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Salary and benefit questions are best saved up until you have ultimate bargaining power - at the very least, second interview stage. The point of ultimate power is the time between being offered the job and accepting it. Good Luck!
Being as prepared as possible is the key to success in the interview game. Here are a few tips to get you thinking and prepared for the interview.
Research
Visit the prospective employer's website and browse through the "About Us," "Employment," "Careers," "Our People," and "Media" or "News" sections. If you know the name of your interviewer then google their name to see what has been posted about them. Quite often the company website has media releases attached which are also a great source of general information relating to the organisation.
Before the interview, find out the name and title of each and every person you will be meeting with. Memorise the names. Your Paxus Recruitment Consultant should provide you with this information.
Behavioural Interviewing
This is where the question requires the interviewee to provide an actual example from their work or life experience. Questions will start with words such as "Tell me about a time when..." or "Give me an example of ...". The technique is built on the theory that best predictor of future performance is past performance.
Appearance
Take extra care with your appearance. Ensure your clothes are clean and well ironed. Check for stains, stray threads and loose buttons. Avoid visual distractions such as loud ties, chipped nail polish, heavy make up, sheer fabrics, heavy ear rings, jewellery that jangles, overpowering fragrances and unwashed hair or hair that flops into your eyes or needs constant pushing back.
Feeling good
On the morning of the interview, go for a walk or spend some time doing stretches. Breathe deeply, which will help you relax, have better posture and therefore look the part of the successful candidate. On the way to the interview, walk tall and smile. Strangers will smile back at you and the receptionist at the interview firm will be nice to you. By the time you hit the interview, you'll feel good. Remember, some butterflies in the stomach are okay. Fear and excitement can cause butterflies so tell yourself those flutters are excitement and you are going to be a great success!
During the interview
- Don't say anything negative about a past employer.
- Don't interrupt anyone and listen, listen and listen some more!
- Keep your answers relatively short and to the point. If the interviewer wants more information, he or she will ask for it. By the same token, try to avoid answering with just a "yes" or "no".
- Maintain good eye contact. If there is more than one person at the interview, talk to both or all of them - no matter how junior or seemingly incidental.
- Prepare something for when you are invited to ask questions. Two to three questions is enough. Sound questions could include who you will be reporting to, questions about the team you would be joining, career path options, projects you could be working on.
- Think carefully before accepting a drink. You might find yourself in a chair without arms and out of reach of a table balancing a coffee, tea or glass of water throughout the interview.
- Smile - when appropriate of course.
Common Mistakes
Body language
Poor body language is often just a habit and candidates don't realise the message they are sending about themselves to prospective employers.
Avoid
- sitting with crossed arms - this is a sign of a closed mind and gives the impression the person is not open to new ideas;
- hands touching or in front of their mouth or face - this is a sign of not being open and honest with answers;
- fidgeting - this signals a lack of focus on the interview;
- frowning while being asked a question - this can indicate the candidate thinks the question silly or unnecessary; and
- sitting awkwardly - this is a sign the person would rather not be there.
Language
Use 'active', positive words when talking about experiences, and avoid using those that denote uncertainty.
Words such as 'possibly', 'perhaps', 'probably' and 'potentially' are wishy-washy, weak and woolly; be more decisive.
A sentence should not start with a negative, for example; "I only have three months' experience..." means the interviewer will only remember the first part of the answer. Such a response should be re-phrased as, "In the three months in this position I have gained experience in...".
Source:
Amanda Miles, Paxus and Deborah Barit, Author of Impressive Interviews – www.impressiveinterviews.com.au
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