Interviews
and CVs
GET THAT JOB!!!
PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW
After sending out many applications,
you have an interview to go for. This is your only chance to
make a good impression.
Find out the Location for the interview
and how long it will take you to get there. Research the company, find out
what they do, how many offices they have, who there competitors
are. (The places you
can find out information, is from; the Internet, Libraries, the company itself
(ask the receptionist to send you an annual report))
Prepare your Clothes the night before, make sure what you intend to wear
is clean and tidy, your shoes are polished and your tights not laddered.
That
your outfit
looks business like, e.g. shirt & tie, hair is neat, not too many ear-rings
or too many rings on your fingers. (You need to look as though you have made
an effort)
Prepare relevant questions about the company and the job on offer.
e.g. If you went for a position for a Filing Clerk you could ask the following
questions:
Would I be working in a team? Would I be responsible for computerised filing,
manual filing or both? Is there a uniform or dress code? How many other
offices do you have ? How many people work in your company ? Prepare
answers for
expected questions. "What are your strengths and weaknesses" ? "What
is your greatest achievement this year"? "What skills/experience
can you bring to this job/company" ? "Where can you see yourself
in 5 years"?
Keep your answers on the subject and do not divert off onto something irrelevant.
TIPS
Do not smoke or drink before or during the interview. Sell
Yourself, what you have achieved in your past positions, (be
armed with
facts and figures
to back
your achievements up). Project a confident positive attitude. Do not
raise any negative points. Get there 5 minutes early !!
THE
INTERVIEW
During the interview eye contact should always be maintained.
Listen to the interviewer about what they say with regards
to the company and
the
job description.
At the
end of the interview you will be asked if you have any questions.
One or two questions are better than none at all.
DO NOT ASK THE
FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
What is the salary? What are the hours of
work? When are the holidays? If you ask the above questions the
interviewer will
think that you
are not bothered
about the position you are applying for and that you are only
bothered about the salary, hours and holidays. When the interview
is drawing
to a close
the
interviewer will ask you "if you have any further questions
to ask" If
you are interested in the job you should say - "From what
you have told me today, I feel as though I am capable of doing
the job, I am very interested
in the position on offer and I am available to work from……….…..date"
THE OFFER
Always accept the offer if made during an interview, "the
ball is then in your court" after sleeping on the decision
you can then accept or reject the job. The next day you will
be in a stronger position to negotiate on points,
such as Salary, Holidays or Vehicle. Always ensure you have the
offer in writing from the company before handing in your notice.
Once you have the offer, reply
immediately giving your commencement date.
