Susan Ford (the founder of Susan
Ford Recruitment) has interviewed many thousands of candidates from
graduates/school leavers up to Senior Managers and Directors. To see actual
case studies from past and recently conducted interviews, follow our link to
Case Studies.
The six essential
techniques are Susan's thoughts on what encourages her to put forward
applicants for an interview. Consideration to the application of these
techniques should be followed whatever level of entry you are being interviewed
for.
These techniques will be of interest to candidates who want to
improve their interview style when attending interviews. Good Luck!
Know where the interview is - how long it takes to get there and plan
your route - then 'have a dry run'. When you then attend the interview, tell
the interviewer that you did a dry run. This demonstrates excellent planning
skills.
Always be on time - by on time, I mean specifically 10
minutes early. Any earlier is annoying for the interviewer and it shows a
distinct lack of planning on your part. Interestingly, if you think by being 5
minutes early that this is about right, it isn't! This approach could firstly
leave you with no room at all if you are held up in anyway and secondly I
always find candidates who think this is sufficient time are rushed and
unprepared.
Always find out about the Company interviewing
you - this shows a tremendous amount of respect for the Company and
indicates planning/preparation.
If you do not have an opportunity to
demonstrate your fact find on the Company, make sure you tell the interviewer
in some way.
Particularly impressive is to have looked at a Company's
website. Usually Companies are very proud of their 'website' so they are
flattered by the attention, but it also indicates a high level of PC literacy.
CARE - if you do bother to find out about the Company then do it properly,
understand what you read/observe - do not make it a token gesture - this will
make you look pretentious and ignorant.
Look the part - make sure you are
smartly and professionally dressed. No matter what the job is, it can only
benefit you by having a professional appearance.
It is important not to
wear too much aftershave/perfume - this can overwhelm the interview room very
quickly. Always take care with your hair - be well groomed. Make sure your
nails look cared for - many interviewers make the assumption that if a
candidate cares for their nails, then they truly care about their appearance.
This is also the case with shoes!
Listening Skills
- it is very important that you use listening skills to as this shows manners,
interest and enthusiasm.
Listening skills include nodding, asking
questions related to what has just been said, leaning forward and eye contact.
Like the person who is interviewing you - even if you do not
particularly take to the person interviewing make yourself believe that
you like them!
Everyone fundamentally wants to be liked, even
interviewers, and it is very easy to pick up that someone likes as well as
dislikes you. The interviewer will naturally, but sub-consciously, incline
towards the candidate that likes them.
In the section entitled "Latest
Interview - Successes and Failures", I will give you a brief commentary on the
most recent interviews I have conducted and why they have been a success or why
the candidates have failed.
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