, I have allocated time to
you to attend my interview and by doing so I have had to spend
some time reading through your CV and particulars. So in return
I think as I have invited you to attend an interview the least I
expect is for you to have taken the time to do a bit of research
about my company and what we do. Not every employer takes this
stance but many do. If you do a little research this will show
the interviewer or employer that you have at least put some
effort into trying to get this job. Besides which, are you
really looking to apply to work for a company you know nothing
about, if so you can’t really be that serious about the
interview. It’s really simple to do research on a company by
getting hold of the companies sales brochures, report and
accounts (not so easy if it is only a small employer), looking
at the companies web site, or by researching local news items by
visiting the local library and searching the newspaper archives
outlining press releases – it’s easy to do just visit your local
library and explain what your after and I am sure they will help
you out. Remember you get out of life what you put in – invest
time and effort and your efforts will be rewarded. If you want a
copy of the report and accounts the easiest thing to do is ring
up the receptionist and ask for a copy, you could say something
like “I’ve got an interview with your company and I would like
to find out a bit more about the firm so could you send me some
information” hey, most secretaries are helpful if they think you
are a potential “newbee” and in any case they usually have some
info just lying around.
Be
Prepared For The Interview:
There are several areas that you must be ensure you have covered
when preparing for the interview, the first fundamental one
being not to be late for the meeting!. A few days before the big
day plan your route, if you are going by car have a trial run
and see how long it takes you to get there, the same goes for if
you are going by bus or train. When you have determined how long
it is likely to take you add half an hour to the journey. If
you’re early so what? You can always have a drink or read your
magazine but one thing is for sure you will be calm and ready
whereas if you are running late you will be on edge – not a good
start to an interview. Take a phone with you (or money to use a
phone box) just in case something happens. It is very
discourteous to be late and it really annoys some people so you
aren’t going to get off to a good start on that basis. Just as a
pointer it’s always a good idea to take a pen and paper with you
or alternatively a briefcase or handbag with a pen and paper in
it.
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