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Tip (1) Do your research. Get ahead of the competition by doing your homework. I've lost count of the times when I've asked someone what they knew about our company and couldn't answer. You're on the way out the door if you don't know who you are dealing with. You really have no place being in that chair if you don't know the answer to this question. Preparation is everything. Miss this one out and forget it.
Tip (2) Get there on time. If you're late, you won't get the job. Of course there are exceptions that make the rule but 99% of the time you'll be finished. I consider it to be a personal insult if someone wastes my time by not being on time. Be on time or don't turn up at all.
Tip (3) Conservative dress is best. Suit and tie for men, smart business attire for ladies. If you are too smart, it won't matter- you can always dress down later. Underdressed? Watch out- some people are still very conservative in their expectations- if you want to run the risk of offending someone's traditional dress sense, go ahead. My advice, don't! If you've made the effort to get a smart attire, complete the job by making sure it's clean and pressed. Pay attention to shoes, even the back. I know someone who always lets candidates walk upstairs in front of them to make sure the back of their shoes are clean. Picky? Oh Yes but they pay the best in their industry and this is one quirk that you would do well to understand.
Tip (4) Clean everything does no harm. If you're turning up by car, wash it, inside and out. I have known people being asked for a lift just to see the inside of their car. Don't believe me? Ask around- it's more common than you might think. While you're at it, press all the clothes that you will be wearing. Clean nails, well polished if you wear nail vanish, subtle jewelry all help.
Tip (5) Find out about who you are meeting. Telephone ahead a couple of days earlier and ask some questions. Explain that you will be attending an interview and you want to be prepared properly. This is such a powerful tactic that I am amazed that more people don't use it. Word soon gets round most places- this is one area where you want it known that you are different.
Tip (6) You never know who you are meeting. A couple of years ago I walked into a restaurant looking for the owner to be confronted with someone in overalls, painting the entry hall. I asked for the owner and was shown through to wait in the restaurant. The owner arrived after a couple of minutes and in the meantime, I chatted with the painter. You guessed it, the painter was the owner's son, helping out his dad. Of course I wasn't rude, we had a nice chat and I walked out with a sale. Who knows what would have happened if I'd sworn, cussed or made inappropriate jokes.
Tip (7) Sit still and pay attention Once inside the interview room, wait until you are asked to sit down- it shows manners and a healthy respect for authority. Once seated, pay attention to what is being asked of you- sit still and upright in your chair, lean slightly forward towards the interviewer and show you are interested
Tip (8) Answer the questions that you are asked. Pay attention to what is being asked of you, answering the questions honestly and positively. Never run down a previous boss- it looks bad on you. If you are asked to explain gaps in your CV, be prepared and be honest. If you have prepared properly and got your CV written professionally, you wont have a problem
Tip (2) Get there on time. If you're late, you won't get the job. Of course there are exceptions that make the rule but 99% of the time you'll be finished. I consider it to be a personal insult if someone wastes my time by not being on time. Be on time or don't turn up at all.
Tip (3) Conservative dress is best. Suit and tie for men, smart business attire for ladies. If you are too smart, it won't matter- you can always dress down later. Underdressed? Watch out- some people are still very conservative in their expectations- if you want to run the risk of offending someone's traditional dress sense, go ahead. My advice, don't! If you've made the effort to get a smart attire, complete the job by making sure it's clean and pressed. Pay attention to shoes, even the back. I know someone who always lets candidates walk upstairs in front of them to make sure the back of their shoes are clean. Picky? Oh Yes but they pay the best in their industry and this is one quirk that you would do well to understand.
Tip (4) Clean everything does no harm. If you're turning up by car, wash it, inside and out. I have known people being asked for a lift just to see the inside of their car. Don't believe me? Ask around- it's more common than you might think. While you're at it, press all the clothes that you will be wearing. Clean nails, well polished if you wear nail vanish, subtle jewelry all help.
Tip (5) Find out about who you are meeting. Telephone ahead a couple of days earlier and ask some questions. Explain that you will be attending an interview and you want to be prepared properly. This is such a powerful tactic that I am amazed that more people don't use it. Word soon gets round most places- this is one area where you want it known that you are different.
Tip (6) You never know who you are meeting. A couple of years ago I walked into a restaurant looking for the owner to be confronted with someone in overalls, painting the entry hall. I asked for the owner and was shown through to wait in the restaurant. The owner arrived after a couple of minutes and in the meantime, I chatted with the painter. You guessed it, the painter was the owner's son, helping out his dad. Of course I wasn't rude, we had a nice chat and I walked out with a sale. Who knows what would have happened if I'd sworn, cussed or made inappropriate jokes.
Tip (7) Sit still and pay attention Once inside the interview room, wait until you are asked to sit down- it shows manners and a healthy respect for authority. Once seated, pay attention to what is being asked of you- sit still and upright in your chair, lean slightly forward towards the interviewer and show you are interested
Tip (8) Answer the questions that you are asked. Pay attention to what is being asked of you, answering the questions honestly and positively. Never run down a previous boss- it looks bad on you. If you are asked to explain gaps in your CV, be prepared and be honest. If you have prepared properly and got your CV written professionally, you wont have a problem
About the Author:
About the author: Glenn Hughes is the international consultant and managing director of CV That Works, a professional cv writing service based in Wales, UK. He is a professional cv writer that prides himself on guaranteeing his customers interviews. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.
1 comment:
Very often, your cover letter will be the first thing that a recruiter looks at when he sits down to do that all-important first sift. It is your first opportunity to leave a lasting and favorable impression and as such it should work every bit as hard as your resume, if not more so, to convince him that you are the best match for the job. Remember, the employer is looking for a really outstanding candidate and if your cover letter is in any way sub-standard or does nothing to tempt him into reading your resume, then he will not waste any further time on your application.
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