3 steps to an impressive job interview
Nicole Gorton, director at Robert Half, outlines how you can make a good impression during the interview process.
Most people form their opinions of someone within seconds of meeting them. You only get one chance to impress, and this is especially true when it comes to finding a job. You need to present the best possible version of yourself, so it’s important you make the interview stages count.
Follow these tips below to ensure you make a good impression during the interview process.
Start right
From a recruitment consultant’s perspective, your first chance to make a positive impression is at the phone interview stage. A recruiter or employer is listening out for characteristics to determine whether they want to meet you in person.
From a recruitment consultant’s perspective, your first chance to make a positive impression is at the phone interview stage. A recruiter or employer is listening out for characteristics to determine whether they want to meet you in person.
Here are some important tips to remember when you’re on the phone:
- Be polite: show gratitude for their time and the opportunity to discuss your suitability for the role
- Be professional: choose somewhere quiet and free of distractions
This also applies for other forms of communication including email and phone. A candidate who is polite and professional has a better chance of getting recommended to potential employers by recruiters.
At the interview
If a recruiter is impressed by your skills, experience and manner, they will meet with you in person. At this stage they will assess how well you present. It’s not about looks, rather about confidence and how you carry yourself. Always dress for the position you are applying for – in most cases, this will be corporate attire.
Try these tips at your next interview:
- Dress appropriately
- Shake hands firmly and make eye contact
- Speak clearly and concisely
It goes without saying that you should be prepared to respond to questions in your interview and have an understanding of the role and company you are applying for. If you can’t show any knowledge about the organisation, you’ll be heading out the door as quickly as you came in. Thoroughly prepare for the interview and learn as much as you can about your potential employer, their industry, and their key competitors.
Look at the job description and the personal criteria for the role. It’s likely these will form the basis of most competency-based questions. Prepare answers to practice interview questions with supporting examples from your previous roles, so that you’re not stumped or forced to think fast on the spot.
Make sure you keep your answers articulate and concise. Your research efforts will also enable you to ask intelligent questions at the end of the interview.
These tips could be useful at the end of an interview:
- Be punctual
- Be enthusiastic
- Sincerely demonstrate that you want the job
Interview don’ts
It is poor form to turn up late, especially without a phone call or a warning. If you can’t make it in on time to the interview, what will you be like as an actual employee?
Never underestimate the need for honesty, both in your resume and during the interview. A recruiter will check your references, and if you’re untruthful about the nature of your previous employment, you can be sure that your application won’t go any further.
It’s easy to see how a job interview is the perfect opportunity to cement yourself as the best person for the job – or to sabotage your chances completely. If you ensure the impression you leave is positive one, you can expect positive results.
While SEEK partners with trusted contributors to bring you the latest career advice, the views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
