It pays to be well prepared for an interview as it will give you the best opportunity to show off your qualifications to a potential employer. Here are some great tips to help you prepare for a job interview. Norwest Recruitment or Southwest Recruitment will be able to help you to prepare for interviews.
Be prepared: Try to learn as much as you can about the organisation.
Have in your mind, a specific job you think youd do best at. It could be a temporary position, permanent or a contract role.
Go over your qualifications for the position.
Sit down and prepare a list of possible questions you might be asked, and think up a range of answers to match.
Read over your resume to get in your mind what the interviewer already knows about you.
Get a friend or relative that has experience with job interviews to help you practise.
Try to arrive for the interview a little before the scheduled start.
Your appearance: Try to look your best at the interview, as this will promote a positive image to the employer.
Make sure you wear appropriate clothes for the situation.
Never do anything like chew gum or smoke while in the interview, and if you do smoke try to hide the smell as usually it can put people off and damage a first impression.
In the interview: Learn the name of your interviewer and shake hands as you meet.
Try and relax. Answer each question as succinctly as possible.
When asked a question, answer it quickly and try not to take too much time thinking of words or what to say.
Try to avoid using slang words. Keep your English as formal and clean as possible.
Make sure you are as cooperative and enthusiastic as possible.
Ask relevant questions about the position you are aiming for and the organisation.
Thank the interviewer when you leave.
Information you should bring to the interview:Government-issued identification such as a drivers license.
Your resume. Not all employers require applicants to bring along their resume but doing so wont hurt.
References. Employers generally require three references. Make sure you get permission before using anyone as a reference and before you ask them to write a reference, be sure that they write you a good one. Try not to use relatives as your references.
Hills Shire Times November 2009