Tips for Interviewing

The Access HR Team | 1 Mar 2006 11:21 AM

The interview process is the one opportunity that you have to prove that you have what it takes to excel in the role being offered, and to get the interviewer to pick you.  Below are a few tips on how to put you ahead in the interviewing process:

  1. Arrive early.  5 – 10 minutes early is sufficient.  It is important to show that you are eager, but also that you have good time management and that you don’t become an inconvenience to the interviewer.
  2. Introduce yourself to the Secretary/Receptionist, and always be courteous and friendly to anyone you meet.
  3. Smile – A natural simile punctuates your conversation and adds to your presentation
  4. Treat the interviewer as a potential colleague and begin to establish a rapport as you would with a peer.  Be careful not to provide to much personal information, as this is not relevant to the position and may cause the interviewer to put a red flag up!
  5. Always look at the interviewer – maintain direct eye contact!
  6. Avoid irritating habits – this includes pen clicking, pencil tapping, hair twisting, foot swinging, nail biting and knuckle cracking.
  7. Practice – before the interview run through some questions you think might be asked and have some answers prepared.
  8. Most importantly – RELAX!  Keep in mind that you have a valuable contribution to make to this organization, and in reality it is just two people meeting with one another to get to know each other better.  It is not a life or death situation.