Acing Your Interview: 5 Top Tips - Matthew Draycott

Acing Your Interview: 5 Top Tips

Hi Guys

Over the years I?ve employed a lot of people across a range of different companies and in doing so seen allsorts of candidates; how they?ve approached the situation and how the panel has reacted. This experience means that I understand what people are looking for when they interview candidates and I know that this has helped me when I?ve been the one in the hot seat!

So that?s what I?m going to share in this blog? 5 tips that I think will really improve your interview technique.

1. Research

One of my first questions in an interview is always ?what do you know about our company?? If it?s obvious here that you haven?t bothered to do any research or learn about us I?m out right at the start, in fact I?m just waiting to get rid of you! Sounds tough? Put yourself in my shoes? I?m looking for people with passion, who are going to help me develop our business, if you can?t be bothered to do some research what does that say about your interest in the job?

Research is the driving force behind good interview technique? it will help you feel calm because you?ll understand the company, it also means that you can contextualise answers to the interviewers situation (very impressive when this happens) but most of all it shows us that your interested in the role and motivated to understand it and what we might be looking for.

Things you might want to research: The company, the role, key stakeholders, competitors, collaborators, best practice examples and the people interviewing you? seriously!

Oh? one last thing, Google is not the only research tool, try talking to some people: users, customers, suppliers etc. Be honest with them about why your getting in touch and you?d be surprise what people will share.

2. Practice

Every job interview is different? but there are always common interview questions or ones that you should anticipate if you?ve done some RESEARCH! Prepare answers to these and test them with a critical friend who has some experience of interviewing people? not a parent, relative or friend, as they won?t be as tough in their feedback as they might need to be.

Your answer should always include contextually relevant examples from your own experience or ones that are relevant to the employer based on your research, this a sure fire way to impress!

So if I ask ?how do you like be managed?? don?t tell me that you like freedom but need goals? give me an example of a really great boss you?ve had, tell me how their style benefited you and what impact that had on the business through your improved performance.

3. Dress

I?m a slob at work? I take smart casual to the absolute limit! But when I interview people its suit, shirt and tie all the way. I want people to know that I?ve taken the time to prepare for this interview, not just by reading their documents and making notes but by dressing the part as well and I expect the same from candidates.

The simple fact is that minute you walk in and shake my hand I?m assessing you, reading your body language to look for clues and considering how others in the team would react to you. How you choose to dress is key part of this, it sounds simple but I can read a lot about a person from the clothes they choose for interview.

Some basic advice: Make sure your shoes are polished, your clothes fit correctly and that your accessories are subtle, try it all on a few days before and again get some critical feedback if your concerned.

4. Relax

There?s no easy way to say this? while I will do my level best to put you at ease if I?m interviewing you (I don?t want you to fall apart), I can be a bit scary and intense and I?m not the only one. Interviews are stressful for everyone involved so It?s really important that you stay calm and relaxed throughout, projecting this kind of image will help you immensely.

The key staying relaxed is more preparation? plan your route to their interview and make sure you?re their early allowing plenty of time for problems along the way. Make sure to eat well, but focus on nutrition / brainpower and finally prepare everything important the night before so that there is no last minute running around.

When you?re in the interview speak clearly, smile and remember that we (the interviewers) are just normal people who want you to be the awesome candidate we are looking for!

One more thing? when you walk in make sure to acknowledge everyone interviewing you ; say hello, shake their hand and do the same at the end, you?d be amazed what a difference a bit of common courtesy can make.

5. Questions

Finally? I know that everyone says this but if you want the job ASK QUESTIONS! As an interviewer it shows me that you?re really interested in the role? especially if you ask the right questions. It?s really not quantity here, asking me one challenging, tough question can show an awful lot about your character and the way you think ? especially if its getting to heart of the role and given you an opportunity to make a good point.

For you this is going to be your only opportunity to delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company building a detailed picture of the role so that if your offered the position you know what your going to say!

So there they are? helpful? Let me know

Peace

Matt

Source: http://www.mdraycott.com/5-interview-tips/

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