Do’s and Don’ts of Interviews

Before an Interview

1. Research the organization. The more you know about a potential employer, the better. The Internet is an excellent research tool, if you can’t get the information you need, you can always phone the company and ask

 
2. Review your CV. Your CV should be as close to perfect as possible a match for the job description.

 
3. Practice answering potential interview questions. Tell me about yourself? Why do you want to leave your current position? What would set you apart from other candidates? What are your strengths and weaknesses?

 
4. Prepare a list of questions for the employer. Is their room for progression within the organisation?  What are the key responsibilities within this role?  What would the ideal candidate offer your organisation?

1. Dress and adjust your attitude for success.

Your clothes and your attitude should reflect the level of the position for which you're interviewing – please avoid those cartoon ties, they tend to be unsuitable for most positions.
 
2. Manage your time effectively.

Plan your trip so you arrive at the interview approximately 10 minutes early, there are no excuses for lateness, no matter how late the bus was or how poor the traffic was.

During the Interview

1. Follow the lead of the interviewer.

You don’t need to talk al the time, silence in an interview is OK. You don't need to keep on talking or fill in those awkward gaps unless there is a logical reason to.
 
2. Determine the next step.

Don't leave the interview without finding out what happens next. You'll regret not knowing what to expect in the future. Always ask when a decision will be made.

1. Analyze the interview.

Time now to review your own performance, how did you perform?  How do you feel after the interview? Did you ask all the questions you need to?  Are you still interested in the position?  Do you need to talk it over with anyone – a leveling influence for you?
 
2. Follow up.

If you haven't heard from the employer in two weeks, make a telephone call to ask if you can provide them with any other information to help the decision-making process. Remind them that you're still very interested in this opportunity and if you don't get the job, don't take it personally or become discouraged - some job opportunities don't work out even when they seem to be a perfect match for your skills

What not to say in an interview :

• Don't address your interviewer by their first name, unless and until it's clearly established that the interview is on a first-name basis. Let the interviewer speak first

 
• Don't use the wrong name, first or last.

 
• Don't say anything that suggests you're desperate for the job, even if you are.

 
• Don't bad-mouth your former boss or company.

 
• Don't ask, "What do you do?" Research the company, the department and when possible, the interviewer,

 
• Don't brag. Yes, you need to sell yourself by recounting your achievements, but do so by demonstrating what you achieved.

 
• Don't ramble on and on with your responses, your interviewer's mind may start to wander. Get to the point, try to keep responses to 60 seconds or less.