The Job Interview

[matthew123]

The Job Interview

Firstly, dress very well. Even if you know they wear t-shirt and jeans still wear a shirt, tie and suit to the interview. Do not wear boots or trendy trainers, do not arrive with sweaty hands, do not smell of booze, do not arrive having had beans and garlic for your lunch. They are the basic laws of entry into an interview.

On arrival at the hiring firm you will usually sign in and be told to wait patiently in the lobby for the hiring manager. Take this opportunity to grab any trade magazine or newspaper that is available in your seating area, this will demonstrate to the hiring manager when they come to collect you that you are screwed in to the role. What you must not do is be seen trawling through the sports pages, that is a serious no-no or worst of all be caught oggling one of the receptionists.

When greeted by the hiring manager immediately spring to your feet with a beaming smile and be the first to offer your hand. If this is not reciprocated take a deep breath and follow behind the hiring manager. On the other hand if a firm handshake has been applied then march shoulder to shoulder with your potential new boss.

If the hiring manager starts up some small talk whilst escorting you to the interview room remember this is not an invitation to start babbling on about your favourite hobbies. Instead you nod, smile and agree with what ever your superior mumours providing of course it is all above board and legal (if it is not show some discretion and keep your powder dry for another day).

When you reach the interview room do not charge for the big comfy leather chair, rather wait for guidance on this issue. There maybe more than one person interviewing you so be alert when they are introduced and make a mental note of their names. If you are asked what would you like to drink, do not try and show you are a wise guy by asking for a beer. Instead simply ask for tap water as this will prove you are very humble rather than asking for tea or coffee. If offered biscuits do not be tempted, even if you have skipped lunch and are near starvation. This is a time to show discipline so ignore the interviewers racing through the chocolate biscuits like pigs in a trough.

The interview will begin and they will probably start discussing the role so listen very carefully. It is very important for your eyes to flash up and spontaniously smile when they mention any aspects which may not be favourable. For instance if they say you do not get paid for first 3 months take this opportunity to tell the interviewer(s) that for you personally hunger breeds performance and it would be just like at College when you regularly came top of the class whilst your fellow, fat, rich students fell by the wayside.

The main part of the interview, also known as the interrogation or if you're unlucky later called beating up monkey, will start. The important thing to remember is do not appear startled by any questions. Of course some questions will shock you to the core but you must remain calm. Whatever you do keep your chin up and remember worse things have happened at sea. Greet simple and difficult questions in the same manner, smile, nod, and ooze confidence even if there is just an empty shell behind your eyes. Natually give the right answer when possible but do not under any circumstances start showing off with extra knowledge. The worst thing to do is demonstrate to any peers in interview that you know more than them as obviously no one wants to hire someone with superior skills as it will compromise their own futures. If you do not know the answer then roll your lips a few times, look deep into the eyes of the interviewer and wait for them to ask another question - interviewers only remember wrong answers.

At the end of interview you should shake hands and thank each member of the interview by their first name if you are 100% sure you have remembered it correctly otherwise a nod and submissive smile is necessary. Even if they refer to you by the wrong name do not be tempted in any shape or form to correct them and certainly do not play the same trick on them by calling them by the wrong name.

As you depart the interview building ring the recruitment agent immediately and tell them the role sounds fantastic and you did very well. Although if it was a real washout then inform the agent that the interviewers could barely speak English so it was almost impossible to understand the questions.

[annaj]

Ummm. Ok.

What's this then? The unsolicited advice thread?

[HonaloochieB]

Fine advice there Matthew123, I haven't been on a job interview for years, but if and when I do, that'll be my template.

Though, doesn't going for the big comfy chair, mark you out as a bit of a 'go-getter' and the sort of person who's able to 'think outside of his box' and at the same time has 'balls'?

I merely ask.

[PeckhamRose]

Can I bring my dog?

[????]

Don't ask for a beer? Sound advice. Can't wait for how to walk C&P..."put one foot in front then the other"