You need to convince the interviewer that you are the best possible person for the job. Before you enter the interview room, you are just another name on the list. Make sure that by the time you come out, yours is the only name on it. Stay calm, think clearly and don't let tricky questions and being under pressure put you off your stride. Preparation Make sure you know exactly where the interview will take place and the name and position of the person you are due to meet. Work out your route in advance and allow a generous margin of error in case of unforseen circumstances . Have the telephone number of the company handy so that you can let them know if you are running late -this is generally forgiven where as unannounced lateness generally isn't. Find out roughly how long the interview will take and arrange other appointments accordingly -don't leave your car on a meter and end up worrying more about being clamped than getting the job. Research Where you can, gather company information to help you prepare for your interview and better understand the company and the work it does. However you may find that digging a little deeper also boosts your confidence at the interview. Being even a little knowledgeable demonstrates to the interviewer that you have gone to the trouble to see whether you'd fit into the team and make a successful 'career' out of a 'job'. Make sure you ask intelligent questions but not of the "how much holiday?" variety! Demonstrating inside knowledge can be very impressive - obviously, website research goes without saying but talking to someone else in the business (whether you know them or not) can be very powerful ammunition at interview. Quiz yourself Time and again interviewers ask the same general questions in addition to those of a more technical nature. Common are "Why are you interested in this position? " "Tell me about your current boss", "What are the most satisfying/frustrating things about your current employment?" "What are your strengths/where do you think your weaknesses lie?" "Why do you think we should give you this job?" "Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years time?" Learn them, prepare your answers, practice them on friends.
Dress to impress People shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but they do, all the time. If you look untidy that's how you'll be remembered and first impressions really do count. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Always wear a suit and tie or neat skirt/dress and polish your shoes; no white or brightly patterned socks, no Disney ties. Even if you are attending a second interview and you know the organisation allows less formal work dress, maintain a professional/formal approach, as you don't know who you may happen to meet, the Managing Director perhaps! It may sound obvious, but be civilised and remember your manners. Shake hands firmly with people you are introduced to and when you leave. If you are offered a coffee say your please and thank your, but keep it natural.
Be unaggressively assertive Find the right tone in which to present your positive aspects. You have to talk about your achievements to show you are the right person, but do it without being boastful. Under no circumstances should you spend a significant portion of the interview running down your current employer -this is viewed as negative. Remember the two ears, one mouth equation and try to deploy them in that ratio - and don't interrupt, use the time to think through your answer. Turn weaknesses into strengths Don't pretend you haven't got any weaknesses because everyone has some. On the other hand, don't do yourself down, because you could be talking your way out of a job. Discuss your weaknesses as though you have recognised them and strive to overcome them. "1 used to have bad time management so now I priorities my workload first thing every morning" . "I like to take control and be involved in everything. I sometimes find it hard to delegate but when I have, the results have been positive". If you lack technical strength in a particular area don't try and 'smokescreen' but admit; "no, that isn't my strongest suit, but I'm sure it's not going to be a problem to pick it up". Have a positive attitude Great organizations recruit on attitude rather than knowledge - based on the fact that knowledge can be gained but a bad attitude is usually there to stay. Above all, don't wait until after the event to decide that you wished you'd tried harder to get the position. Always go in with the intention of getting an offer, only then do you really have the chance to weigh up how this opportunity compares with others. Many people, with the benefit of hindsight, have regretted they didn't take a particular interview sufficiently seriously -don't let yourself be in this 'if only' category!
Some worthwhile questions Finally, if you are given the chance to ask questions you should always take it. It's best to ask questions that fit naturally into the context of the interview and there is obviously no benefit in asking a previously prepared question if the subject matter has been adequately covered it simply looks like you haven't paid attention. However, if inspiration fails you here are some suggestions, which should give the right impression. • What is the logical progression within the position; where can I expect to be if my performance is good? • What are the future plans for the company and the department? • What, in your opinion, are the major reasons why someone should join this company? • What would be your picture of success for a candidate appointed to this role? i.e what would success look like in this job? |
Executive Positions
