Job InterviewsJob InterviewsCareer Builder Ads, Monkeys

What to know!!!What to know!!!

Cover Letters and Cover Letters and ResumesResumes

Your cover letter, resume, or application Your cover letter, resume, or application form will introduce you to your potential form will introduce you to your potential new employer and get them interested.new employer and get them interested.

Come prepared with these documents Come prepared with these documents

Did You Know?Did You Know?

Research shows that most "yes" or "no" Research shows that most "yes" or "no" decisions are made within the first few decisions are made within the first few

minutes of a job interview. minutes of a job interview.

Research the CompanyResearch the Company

As a general rule, the more famous the brand, the more they will As a general rule, the more famous the brand, the more they will expect you to have done your homework. Researching the expect you to have done your homework. Researching the company shows you're serious about the job.company shows you're serious about the job.

Example from a real interview for a major food brand:  Example from a real interview for a major food brand:  Candidate: "Hello Mr. Interviewer. Yes, I'd love to work for your Candidate: "Hello Mr. Interviewer. Yes, I'd love to work for your company. I think your brand is great and I really believe I could company. I think your brand is great and I really believe I could make a contribution to your marketing strategy."make a contribution to your marketing strategy."

Interviewer: "So what do you think about our current Interviewer: "So what do you think about our current merchandising, compared to our competition?" merchandising, compared to our competition?"

Candidate: "Oh... Errr.... Well, I haven't had time to check it out, Candidate: "Oh... Errr.... Well, I haven't had time to check it out, really."really." Likelihood of getting the job? Low. Likelihood of getting the job? Low.

Be on TimeBe on Time

Not more than 15 minutes (or you'll be either Not more than 15 minutes (or you'll be either inconveniencing someone or sitting, waiting in inconveniencing someone or sitting, waiting in reception for a long time). Sit in the car park, if reception for a long time). Sit in the car park, if you need to!you need to!Not less than 5 minutes, or you may appear to Not less than 5 minutes, or you may appear to be late. be late.

Being late is bad manners and can make an Being late is bad manners and can make an employer think you’d be late on all deadlines. employer think you’d be late on all deadlines.

Have a Firm HandshakeHave a Firm Handshake

RESPECTRESPECT

You never know who is involved in the You never know who is involved in the recruitment process.recruitment process.

It’s common for even the receptionist to It’s common for even the receptionist to be asked their opinion of candidates.be asked their opinion of candidates.Watch your manners over lunch. The job Watch your manners over lunch. The job interview isn’t confined to the meeting interview isn’t confined to the meeting room. room.

Dont’sDont’s

Don’t ask about the salaryDon’t ask about the salary Don’t LIE Watch ClipDon’t LIE Watch Clip VIDEO CLIP

Top 10 MistakesTop 10 Mistakes

LyingLying Talking bad about your current jobTalking bad about your current job Being RudeBeing Rude ComplainingComplaining Talking about people you don’t get along withTalking about people you don’t get along with Not being preparedNot being prepared Appearing too confident or too nervousAppearing too confident or too nervous Making a weak first impressionMaking a weak first impression Not researching the companyNot researching the company Putting your foot in your mouthPutting your foot in your mouth

Dress For SuccessDress For Success

Choose an outfit that is slightly conservativeChoose an outfit that is slightly conservative For For womenwomen, the, the important considerations important considerations are are trousers or skirt trousers or skirt, ,

length of skirtlength of skirt, , comfort of shoescomfort of shoes (we all know that if our feet (we all know that if our feet hurt, it can show in our faces!) and hurt, it can show in our faces!) and plunge of necklineplunge of neckline (do you (do you really want to feel self-conscious, in case you flash more cleavage really want to feel self-conscious, in case you flash more cleavage than appropriate?). than appropriate?).

