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Preparing yourself
First impression does count - before you even say a word, the employer has formed an opinion, SO BE PREPARED.Professional interviewers have been taught and practised not to judge only on the base of the first impression. You never know whether you are going to meet an interviewer or manager.
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Physical preparation
- Get a good rest the night before.
- If you buy new clothes for your interview, try them out, not just on. It is important that you sit comfortably, shoes do not pinch etc. You surely don?t want any, even inessential discomforts and/or embarrassments distracting you or the interviewer during the interview.
- Practise interviewing with your friends ? not so much on the content, but on the overall context. Practising will help you recognise and avoid bad manners (nervous habits like head scratching, playing with the ring, or not maintaining eye contact), speech patterns (ups, ums). Do you preface statements with a disclaimer: ?Well this is only my opinion, but?? one practice is not enough to be well prepared for a real interview. Carry out at least three practices. This will help you correct your mistakes, strengthen weaknesses and build up strengths.
- Dress appropriately.
The following ideas should always be taken into consideration
- Look clean and neat. Make sure that your hair is done appropriately. Women - do not wear wild hairdos. Men - get a trim of head and facial hair.
- Do not exaggerate with wearing of perfume or cologne.
- Cover any tattoos and avoid gaudy jewellery. Limit pierced jewellery to ears only.
Men
- Wear a suit or jacket with colour coordinated trousers
- The color should be neutral or dark - blue, black or gray are the best
- Wear a tie.
- Shoes should be clean and polished - black is the best.
- Make sure your nails are trimmed and clean.
Women
- Wear a classic suit or a simple dress with a jacket. Appropriate colors are dark blue, black, dark green, dark red or gray.
- Dress in style that the position calls for but do not attempt to outclass everyone there.
- Do no wear clothes that are too tight or too trendy.
But remember ? don?t exaggerate by trying to look business-like. Better be yourself in order to avoid feeling uncomfortable.
Preparation of information
Take into consideration that before each interview there is certain amount of information to be prepared you so as to answer adequately to the questions.
Information about yourself
- Be sure and convinced of your own interests and career goals.
- Be prepared to explain what motivates you for getting the job.
- Think about why the job could be good for you.
- Prepare questions for interviewer.
- Think what are your skills, strengths, abilities and personality traits that qualify you for offered position.
- Be sure you remember the context of your CV and be able to give specific examples that fortify the information listed.
Information about organisation and potential position
- Find out what are potential employer?s requirements for the position.
- Be sure that you know the correct denomination of the vacancy.
- Try to find out more about company (financial sources, annual reports, media news; information about the company, their culture and current events). If possible, visit the company, their stores or offices and find out more about the culture and dress code there.
- Check out the industry.
- Think about types of individuals that turn to be successful in that kind of job.
- Make sure you know what skills, training, or education background are required for this position.
- Try to find out the typical salary range for this position.