The Interview(s)

Achieve excellence in your interview

For a start, always arrive at least 15 minutes early and check in. And always review everything you've prepared, especially your CV! Do not chew or eat at this point, and if offered anything to drink/eat, decline this offer, you do not want any distractions around you. Don't forget to check if anyone is scheduled to interview before you, as if not or if someone cancelled, be prepared for an early start!

When your interview is due; make immediate eye contact with a friendly smile with everyone you see, as any one of them could be your interviewer. Once you have been introduced, you will begin walking with the interviewer to your interview room, this usually will contain a long, awkward silence. Don't just remain silent; use a formal 'ice-breaker' such as; "I appreciate the opportunity to meet with you today." Wait for a response, then prompt with a well-selected bragging point about the interviewer's company, showing you've done your research. A bragging point is something the employees of the company would be particularly proud to note.

The interviewer(s) has four main processes to carry out in the interview process. Detail varies however; sometimes there will be many interviews doing each process one step at a time, and sometimes it will be quite brief with fewer or even just one interview! Here are these processes and their purpose;

1. Marketing - getting the company name out there
2. Screening - initial review of a candidate's qualifications against the companies basic criteria
3. Assessing - reviewing a candidate's behaviors against their critical behavior profile
4. Selling - encouraging chosen candidates to choose their company over the competition

In terms of competition, communication is the key. A candidate with much higher grades/qualifications than you has less chance of getting a job if they don't communicate well. Practice your communication skills!

Always take with you; a folder containing; two copies of your CV, copies of your top three letters of recommendation (if you have any), any information you have gathered on the company, and other information you might want to use.

Leaving the interviewer with a good final impression

Want to leave an excellent final impression? Write out a "Thank You" note immediately after the interview and hand-deliver it before the interviewer leaves at the end of the day. Decisions for company-site callbacks are usually made by the end of that day, so strike while it still matters. Simply repeat this process for follow up interviews.

Generate a job offer on your final interview

A good way to generate a job offer on your final interview is very bold and simple; Ask!

E.G; "I feel my background and experience are a good fit for this position and I am very interested. I am ready to consider your best offer!" Or even bolder, yet just as effective: "I would very much like to work here. May I have the job?"

The only perquisites for this technique are:

1. You have already sold them on you as a candidate
2. They have already sold you on working for them (and shows in your passion and enthusiasm for the job)
3. You are talking to the person who makes the hiring decision

If you are not sure who makes the hiring decision; simply ask!

Next

• Questions to ask the Interviewer
  How to impress the interviewer with your own questions

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