A useful tool for how to get job interview success

A useful tool for how to get job interview success:

Confidence can help carry you through a successful interview.

MANY experts will tell you that the first 30 seconds of a job interview are the most important - so if you want to be a cut above the rest you need to be on the ball.

Whether you are likely to be asked a set of complex questions about the company's finances or what animal you would like to be, you need to be prepared.

Before you are asked anything, the first and most important thing is to make that instant good first impression by entering the room confidently, shaking hands and making eye contact.
Confidence can help carry you through a successful interview.

Confidence can help carry you through a successful interview.

Liz Anderson, human resources manager for online bank Intelligent Finance, says: "You have to sell yourself before you can sell anything else and the first 30 seconds are when the interviewer subconsciously makes decisions about whether they like you or not and whether you will fit into the team."

For Anderson there are basic standards to aim for - such as punctuality and politeness - but she is also keen to see candidates who have done their homework.

"I like to see that people are well prepared," she says. "You can always tell if someone has just memorised something and that's a real turn off. I like someone to be able to talk about figures and compare us knowledgeably with other companies."

Another important tip from the experts is to take enough time to answer questions properly rather than waffling. "You should be able to be comfortable in silence and be able to think about the question before you answer it," says Anderson. "It is better to say that you need a minute to think about your answer rather than speak instantly and regret it afterwards."

As well as the nuts and bolts of the interview, many people are unsure what to wear. For men it is simple; a suit can never be wrong. Similarly for women; if in doubt wear a conservative, business-like suit.

It is better to say that you need a minute to think about your answer rather than speak instantly and regret it afterwards.
- Liz Anderson

Lisa Nickels, managing director of Intuity Resourcing - a London-based company that specialises in secretarial recruitment - says: "If you turn up and everyone's in jeans you can make a joke about it and break the ice. But if you turn up in the latest trendy fashions and they're all in suits you will look unprofessional and feel embarrassed."

Nickels also stresses the importance of first impressions. "At least 80 per cent of our initial impressions about someone are based on body language," she says. "Look and sound the part and you are 80 per cent there."

Here are some popular interview questions with some suggestions on how to answer them:

1. Tell me about yourself?
Keep your answer short and if you have a personal statement on your CV use that as a starting point.
2. What do you know about our company?
Make sure you have researched the company's products and history and appear interested and informed. But also let the interviewer talk too, as most of them like to describe the business as they see it.
3. Why do you want to work for us?
Don't talk about what you want but rather what the company's needs are. It might be a good idea to say you want to be part of an exciting, forward-thinking business and that you can make a contribution to specific goals of the company.
4. Why should we hire you?
Because of your knowledge, experience, abilities and skills.
5. What do you think of your current boss?
Be as positive as you can and explain how much you learned working for him or her.
6. What are your interests?
Show that you lead an interesting and balanced life by talking about books or films you might like or what activities you do outside work.
7. How would you describe your personality?
Remember your employer will want you to fit into a team, so appear calm and friendly and say you have a balanced personality.
8. What are your strong points?
Have at least three ready and try and relate them to the company and the job that's on offer.
9. Why are you leaving your current job?
Make sure you give positive reasons. If you were forced to leave your job then try not to personalise it. Maybe say your department was being re-organised or consolidated. If you are choosing to leave, then say it is the challenge of the job on offer which has persuaded you to do it.
10. What kind of salary are you worth?
Have a specific figure in mind and don't be hesitant. If you don't want to be this direct then ask what is the salary range for similar positions in the company. link