Topic Shorts & Resources

12 WAYS TO ACE THAT JOB INTERVIEW

1 Be prepared: Bone up on the company you want to work for—get hold
of its brochures and annual reports; search the internet. Know its
mission and its management style and any problems it may be
experiencing and how your skills fit their needs. Make sure the
opportunity is a good fit for you. Identify difficult questions the
interviewer will ask—why you left your last job, what you can bring to
this job, what are your long terms goals—and intelligent questions to
ask the interviewer related to your research of the company. And
practise with a friend. Know how to articulate your skills and experience.

2 Be on time or, better still, arrive 10 minutes early. Do a trial run at the same time the day before to make sure of the address, assess the traffic
flow, ascertain the best route and find convenient parking.

3 Be appropriately and stylishly yet comfortably dressed—dressing up shows respect for the interviewer and your level of sophistication to match
the job. Be well-groomed, with neat hair, trimmed fingernails, polished shoes, conservative jewellery, and don’t wear perfume. Too many people
suffer from allergies. First impressions are lasting. Don’t smoke, chew gum or suck candy. Don’t fidget or fiddle with your hair or clothes. Turn off
your cellphone or other electronic devices before you enter the receptionist’s office. Such interruptions tell the interviewers where they lie on your
scale of importance.

4 Be well mannered and polite to all the staff, junior or senior. Shake hands firmly and thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.
Exchange business cards.

5 Be confident and calm; talk quietly and with assurance; know what your objectives are and how you will fit the company’s needs. Don’t give the
impression you’re shopping around.

6 Be professional, at ease but not familiar. Don’t use first names unless invited to, but introduce yourself using yours. Address the interviewer by
name, correctly pronounced, using his or her academic or courtesy title, and know his or her job title and role in the company. Speak clearly and
don’t sit down until invited to. Follow the interviewer’s small talk, which will always precede the business part.

7 Be enthusiastic. Ask informed questions about the company, its way forward, culture and people and, without gushing, let them know you would
consider it a privilege to work in that environment.

8 Be aware of body language. Avoiding eye contact is as bad as staring the interviewer down. Sit still, and not on the edge of your seat. Don’t
riffle through papers such as your resume, which could indicate a lack of confidence. Smile, but don’t tell jokes, no matter how nervous you are.

9 Be a good listener, wait for the questions to be formulated and answer promptly, clearly and concisely after making sure you understand what
is being asked. Take a minute to think rather than launch into the wrong answer. Avoid monosyllabic answers where you can, and use proper
English, not slang.

10 Be honest about your strengths. Never lie, but be selective about your limitations, acknowledging them if necessary as not as strong as other
specific skills.

11 Be resistant to talking about money, benefits or vacations, but if the subject is raised, quote your last salary, suggest a salary range if you
have to and make it known that you are open to negotiation. After all, there may be huge opportunities for advancement within the company.

12 Be positive—about yourself, your quest to grow, your high standards. Don’t be negative about your previous employment even if it wasn’t right
for you. Let it be known that you can do this job. Don’t assume prematurely the job is yours, no matter how good the atmosphere. Stress your
achievements because a job interview is the only time you can promote yourself. After all, no one else will.