Impress at interviews
If you get an interview, you probably have broadly the skills and experience needed.
Now the employer wants to find out:
You can find out:
An interview is your chance to convince the employer that you are the right person for job. Make the most of it! You need to:
Be prepared
Dress for success
Be on time
Act the part
Answer Positively
Ask questions
Be prepared
Make sure you confirm:
Think of answers for common questions.
Take a copy of your CV/form/letter and the ad with you.
Check that you know how to get there - and how long it will take.
Prepare a list of things you'd like to find out.
Dress for success
People will make assumptions about you based on what you look like. The way you look should say:
Dress in a way that suits the industry you want to work in, but dress quite formally.
People in the design industry often wear very informal clothes when
they go to work on an ordinary day. For an interview, though, you should
dress more formally. You don't have to wear a suit, but no shorts, no
jeans etc.
An interview is not the place to show your wild side. There may be exceptions,
but not as many as you think! You might think it's narrow minded, but
a lot of people still prefer employees to look quite conventional:
Be on time
Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early. If you have a long way to travel, arrive even earlier and go and have a coffee somewhere local.
If you are running late, telephone to let the interviewer know asap.
Act the part
Your body language gives off signals. Make sure
they're the right ones.
| What to do | What it says |
| Shake hands firmly (but not too firmly!) | Confident and professional (but not overbearing) |
| Smile | Friendly and positive |
| Look them in the eye (without staring) - if there's more than one interviewer, look at the person who´s talking. | Open and honest |
| Sit still, don´t fidget |
Paying attention |
| Sit upright or lean forward (don't slouch) | Interested |
Answer Positively
You interviewer will ask you a series of questions, some very simple and some more detailed. Questions will be asked:
You should:
Ask questions
At the end of the interview, you will probably be asked if you have any questions.
Asking questions shows that:
What you could ask:
Examples of what you could ask: |
You could ask for more information about the company's products, services or clients. Don't ask questions like:
|
Remember, you need to show the company that YOU are suitable for THEM, not that they suit your needs.
At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for their time.