These are very basic but important things to take care of while you are going for an job interview.
Do’s
- Dress to impress. Make sure your clothes are clean, ironed and presentable.
- Make eye contact, and begin with a strong handshake. This will signal your confidence when you meet your interviewer for the first time.
- Pay attention to your scent. Women with powerful perfumes and men with intense colognes can destroy interviews. Moderation is recommended.
- Sit still, with your feet firmly on the ground. This will help you maintain your posture and avoid fidgeting.
- Let the interviewer set the pace of the interview. Let him or her lead with the questions.
- Remember your CV details. In particular the experience most relevant to the role you are interviewing for.
- Make a note of your questions. Bring a note-pad if you feel you might forget important points.
- Make sure you get the interview’s name right and use it a few times in the interview
- Let the interviewer decide when the interview is over
- Remember. Its just as important for the interviewer to sell the benefits of working at their business, as it is for you to impress your next potential employer.
Don’ts
- Don’t turn up late to the interview. If for some reason on the day it is unavoidable, call and let your interviewer know that you will be late.
- Don’t sit down until you are asked. Don’t worry about this, the recruiter won’t make you stand-but if you move quickly to your chair and sit down, you will appear forward.
- Don’t dress inappropriately.
- Don’t lean on or put your elbows on the interviewer’s desk. Sit back in your chair, so the interviewer can see more of you.
- Don’t smoke before your interview. Whilst a quick cigarette might seem like a good idea to calm your nerves, the smell will be noticeable and unpleasant for your interviewer.
- Don’t carry an oversized handbag even if it is fashionable. Carry a bag that is smaller and more manageable. Put it on the floor during the interview. Never place it on the interviewer’s desk.
- Don’t keep adjusting your clothes.
- Don’t fiddle with your hair.
- Don’t pick up anything from the recruiter’s desk unless you are invited to do so.
- Don’t volunteer your weaknesses. Whilst honesty is always the best policy, there is no need to volunteer your shortfalls unless asked directly.
- Don’t call the recruiter “sir” or “ma’am” too much. Respect is mandatory, but don’t go overboard.
- Don’t interrupt. It is inexcusable in an interviewing situation.
- Don’t slip into a speech-making or preaching tone of voice.
- Don’t lie about anything. Sometimes candidates lie about their salary. Recruiters often ask for proof,
- Don’t criticise your current or previous employer. Doing so could give your interviewer the impression you are difficult to work with.
- Don’t talk about the salary until later in the hiring process or until the recruiter brings it up.