Now, we all know that going to an interview is one of events in life that we all hate. Nobody queues up for the chance to sit down at a table with some people who are going to drill you with questions and try to make you slip up. To take your career to the next level, you need to meet the needs of the interview puzzle. There are three basic elements to a successful interview preparation strategy - Preparation, Presentation and Positive Thinking. Let's start with the beginning: the introduction...
At the beginning of an interview - you need to remain on your guard. It's going to be a roller coaster ride from here on in! They will be noticing everything you say and everything you do. You will be judged on the smallest of details. Your adrenaline levels will be sky high. You will be sweating, your heart racing and your stomach churning. You will enter the room and simultaneously want to swivel on your heels and make a quick exit. Just as you are about to go with your heart - the interviewer smiles and greets you. You are getting sucked in to a life changing event.
Fear not. Introductions dont have to be embarrassing, distressing or tearful episodes. Introductions can be easy and fun. You simply have to approach things calmly and logically. Stop and think about it for a moment. Youre meeting someone for the first time; its a clean sheet, an opportunity for you to write your own ticket without preconceptions or bias getting in the way. All you have to do is arrive on time, dress smartly, check your teeth for remnants of your last meal, be yourself and make sure youre wearing industrial strength deodorant. What could be simpler? To build up confidence you can always practice introducing yourself in front of the bathroom mirror before you actually attend any interviews. You might want to try this in the comfort of your own home rather than in the washroom of your local pizzeria, where introducing yourself to fellow patrons might be frowned upon.
Having successfully navigated the interview introductions, your next big challenge is to deal with an offer of refreshments. Something as seemingly benign as a cup of tea or coffee can wreak havoc during an interview. Having to juggle hot liquids in flimsy plastic cups while convincing a stranger of your marketing expertise or business acumen should always be avoided. Accepting or declining refreshments is something of a judgement call, as you dont want to appear ill at ease, but remember the risks are high. Loud slurping or gulping wont endear you to the interviewer while spilling hot chocolate down the front of your cream and oatmeal business suit is a blunder few candidates can easily recover from. So, if you find fear and anxiety has made your mouth as dry as Death Valley on the hottest day of the year simply ask for a glass of water. Its probably your safest option.
Studies suggest that the majority of recruitment decisions are made in the first 4-9 minutes of the interview. You need to start with a bang and go up from there. Try to settle down quickly as you will need to get into the zone very quickly. After the initial how do you do's, remember to stay focussed on your goals. Don't panic and trust your preparation to allow you to answer your questions confidently and competently. Take your time when they ask you a question. Deliver your answers clearly and confidently. Stay focussed on delivering the messages that you want the interview panel to receive.
Interviews aren't really the onerous process that you may believe them to be. It is simply a meeting between two parties. The outcome of the meeting will be of huge importance to both sides - so they are likely to be just as fearful as you - but in a different way. They will not want to make a mistake in 5 minutes, that they will go on to regret for the months to come. Trust the process and trust the individuals. Stay focussed on achieving your goals and see what happens. If you aren't successful, then make sure that you get some feedback on your performance so that you can move on positively.
If things appear to be going well, your rapport seems to be good and the questions appear to be the ones you prepared for - beware! Stay polite and professional to the end. Don't try to crack a joke and create any banter with the panel. It is a business meeting and you should keep the tone in that light.
It's important to keep performing right until the end. Don't let your guard down at this late stage. Before you get up - engage eye contact with the panel and smile. Say thank you to them and stand up carefully. Make a note of any hazards that might trip you up. Determine the best route out of the room and follow that route with a sureness of foot. Congratulations. - 16755
At the beginning of an interview - you need to remain on your guard. It's going to be a roller coaster ride from here on in! They will be noticing everything you say and everything you do. You will be judged on the smallest of details. Your adrenaline levels will be sky high. You will be sweating, your heart racing and your stomach churning. You will enter the room and simultaneously want to swivel on your heels and make a quick exit. Just as you are about to go with your heart - the interviewer smiles and greets you. You are getting sucked in to a life changing event.
Fear not. Introductions dont have to be embarrassing, distressing or tearful episodes. Introductions can be easy and fun. You simply have to approach things calmly and logically. Stop and think about it for a moment. Youre meeting someone for the first time; its a clean sheet, an opportunity for you to write your own ticket without preconceptions or bias getting in the way. All you have to do is arrive on time, dress smartly, check your teeth for remnants of your last meal, be yourself and make sure youre wearing industrial strength deodorant. What could be simpler? To build up confidence you can always practice introducing yourself in front of the bathroom mirror before you actually attend any interviews. You might want to try this in the comfort of your own home rather than in the washroom of your local pizzeria, where introducing yourself to fellow patrons might be frowned upon.
Having successfully navigated the interview introductions, your next big challenge is to deal with an offer of refreshments. Something as seemingly benign as a cup of tea or coffee can wreak havoc during an interview. Having to juggle hot liquids in flimsy plastic cups while convincing a stranger of your marketing expertise or business acumen should always be avoided. Accepting or declining refreshments is something of a judgement call, as you dont want to appear ill at ease, but remember the risks are high. Loud slurping or gulping wont endear you to the interviewer while spilling hot chocolate down the front of your cream and oatmeal business suit is a blunder few candidates can easily recover from. So, if you find fear and anxiety has made your mouth as dry as Death Valley on the hottest day of the year simply ask for a glass of water. Its probably your safest option.
Studies suggest that the majority of recruitment decisions are made in the first 4-9 minutes of the interview. You need to start with a bang and go up from there. Try to settle down quickly as you will need to get into the zone very quickly. After the initial how do you do's, remember to stay focussed on your goals. Don't panic and trust your preparation to allow you to answer your questions confidently and competently. Take your time when they ask you a question. Deliver your answers clearly and confidently. Stay focussed on delivering the messages that you want the interview panel to receive.
Interviews aren't really the onerous process that you may believe them to be. It is simply a meeting between two parties. The outcome of the meeting will be of huge importance to both sides - so they are likely to be just as fearful as you - but in a different way. They will not want to make a mistake in 5 minutes, that they will go on to regret for the months to come. Trust the process and trust the individuals. Stay focussed on achieving your goals and see what happens. If you aren't successful, then make sure that you get some feedback on your performance so that you can move on positively.
If things appear to be going well, your rapport seems to be good and the questions appear to be the ones you prepared for - beware! Stay polite and professional to the end. Don't try to crack a joke and create any banter with the panel. It is a business meeting and you should keep the tone in that light.
It's important to keep performing right until the end. Don't let your guard down at this late stage. Before you get up - engage eye contact with the panel and smile. Say thank you to them and stand up carefully. Make a note of any hazards that might trip you up. Determine the best route out of the room and follow that route with a sureness of foot. Congratulations. - 16755
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To learn more about how to prepare yourself for your interview have a look at this video on residency interview
