Study after study has shown that interviews are the least efficient way of recruiting the right person and yet bizarrely, they are still the single most important recruitment tool for employers. It is almost impossible for us to imagine getting a job offer without first going to an interview of some sort, and who would want to take a job without first meeting their boss and perhaps a few colleagues?

Psychologists have shown that the problem with interviews is that people like to recruit in their image and they tend to accept or reject candidates within a few minutes of meeting them. This means that while you may spend a whole hour sweating it out, your fate has probably been decided by the time you've shaken hands and sat down.

But don't throw up your hands in despair - Imogen Daniels, recruitment specialist at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) points out that good employers understand the pitfalls of interviewing and the process is slowly becoming more structured, sophisticated and fairer. Meanwhile, first impressions still count and so the secret to good interview technique - however structured the interview - lies in being prepared.

Preparation

Do:

Research the organisation and its business sector - look at the web site, read the annual report, read at least one decent broadsheet newspaper each day, quiz anyone you know who has worked there Carry out some pay-as-you-go desk research on what the papers say. For less than £2 you can buy an hour's worth of research time in our company and industry news database, accessing over 5,000 information sources from the comfort of your own computer. Prepare answers to standard questions - such as why you want the job, where it fits in with your career plans, and what are your strengths and weaknesses at work Be ready with a few questions for the interviewer which show that you have done your homework about the organisation and its business. The recruiter wants to know that you are on the ball Ring and check who will be interviewing you - it could throw you if, instead of the one to one you had imagined, you are faced with an interview panel of six people Check also the format of the interview - for example will there be any personality or skills testing? Dress appropriately. It's a difficult one, but you could feel stupid in a three-piece, pin stripe suit if the three people interviewing you are all in shorts and sweatshirt. So if you can get any hints about the dress code, for example, from other employees, then do. As a general rule go for smart rather than casual and don't be too trendy or wacky if it really isn't your style Read through your CV and application letter Check buses/trains/parking/petrol in the car

Don't:

Forget to read the paper on the day of the interview

At the interview

Do:

Turn up on time and be nice to everyone you meet from the receptionist onwards - you never know who might have a say in your appointment. Make the most of your research - mention some of the facts you have gleaned from the media, etc Make sure you talk to everyone if it is a panel interview rather than directing your answers at one or two people only Find out as much as you can about the job - how else will you be able to decide if they make you an offer? For example, you should want to know who the job reports to and why it has become vacant If the first interview is with a recruitment consultant, pump him or her for as much information about the organisation and the job as possible

Don't:

Be late - in fact arrive 15 minutes early so you have time to go to the loo, wash your hands and mop the sweat from your brow Criticise current or previous employers Answer a question with another question Interrupt the interviewers - although they may interrupt you Leave without finding out when you will hear if you have made it to the next round of the recruitment process, and what that entails Dressing for an interview

It may not be fair, but plenty of surveys have shown that appearance really counts in interview situations. Looking credible and confident can suggest you're the right person for the job.

The key to dressing for interview is to dress appropriately for the company to which you are applying, and to keep things simple. 'Do your homework and see how the company presents itself on a daily basis,' says Barney Tremblay of the Federation of Image Consultants. 'A three-piece suit may be totally inappropriate for a laid-back design agency, for example.'

Do

Dress appropriately for the company you are applying to Pay attention to detail and keep accessories to a minimum Keep cosmetics simple, neutral and well applied Choose garments that flatter your shape and colours that complement you

Don't

Overdress - an Armani business suit may not be appropriate if everyone is wearing Marks and Spencer Neglect grooming details - unkempt finger nails and dandruff on shoulders can be distracting Pick loud colours or patterns - if in doubt err on the side of caution and go muted Wear uncomfortable garments - you won't feel relaxed

What your body language says about you Click here to view totaljobs' example interview questions

After the interview

Do:

Learn from your mistakes - make a list of the questions you answered well and those you answered poorly. Think too about what you should have said

Don't:

Be afraid to ask for feedback if you don't get the job. Good employers are increasingly geared up for this. Also, you may want to apply

 

Supplied by totaljobs.com

Source: Flight International

Topics