How to Conduct Yourself at Interview

You are being interviewed because the interviewer wants to fill a vacancy. However, it is important to remember that you are being assessed throughout the entire interaction that takes place, not just the answers you give.

Below are some tips not only on how to impress but also, importantly, what to avoid
during the process.

Do:
- Arrive a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
- Dress to impress! Offer a firm handshake with direct eye contact.
- Fill out any forms you’re presented with neatly and completely.
- Use the interviewer’s names throughout the interview. You will reinforce the message that you interested in being there!
- Wait until offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright, and look alert and interested at all times. Be a good listener as well as a good talker – smile.
- Look a prospective employer in the eye when conversing with them.
- Follow the interviewer’s leads but try to obtain any additional clarity you require on the details of the position and duties expected early in the interview, so that you can effectively relate your appropriate background and skills.
- Make sure that your strengths are presented to the interviewer in a factual and sincere manner. It’s important to remember that you should sell yourself and make the interviewer aware of the potential benefits that you can offer to the organisation.
- Conduct yourself at all times as if you’re determined to get the job you’re discussing, even if you’re unsure if it’s really for you. One purpose of the interview is for you to find out more and make that decision with better information. Never close the door on an opportunity. It’s better to be in the position where you can choose from a number of jobs, rather than only one.

Don’t
- Don’t answer questions with a simple yes or no. Explain whenever possible and describe those things about yourself which relate to the position.
- Don’t lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and to the point at all times.
- Don’t make derogatory remarks about your present or former employees.
- Don’t ramble or over answer questions. Be careful with questions that can be controversial, trying not to say more than is necessary.
- Don’t enquire about salary, holidays or bonuses at the initial interview, unless you are certain the interviewer is interested in hiring you. However, you should be aware of your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range.

Other Negative Factors to Watch for!
During the course of an interview, your negative factors, in addition to your positive attributes, will be evaluated. Listed below are those that are most likely to lead to rejection.
• Poor personal appearance or hygiene.
• An overbearing, aggressive or conceited attitude.
• Inability to clearly express thoughts, poor grammar and diction.
• Inability to listen and answer the question asked.
• Lack of planning for career.
• Lack of interest and enthusiasm.
• Lack of confidence.
• Over-emphasis on money.
• Making excuses for unfavourable factors in your record.
• Lack of tact, maturity and courtesy.
• Failure to look the interviewer in the eye.
• Limp handshake.
• Failure to ask good questions about the job and company.
• Overall lack of preparation.

How to Prepare a WINNING CV

Your CV is usually the first opportunity a prospective employer will have to form an impression of you, yet it's amazing how many people get this horribly wrong!! Here are some tips on how to get it right and have your CV working effectively for you...

Remember, your CV is a sales tool and you must be sure that your CV will reflect your skills, experience and competency appropriately and do enough to ensure that you get shortlisted for interview. When preparing your CV, following these guidelines will undoubtedly ensure you get the most from your CV every time you submit it for consideration.

1. Tailor your CV to the position you are applying for
Preparing a CV is not a one-off exercise. Remember your CV is a tool designed to help get you an interview when you apply for a particular position. Rarely are two positions exactly the same so it is necessary to tailor your CV each time ensuring that it reflects most positively the experience or skills you have that is relevant in that instance. To achieve this you will need to have a good understanding of what the employer is looking for of course!

2. Accuracy
Always check your spelling and grammar. Regardless of the type of job you are applying for it will reflect badly on you if the employer finds errors that could otherwise be easily avoided. If grammar or spelling isn’t your strong point, get a friend or relative you trust to review your CV for you. Proof reading is a must!

3. Keep it short (and single-sided)
No matter how experienced you are, your CV should be no more than 3 pages long. Don’t try to cheat by applying double-sided printing when sending by hard copy. It is the quality of the information you provide that counts, not the quantity!

4. Formatting is important
Don’t over-format your CV- avoid excessive use of italics/highlighting etc. Some use of bold to highlight certain skills can be beneficial but not if your entire CV is filled with features. Use bullet points to avoid large chunks of text which can be difficult to read.

5. Word documents work best
A MS Word document is the preferred CV choice of employers. Avoid using obscure programmes or specialist programmes that are not commonly used by administrators when preparing your CV as the employer may not even be able to open it. Also, many companies and recruiters store your data electronically and later search for specific skills using word recognition software which will always be compatible with a common programme like Word.

6. Contact & personal data
Ensure all personal and contact information is kept up to date; it does not reflect well if you have to admit later in the process that you did not check (or could not be bothered) to update your details.

7. Include a leading paragraph/personal statement at the beginning
A well worded summary creates an initial impact. Avoid flowery language which will put the reader off. Make it a positive but succinct paragraph focusing on your key skills and competencies only.

8. Put information in reverse chronological order
Put information in reverse chronological order Always start with your most recent role and work back. What you did 10 years ago is usually less relevant than what you are doing now.

9. Keep education details to the point
Few employers are interested in the fine details underpinning your qualifications. Institutions, dates, qualifications achieved and grades are sufficient.

10. Be clear about experience and skills
When describing current or previous roles, keep your description interesting and concise, relating systems and technologies you have used to the relevant role or project. Explain clearly your own roles and responsibilities and outline any achievements. Use I‚ and not we.

11. Explain career gaps or breaks and check timelines
Do not leave obvious gaps without explanation; unless it is relevant to the role there is no need to delve into great detail. Ensure the dates are accurate and make sense in the bigger picture of your CV.

12. Don’t lie
Fudging dates or hiding jobs will make things worse as it will come to light. Doing so can turn something innocent into a question mark against your character. Unlike on The Apprentice most employers do not hire proven liars.

13. Interests and other skills
Do not use this section of your CV as a big opportunity to apply your personality. Stay to the point about your interests out of work and make sure they reflect the type of character a prospective employer may want to employ. Avoid trying to inject humour – it just doesn’t work!

14. References
Either detail two prospective references with contact details or insert a statement that references are available on request. Make sure that references are work related and correlate with your career history i.e. going back four jobs for a referee and missing the 3 most recent employers raises a red flag to employers.

Summary
Applying for jobs is usually something people take seriously so invest the time and do it right. If you cannot find the time to spend preparing your CV properly you should ask yourself why you are in the job market at all!