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Why settle for one interview tip when you can have ten!Most of us could do with at least one interview tip in our lifetime and it seems to be getting earlier and earlier in our lives. Schools, colleges, universities, small companies and hige multinationals all want to hear what we have to say!
Tip 1 First obvious interview tip - be prepared. Find out about the school, college, business, etc. What do they do? What have they achieved? Tip 2 Practice talking about yourself although some people don't need to practice this bit. What are your interests? What are your qualifications? What groups have you joined - Scouts, Brownies, St John Ambulance etc. What are your good points? What are your bad points? - even you must have some! Tip 3 Be prepared to talk about or sell something. My daughter, at the age of 17, wanted a Christmas job at the local Toys R Us Store and had to sell a baby rattle to the group. She got the job (but turned it down in favor of a Father Christmas Grotto) but one of the group - a young man asked to be excused as soon as he realised what he had to do and never came back! Practice your selling technique at home - just pick up an object - any object. Washing up liquid, hair brush, cell phone, plate etc. and talk about it - out loud. The important thing is not to panic. Speak slowly and don't be afraid to pause. You're not expected to be super human. Get used to stating the obvious - but sound enthusiastic. Lets get back to the baby rattle. You aren't expected to know technical details - just use your common sense and then sound excited about it.Being excited doesn't mean rush! It means make the important words stand out. Tip 4 At some interviews you'll be asked to read aloud an article or a letter. Don't panic as this is very simple. Reading aloud at sight can easily be practiced at home. Just take your time and make sure that the interviewer can hear you. Tip 5 Always answer in sentences. Don't use one word answers such as 'yes' or 'no' and please don't nod your head - SPEAK. Tip 6 Posture is very important. Don't slouch, sit in a comfortable position with your back straight. It's very easy to sit down in a chair and then let your ribs sink down - this gives a very lazy impression. Don't fiddle with your hair or clothes and don't tap your fingers or sway from side to side in the chair. Tip 7 If you're asked if you have any questions, don't be frightened to say 'no' if you honestly have none. It's a good idea, however,to have a couple of questions worked out in advance - then you'll give the impression that you've thought about the interview and that you're interested in what they have to offer. Tip 8 Remember - most interviews have a time limit. The more questions you say 'yes' or 'no' to, the more questions you'll have to answer! If you can answer questions intelligently with long answers (making sure the information is relevant), the less time there is for the interviewer to ask you something awkward! Try to think of it as a short conversation. Tip 9 Wait until the interviewer has finished the question before you start to answer. Stay in control of the situation.
Remember that however chatty or informal the interview appears to be it does have a specific purpose. It's a business conversation and should be treated as such. There are certain questions that come up in interviews and my final interview tip number 10 is to read the list of questions and prepare answers in advance.
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