So, you have just got an interview for your dream job and you want to do everything you can to make sure you are the chosen one!
An interview is the chance to give the best impression of yourself and convince the company you’re the right person for the job.
If you want to ace that interview, here are a few things you most definitely should NOT do!
- Turn up late
It’s quite amazing at the amount of candidates that burst through the door hot, flustered and late! Now this will not give you the best first impression to your hopefully new employer. If you are late and the interviews are scheduled back to back, you may even miss your chance altogether. Make sure you set an alarm giving you enough time for travel and spare time before the interview as you never know what may happen on the way!
- Dressing Inappropriately
Its pretty tough knowing what to wear. You don’t want to rock up all suited and booted if the company is casual and the majority of people are in jeans… or vise versa! Best advice would be, find out what the dress code is, and if there isn’t one, go for smart and professional.
- Failing to prepare
As a recruiter, I want to see that you have done your homework! It is always best to show that you have taken an interest to find out what the company exactly does and where it plans to be! Checking through their website and getting up to speed in the industry they operate in.
- Lie
Lets not lie here… we all like to big ourselves up in interviews. But what we need to make sure of is that we don’t stray away from the truth. If you claim yourself to be an IT genius you’ll soon be found out when you are asked a technical question or to prove your amazing high quality IT skills which you claim to posses. Just be honest about your abilities and be ready with real examples of your work.
- Body language
Right so you have a couple of interviews on the go and the interview you are currently sat in isn’t one of your top choices and the interview is asking some pretty awful, dull questions, but whatever you do, don’t let your body language show you aren’t interested. Don’t look longingly out the window, bit our nails, fidget, slouch or fiddle with anything. Make sure you stay on the ball and maintain eye contact so that you come across interested and professional.
George Bowles
