*JOB INTERVIEW-THE D-DAY?* For many people, the time before an interview is a nerve-racking, adrenalin-pumping period. Try to put all that adrenalin to positive use. This means, first of all, adopting a positive attitude. The interview does not require you to assume the role of a 'victim'. Remember that the interviewers are under your scrutiny as much as you are under theirs.
You may be the best candidate for a job, but that is no guarantee that the job will be offered. Experience and qualifications are important, but you may also have to sell yourself as the 'best' person for the post. Begin by thinking how you can make your best impression on the interviewers. Don't try to put a false mask. Try to present yourself in a positive way. Research the company. Find out what the company's priorities are. Know your own strengths and weaknesses. As regards the former, match the same with the job requirements, and as regards the latter, turn those to your advantage through positive and convincing explanations. For example, INTERVIEWER: "Between 1999 and 2003, you had quite a few different jobs. Why was that?" INTERVIEWEE: "At that time I was unsure about the direction I wanted my Career to take. I felt the need to test my strengths and weaknesses in various kinds of employment so I could find out what I could do best. The different jobs taught me a wide range of skills: word-Processing, selling by telephone and small business accounting. I think these skills will always be useful, and I wouldn't have had the chance to learn them if I hadn't tried a number of different jobs." In this way, you can turn an apparent failure or misfortune into an advantage. 'BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEAD SEA!' This is true of a job interview! So, how will you confront? Here's the answer! It's as simple as this! On the D-Day, allow yourself plenty of time to get ready and travel to the venue. A last minute rush means you will arrive flustered. If you feel nervous, try various relaxation exercises. Think in advance as to what you will do when the Interview is over. First impressions are of paramount importance. Before you speak you will be seen. Your appearance, the first greeting and your body language should indicate your sense of appropriateness. Establishing rapport is the next criterion. The better you are at listening, the better you will know when to speak and what to say. While taking questions, The Dos are: Do keep your sentences short and to the point. Do end your answers with positive points whenever you can. Do avoid unnecessary personal exposures. Do be wary of using jargon to impress the interviewer. The Don'ts are: Don't launch into an answer without assembling your thoughts. Don't think that you have to keep talking until you are interrupted. Don't play for time. Don't make comments such as, 'That's an interesting question', while nodding your head sagely- a head that is all too obviously empty of ideas! Don't undersell yourself by being too apologetic. Don't dwell unnecessarily on failures or bad luck. However much you prepare your ideas, you are bound to face the trap of difficult questions. Whatever you do, don't panic. Try answering, if not, say so. Don't simply invent an answer to fill the silence. A quietly confident admission of ignorance is more impressive than bluster! Finally, conclude with a pleasing note. The end result! Whether you emerge from your interview feeling high or low, you will need an activity to help you through the post-interview period. You may want to speak to a friend or go for a walk…anything to keep at bay the sense of anticlimax! You should also make time soon after the interview to jot down notes as to how it went. Were there any questions that took you by surprise? Were there questions, which you would answer more successfully, given another chance? These notes will be useful when preparing for future interviews, and if luck favours, the ball will be in your court!
