Something quick to read the morning of.
Here are 11 tips to guide you from the start to the finish of your interview.
Be early, but not too early. You may bump into other interviewees and make the interviewers uncomfortable.
Note: If you are going to be late, call ahead, provide a solid reason and apologise.
Your phone can still distract when on vibrate or silent, so the best thing to do is turn it off.
And keep it out of view.
While they aren’t used as much as in the past, handshakes are still the most common form of greeting.
Be firm enough to show a little confidence, but soft enough that you don’t squeeze the person you are greeting.
Avoid being too chatty, elaborating on personal information, making negative comments or talking about politics or religion.
A good rule of thumb is to listen more than you speak.
If you’re asked if you’d like a coffee, tea or water, and they’re having one, say yes because some people feel awkward if they consume food or drinks alone. Alternatively, if they aren’t, politely decline the offer.
Tip: Taking sips of coffee or water can help you think of answers when asked difficult questions. Just don’t be too obvious.
When you enter the interview room stand back a little and wait until you’ve been invited to sit down.
If the interviewers sit down without saying anything, it’s ok to follow suit.
Positivity is contagious, so smile and nod where applicable.
If during the interview you feel the opportunity isn’t for you, make sure you stay enthusiastic and stick it out. If you seem too unimpressed you risk coming across as ungrateful and rude.
This shows that you’re focused on detail and paying attention to what is being said.
Don’t continually write, though, because it will make it difficult to make a personal connection.
Wait until the end of the conversation before bringing up money; otherwise you might come across as too one-dimensional.
For more on this check out our guide to negotiating your salary.
Most people ignore using handles when saying goodbye, but if you want to leave an impression, use their names.
Tip: Thank the person who greeted you on arrival.
Within one or two days, send a personalised email to those who attended the interview thanking them for their time.
In this communication reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and briefly recap how your strengths relate to the role and what was discussed.
