Lets summarise some Top Interview Tips.

The 50/50 rule
Successful interviewees often use this rule. Half the time you should be talking, the other half of the time the interviewer should be talking.

Two way street, remember?

If you talk too much about yourself you give the impression that you might be more concerned about yourself than the needs of the organisation , if you talk too little, have you not got anything to contribute?

20 seconds to two minute rule
Aim to answer a question in between 20 seconds and two minutes. Any longer and you will be waffling. Keep to the point!

Be a job resource
Stay focused on what you can offer the employer rather than on what they can offer you. You are there to show them how you can solve their problems.

Be part of the solution not part of the problem
Every organization has problems it is facing, and is looking for what solutions its employees can come up with to solve those problems.

Will you be part of the problem, or part of the solution?

Will you be a poor timekeeper,or fail to keep to the company agenda?
Be disruptive and take up management time? Leave after a few weeks?
Not be able to do the job?

Or will you contribute to the company’s effectiveness and bottom line?
Be dependable, effective, enthusiastic, motivated, organized, flexible, trainable, goal oriented, have integrity, be a problem solver, be loyal, able to identify opportunities, deliver on time.

Bring in more money than you are paid.
Be an asset in fact.

Your job hunt reflects your work style
If you have not researched thoroughly this will imply your work is not thorough. If you are late or disorganized………….

Don’t criticize your current employer
Even if there is a problem between you and them, say that you normally get on with everyone but you two just didn’t get along. You don’t know exactly why and hope it will never happen again.

Focus on 5 key points
Whether they know it or not, and many don’t, the employer needs to establish 5 key facts about you. They may ask lots of questions; this is what you need to ensure they understand about you.

1. Why are you here? As opposed to at another company trying to get a position there. Do you want to work here or are you just looking for any job?
2. What can you do for us?Will you be problem or solution? What are your skills? And relevant experience?
3. What kind of person are you?Are you easy to work with? Will you fit in here? Do you share our values and aims?
4. What distinguishes you from the hundred or so other people who have the same skills, experiences and abilities you do?Are you nicer, cleverer, more dependable, more willing to be flexible, stay late, travel on business, go the extra mile …
5. Can I afford you?If you fulfill all the above criteria, how much will it take to get you? Is it within our €budget; is this less than people senior to you?

And another 5 key points
You need to establish similar information about the organization.

1. What does this job involve.What tasks will be asked of you, roles, and responsibilities? You are trying to verify the job description, which may have been written by HR, and may not be exactly how the line manager sees things!
2. To be good at this job, what key skills do I need?Do you think your skills are a good match?
3. Are these the kind of people I want to work with every day?Listen to your intuition! Do they share your values, sense of humour? Ask to meet the people you will be working with if it is practical.If we like each other and want to work together.
4. How do I convince them I am the person they need?
   “Experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you.”
   Aldous Huxley
   
   You need to have thought about this in advance. What are your strengths, how can you illustrate them in the interview through anecdotes. (see the behavioral based interviews covered in this lesson). What is your uniquely relevant experience, your USP?

 

Can I persuade them to hire me at the salary I need or want?
Research this in advance and know what you will accept. We will look at salary negotiation in later lessons.

Remember this is your chance to ensure they understand that you are the right person for the job.