What NOT to do at an interview
Most of what follows is plain common sense but take a glance through it anyway, subconsciously it may trigger a thought or two.
Dress
Wear Jeans and a T-shirt, trainers and your favourite gardening jacket.
If you mean to get the job – Dress the part. The U.K. may be embracing the casual or Dress-Down day phenomena so popular in the U.S.A but not at interviews. How you look when you arrive for an interview says a lot about you and how you might actually do the job.
Punctuality
Arrive when you feel like it. You are the one who’s had to make an awful train journey entirely on spec. just to get there. If they can’t wait a few minutes then they obviously don’t appreciate just how good you are.
Punctuality is expected in an interview situation. Tardiness is not. If for reasons beyond your control you are going to be unavoidable detained, telephone the interviewer/company and let them know. This is far preferable to just arriving late and muttering an apology. Furthermore it is indicative of a proactive attitude which can only be a plus, so it some cases could turn a problem into an opportunity to demonstrate one of your talents. Remember, if you arrive early you can wait around until just the right time – if you arrive late….
Respect
Just walk in, sit down and put up with the interviewer – it’ll only be a short interview.
Whilst your interviewer may not [especially if this is one in a stage of interviews] be as old, technical, well educated or clever as you perceive yourself to be. They still do have the power to stop you getting the job. So remember to treat the with respect and if the need arises allow them a route to save face rather than embarrass them because of a mistake.
Courtesy
You don’t have to be courteous, it’s just an interview.
Of course you don’t but then again it costs nothing, will always impress and demonstrates that you are actually a nice person that is likely to mix well with colleagues and clients alike.
One extra point here: If [and only if, engineering a situation where you can use a technique is only for true professional smoothies], if possible compliment your interviewer on some personal aspect. It’s a technique often used by them on interviewee’s. Also if offered a drink [Tea/Coffee/Cold Drink] always say yes. You know what they say – a refusal often offends.
Refuse to answer any questions you think unnecessary
If the interviewer asks a question which is covered in your c.v. refuse to answer – make them read the c.v. after all you didn’t go there just to waste time answering questions that you’ve already provided the answers to.
The trouble is of course that the interviewer is asking the question for a specific reason, it may not be apparent to you but it is to them and they are supposed to be the one asking the questions. Whatever the question, however trivial or irrelevant it may seem, be sure to give a clear, concise and logically sound answer.
If you don’t know the answers
No problem here, just make it up as you go along or say that it’s been a long time since you dealt with that particular issue.
Sadly even your average interviewer isn’t going to fall for this one. If the question has been asked it needs an answer. If you don’t know and can’t come up with a sound explanation as to why you don’t know [and there aren’t many of those] then you are in trouble. If the question is about the job or its associated tasks then the real question is about your overall ability, if the question is about you or your history then it’s about your suitability to the position.
You don’t need to be totally honesty
Interviewers don’t really care how true the answer is just so long as it sounds right. Just as long as your answer sounds honest and sincere it will be accepted as true.
Now this is a real minefield. Liars have to be good, really good. Many politicians are professional liars and even they can’t fool us most of the time. If you’re going to tell lies then they need to be rehearsed and practiced so that the delivery and body language are perfect every time. Lying is an art and a hard one to master. Let’s face it if you spend all your preparation for the interview rehearsing your lies so that you can just trot them out whenever the need arises, then you’ll have no time to prepare for the real interview. Keep things strictly on the level, you may not make yourself appear a genius but then again you won’t make yourself look totally stupid by being caught in a lie either.
Just keep talking
Interviewers appreciate an articulate candidate. They know the answers to their questions already because they’ve got a copy of your c.v. in front of them. As long as you can provide them with long in depth answers and keep the conversation going you’ll get the job easily.
The less said about “Talking yourself out of a job” the better. When they talk you listen, when they stop you give a clear and concise answer.
Get to the real reason you went there
Once the interview draws to an end remember to press the interviewer for details of salary, pension and other benefits especially holidays. Get the negotiating done now, he’s interviewed you and your obviously going to get the job so don’t let’s waste time.
Assuming that just because he hasn’t thrown you out or the interview was longer than the magical hour that you have the job in the bag is a mistake. Compounding this error by pushing for remuneration and benefit details is almost a sin. Never take this course, at this stage the interviewer wants to know how much you want to do the job and whether you are suitable. After the interview and most likely in discussions the decision will be taken as to whether they will make an offer and if so how much. Although occasionally usually when a member of the H.R. department is present, they will cover this topic in some detail and so you will get the information you seek without having to spoil your chances by pressing them for it.
Always have a big question to hit them with at the end
Just as you leave nonchalantly turn back and say something like ‘OK then if you’ll let me know by Friday because I have a number of other irons in the fire’ is good policy because it always leaves the interviewer feeling wrong footed and shows him who’s boss.
The interview is over when the interviewer says it is. By that time you should have asked all you want to know because they will have given you ample opportunity to do so. Practicing the above just means you have been watching too much Colombo. Get a life then maybe you’ll get a job.
Attending interviews is not a game and if you treat it as such you will get lots of practice until finally realising it. Prospective employers are looking for competent professionals who can do a job and help the company maintain image, credibility and increase profitability.
So when you go for an interview make sure that you portray an honest image and
demonstrate your suitability, desire to do the job and above all treat it as an exercise in professionalism.
