Congratulations on securing an interview !

This is your opportunity to demonstrate your personal attributes, your strengths, personality, your ability to communicate and how you react under pressure. Here are some tips to assist you in selling your assets:

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Develop Rapport

To ensure effective communication, it is very important to develop a good rapport with the person interviewing you. Of course, this is sometimes difficult, particularly if you "really want the job". However, you must relax - get that high-pitched or tense tone out of your voice - and appear to be calm and self-assured at all times.

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One of the simplest ways of helping this is to smile a lot. Yes, when appropriate, smile. Not a grin but a genuine, warm smile. Ask yourself seriously: do you smile during the course of conversation?

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Relax the Interviewer !

If you put the interviewer at ease they will immediately feel more comfortable with you, which will work to your benefit. Don't assume you're the only one who's tense. A lot of people doing the hiring are also a little tense when they conduct interviews.

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Whether you get the job or not can often come down to the basics (interviewers will often make up their mind on gut feeling): Do I like you? Do I think you are going to fit into my organisation? Do I trust you? Would I buy from you? Would my customers take advice from you?

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Ask Good Questions

This is a big tip! Don't just tell the interviewer how wonderful you are and how good your achievements have been. Demonstrate that you have done your homework, that you are really listening and you understand what's going on. You can do this by asking relevant questions about the company and the job in question.

 

Taking an interest in the big picture, that is, the company, as well as the job itself, will have a positive influence on the interviewer. If, in the limited time of an interview, you can ask one or two questions that actually make the interviewer think about the answer, or better still, maybe cover issues they hadn't even thought of, then you really are on the home stretch.

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Demonstrate Enthusiasm

An employer is often willing to give someone a chance, even if they don't have the right skills, because they are enthusiastic and passionate about a particular job. Demonstrate how keen you are. Do your homework and be definite: I want this job. Then follow up tenaciously. It does work!

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Preparation Will Make or Break the Interview !

Preparation is the first essential step towards a successful interview. Company interviewers are continually amazed at the number of applicants who drift into their offices without any apparent preparation and only the vaguest idea of what they are going to say.

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It's important to clarify the following before the interview:

• Know the exact place and time of the interview; the interviewer's full name; the correct pronunciation; and their title

• Find out specific facts about the company - where its plants, stores or offices are located; what its products and services are; what its growth has been; what its growth potential is. 

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Closing the Interview

You have come to the end of the interview. Don't make the mistake and nervously mumble "Thank You" and leave. Always be prepared to ask questions at the end of the interview - have at least one intelligent question that indicates you've been listening. Of course this is also a good opportunity to let the interviewer know that you are enthusiastic about the job. Don't worry about appearing too eager - as long as you're being yourself. The company is looking for an enthusiastic person, not someone who hasn't decided if this is the right career for them.

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If you have answered the two questions uppermost in the interviewer's mind ("Why are you interested in the job and the company?" and "What can you offer and can you do the job?") then you have done all you can.

Good luck - and enjoy!

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