Danny
15-12-2014, 02:27 PM
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It's hard to get a job these days, there are many people all applying for the same job, with limited vacancies available. But you're one of the lucky ones, you've been invited for an interview, but wouldn't it be a shame that you get so close and mess up at the final hurdle?
Worry not, because I am about to give you some advice on getting through an interview, the last 3 jobs I applied for, I got the through the interview stage with flying colours and a job given to me more or less straight away, so i'm going to explain the steps I took in getting myself the jobs.
Okay! Step one:
You know you have the interview, so the first thing you should really do before anything else, is research the company. It may be a well known place but having knowledge about the company will make you look eager for the job and willing to put in the effort, something employer's will look for!
When I knew I had my interview for Home Bargains, I looked up their company which is owned by TJ Morris and found out their history, what they sell etc, and that seemed to impress my interviewer.
Step two:
If you really want a job, then you are going to need to make the effort with appearance. It's a little strange I need to include this, but i've seen people turn up to interviews in a tracksuit. Does this give off an air that you want the job, that you should have the job, as opposed to someone that's made the effort? Always dress smart, give yourself time to get ready so that you have clean hair and clean nails, as these are things the employer will notice for sure. If you have a suit, then wear that, but as long as you are wearing smart trousers (usually black) and a smart shirt and decent shoes (not trainers!), the employer is likely to notice this, because more often that not, you will be one of the few that has actually made that effort!
Step three:
It always helps to look up common questions in an interview, so you're not sat there going (Um, errr) or in silence whilst you think of an answer to a question. These questions will be things like, "Why do you want to work here?" "Why should we hire you?" Ones that i've had have been along the lines of "Tell us about a time you have provided good customer service" or similar questions to that. These questions are really where you want to sell yourself, make sure you have answers prepared. But! If they ask a question you've not worked an answer out to, don't lose your head, sometimes in work you need to think on your feet and this will show you work well under pressure. And this leads us to the next step.
Step four:
Confidence. In the past, I was always nervous when in interviews, infact the first job I got my interview was pretty bad, but the employer wanted to give me a chance and I did end up proving myself. Because I knew I had gotten this job with a bad interview, the next one which was for Home Bargains, I walked in with an air of confidence and maybe you would call this arrogant, but I also went in with the mindset that I deserved the job, so that helped me with confidence which I have previously lacked in a major way. But don't appear to be arrogant, if this makes sense.
Step five:
Follow these tips when in an interview! First, relax! Be polite! When you walk in try to smile. Also when you're sat talking to them, eye contact is important but try not to stare too! Look at them if they are talking so you are showing an interest in what they are saying. When you're answering a question, you can look away as if thinking about your answer so that helps to avoid staring, but when your close to finishing your answer, look back at them. Try to be positive, even when answering a question that asks about weaknesses, try and think how you can turn it into a positive. Think of any questions you may have before hand, more often than not they will already be answered for you within the interview. If you have no questions, say something like, "No, I am aware of what the job entails". Hopefully they will give you some indication of how you done, but remember to still smile. At the end, always shake their hand, it shows you are respectful of them!
These are the main things I was aware of when I had each of my interviews recently and I got given the job more or less straight away in each occasion. I'm not saying this will definately get you a job straight away but you have more of a chance.
Got any other tips? Let us know by commenting below!
It's hard to get a job these days, there are many people all applying for the same job, with limited vacancies available. But you're one of the lucky ones, you've been invited for an interview, but wouldn't it be a shame that you get so close and mess up at the final hurdle?
Worry not, because I am about to give you some advice on getting through an interview, the last 3 jobs I applied for, I got the through the interview stage with flying colours and a job given to me more or less straight away, so i'm going to explain the steps I took in getting myself the jobs.
Okay! Step one:
You know you have the interview, so the first thing you should really do before anything else, is research the company. It may be a well known place but having knowledge about the company will make you look eager for the job and willing to put in the effort, something employer's will look for!
When I knew I had my interview for Home Bargains, I looked up their company which is owned by TJ Morris and found out their history, what they sell etc, and that seemed to impress my interviewer.
Step two:
If you really want a job, then you are going to need to make the effort with appearance. It's a little strange I need to include this, but i've seen people turn up to interviews in a tracksuit. Does this give off an air that you want the job, that you should have the job, as opposed to someone that's made the effort? Always dress smart, give yourself time to get ready so that you have clean hair and clean nails, as these are things the employer will notice for sure. If you have a suit, then wear that, but as long as you are wearing smart trousers (usually black) and a smart shirt and decent shoes (not trainers!), the employer is likely to notice this, because more often that not, you will be one of the few that has actually made that effort!
Step three:
It always helps to look up common questions in an interview, so you're not sat there going (Um, errr) or in silence whilst you think of an answer to a question. These questions will be things like, "Why do you want to work here?" "Why should we hire you?" Ones that i've had have been along the lines of "Tell us about a time you have provided good customer service" or similar questions to that. These questions are really where you want to sell yourself, make sure you have answers prepared. But! If they ask a question you've not worked an answer out to, don't lose your head, sometimes in work you need to think on your feet and this will show you work well under pressure. And this leads us to the next step.
Step four:
Confidence. In the past, I was always nervous when in interviews, infact the first job I got my interview was pretty bad, but the employer wanted to give me a chance and I did end up proving myself. Because I knew I had gotten this job with a bad interview, the next one which was for Home Bargains, I walked in with an air of confidence and maybe you would call this arrogant, but I also went in with the mindset that I deserved the job, so that helped me with confidence which I have previously lacked in a major way. But don't appear to be arrogant, if this makes sense.
Step five:
Follow these tips when in an interview! First, relax! Be polite! When you walk in try to smile. Also when you're sat talking to them, eye contact is important but try not to stare too! Look at them if they are talking so you are showing an interest in what they are saying. When you're answering a question, you can look away as if thinking about your answer so that helps to avoid staring, but when your close to finishing your answer, look back at them. Try to be positive, even when answering a question that asks about weaknesses, try and think how you can turn it into a positive. Think of any questions you may have before hand, more often than not they will already be answered for you within the interview. If you have no questions, say something like, "No, I am aware of what the job entails". Hopefully they will give you some indication of how you done, but remember to still smile. At the end, always shake their hand, it shows you are respectful of them!
These are the main things I was aware of when I had each of my interviews recently and I got given the job more or less straight away in each occasion. I'm not saying this will definately get you a job straight away but you have more of a chance.
Got any other tips? Let us know by commenting below!