Career experts from Bayt.com have listed twelve key points to bear in mind in order to transform your hard-won job interview to a lucrative offer
1. Practice
The importance of practice and preparation cannot be emphasized enough. Know what to expect, how best to behave in an interview setting, and how to answer the questions in a manner that reflects on you most positively. Be updated on current literature.
2. Have the company, industry, and product line well researched
You are much more likely to impress and convince the employer of your unique suitability for the job if you are intimately familiar with the company, its position in the industry, its product lines, and what may be required for a candidate in your role. It lets you better create your answers, prepare your skills inventory, and formulate your success stories as they directly relate to the company’s requirements.
3. Arrive early
Respect the interviewer’s time. Aim to arrive 15 minutes early and busy yourself with the company or industry literature while you wait. You can also use the time to go over your CV and answers you have prepared so you feel more relaxed and in control during the interview. If disaster strikes and you are running late, make sure to call the interviewer to inform them.
4. Be aware of the importance of first impressions
You will not get a second chance to make a first impression so make sure your first impression conveys a successful, enthusiastic, well-mannered professional who will be an asset to the team. Smile and shake hands firmly when you meet the interviewer and be aware that over 60% of the cues being communicated to the interviewer are non-verbal cues. Watch your body language, gestures, and tone of voice and bear in mind that the manner in which you are conveying information may be as important as what you are saying. Your attire MUST be professional and you must be well-groomed for your interviews.
5. Keep your answers brief and to the point
Answer the questions directed at you in a precise and succinct manner and make sure you do not ramble or get carried away on an irrelevant and inconsequential tangent. Demonstrate clarity of mind and thought process by making your answers simple and to the point—this does not however involve killing the conversation flow with yes/no answers. Aim to keep the conversation going on a pleasant professional respectful tone with answers that illustrate your strengths and experience and keep the interviewer excited to learn more.
6. Bring to bear facts and data from your past experiences to support your answers
Make sure to support all your answers with accurate facts and figures to gain credibility with the interviewer and show you have a keen eye for the bottom line. Be very specific about your skills and describe past success stories that support them in accurate, quantifiable detail.
7. Know your strengths and make sure you communicate them at least once
Be prepared to elaborate on past successes that bear in a direct manner on the present job and show how those experiences are directly relevant to the role, responsibilities and skillset required for the present job. Keep in mind that the employer is looking to minimize his/her risk by hiring a candidate who has excelled in a similar or identical role in the past and can brings these skills to bear on the present job.
8. Do not dwell on weaknesses or personal matters
Avoid talking about personal matters and answer any question on weaknesses with either a brief explanation of what area you would like to further develop your skills in or by reiterating a key strength of yours that you perhaps take too far. For example, if you are applying for a creative role in and advertising agency you can mention that your accounting or investment management skills are not your strongest point and you are much more comfortable in a creative role. Whatever you do, don’t open a can of worms and torpedo your chances of securing the job by dwelling on real weaknesses.
9. Ask questions
Have a list of questions prepared beforehand that are designed to impress the employer and show that you are familiar with current company/industry issues. Do not ask about salary and vacations at the early interview stages.
10. Talk like an insider
If you have researched the company, industry, and product lines thoroughly you will be able to talk like an insider and impress with your insider’s insight on relevant issues. Keep the conversation flow fluid and informative by bringing up facts you have learned about the company and its products and competitors and show how you, armed with your unique skillset and experiences, can positively impact the bottom line.
11. Do not discuss salary too early
Asking about salary too early in an interview will make you appear mercenary. A potential employer will look for enthusiasm for the job itself, not just the salary on offer. Most serious companies will have a formal wage structure so don’t be afraid to ask about it at the appropriate time. Prior research into realistic salary expectations will also help avoid embarrassment.
12. Do not overpromise
Your over confidence will eventually catch you out, with potentially serious consequences, should you actually get the job. Promote your skills enthusiastically but stick to the facts.
