Key rules for successful job interviews

Be prepared and do your homework

Don’t go into a meeting as important as a job interview without doing some research.  Once an interview is confirmed, start an intensive study of the company. 

Gather information from the website, news clippings and undertake a ‘Google search’.  You should also call contacts to see what they know about the company culture and its values and what kinds of employees it hires.

By being prepared, you will speak intelligently during the interview and will demonstrate your enthusiasm, as it will be evident that you have done your homework.

Dress appropriately

Appearances do count, so a well-groomed appearance is vital.  It’s unfair, but it’s a fact of life, that judgments are made on appearance, and if you want a job, you should play by the rules.

Bring supporting documentation

• Bring an attaché case and include everything that demonstrates your capacity to do the job.  You should consider including: 
• A couple of hard copies of your resume, on quality white paper
• Reference details on paper (if not included in your resume), with their names, address, contact numbers and job title.
• Any letter references that you have file (don’t worry about the very old reference letters, just the more recent ones that you have on file, that are written by people who have supervised you in a work or voluntary capacity)
• Any work samples, or portfolio or work
• Any special licences

Be punctual

Don’t be late and allow heaps of time for traffic and parking problems.  If you are too early, don’t appear at the receptionist desk.  Instead walk around the block and arrive no more than 5 minutes before your appointment.

Make the right first impression

First impressions do count - in fact psychologists suggest that indelible impressions are made during the first five minutes of any introduction.  So practice your greeting, shake hands with a firm grip and smile with your eyes and mouth. 

Watch your attitude

It is important to have a positive, but not cocky attitude at interview.  Be confident and sincere, but don’t oversell and come across as arrogant (even if you could do the job blind folder)

Likewise, don’t beg or come across as needy.  Even if you had a really rough ride in your last job, don’t come across as bitter or twisted.  This will reflect badly on you.

Clarify if necessary

If you don’t understand something the interviewer has asked, you, don’t be afraid to clarify the question, by asking them to rephrase it.

Relevant articles and resources

• What you need to know about the interview process for the public service sector
• Answers to common interview questions
• How to negotiate a top salary, even in tough economic times
• Book review of 10 key steps to ace that interview
• Sample questions to ask potential employer
• How to pass job selection tests
• Do's and Don'ts during the interview
• How to manage illegal questions at interview
• Questions to ask during the job interview
• Dressing for job interviews