For For menmen, the , the important considerationsimportant considerations are whether to wear a are whether to wear a suit or jacket and trouserssuit or jacket and trousers..Choose darker suitsChoose darker suits, for a more authoritative air, but avoid black , for a more authoritative air, but avoid black as it can seem funereal. With ties, it's about as it can seem funereal. With ties, it's about whether to opt for a whether to opt for a formal or casual tieformal or casual tie. Yes, interviews are about allowing your . Yes, interviews are about allowing your personality to shine through, but Auntie Bettie's Christmas personality to shine through, but Auntie Bettie's Christmas reindeer tie-wearers don't always get the job... reindeer tie-wearers don't always get the job...

HygieneHygiene

Iron your clothes - properlyIron your clothes - properly - don't risk missing out shirt sleeves, hoping you won't have to - don't risk missing out shirt sleeves, hoping you won't have to take your jacket off (yes, we've all seen this one done!).take your jacket off (yes, we've all seen this one done!).

Make sure your Make sure your hair is clean and tidyhair is clean and tidy - get it cut well in advance of the job interview, so - get it cut well in advance of the job interview, so you're comfortable with the style.you're comfortable with the style.

Clean, tidy finger nails Clean, tidy finger nails - this doesn't mean a full manicure, it just means you'll feel more - this doesn't mean a full manicure, it just means you'll feel more confident shaking hands with the interviewer.confident shaking hands with the interviewer.

Polished shoesPolished shoes - many a great suit is let down by dirty shoes. - many a great suit is let down by dirty shoes.

Perfumes and deodorantsPerfumes and deodorants - it's great to smell nice, but make sure your favourite scent - it's great to smell nice, but make sure your favourite scent doesn't knock out the interviewer; many people have reactions to strong perfumes and doesn't knock out the interviewer; many people have reactions to strong perfumes and aftershaves! If in doubt, ask a trusted friend.aftershaves! If in doubt, ask a trusted friend.

Fresh breath Fresh breath - think before you eat those onions or drink too much coffee! If in doubt, take - think before you eat those onions or drink too much coffee! If in doubt, take breath mints with you.breath mints with you.

Top 10 Interview Top 10 Interview QuestionsQuestions

Why do you want to work for us?

Give us an example of a situation where you didn't meet your goals or objectives.

Give us an example of a situation where you faced conflict or difficult communication problems.

Where do you see yourself in 3 / 5/ 10 years time?

What would your current manager say are your strengths?

What would your current manager say are your weaknesses?

Why should we give you this job?

Give us an example of when you have worked to an unreasonable deadline or been faced with a huge challenge.

Do you prefer working in a team or on your own?

What is the first thing you would change, if you were to start work here?

Illegal QuestionsIllegal Questions

AgeAge Sexual OrientationSexual Orientation Childcare Childcare

ChecklistChecklist

Turn up on time - check travel details, if using public transport.Turn up on time - check travel details, if using public transport.

Turn up in the right place. If needed, double-check which of the company's offices Turn up in the right place. If needed, double-check which of the company's offices you're traveling to.you're traveling to.

If traveling by car, double-check directions.If traveling by car, double-check directions.You might like to try Multimap or the AA for a route-planner. You might like to try Multimap or the AA for a route-planner.

Look smart. You only get one chance to make a first impression and you will feel more Look smart. You only get one chance to make a first impression and you will feel more relaxed if you know you are looking your best. Make sure you know what to wear. relaxed if you know you are looking your best. Make sure you know what to wear.

Re-read your notes before the interview.Re-read your notes before the interview.

Re-read the job advert and your working notes the night before the interview. Doing it Re-read the job advert and your working notes the night before the interview. Doing it just before you go to bed helps the information sink in at a subconscious level, making it just before you go to bed helps the information sink in at a subconscious level, making it easier to remember answers the next day.easier to remember answers the next day.

Checklist Cont.Checklist Cont.

Re-read your CV / resume the morning of the interview and take a copy with you.Re-read your CV / resume the morning of the interview and take a copy with you.

Write a checklist of what to take with you and review it. Make sure you include: Write a checklist of what to take with you and review it. Make sure you include: Contact details, in case you're delayed Contact details, in case you're delayed

CV / application formCV / application form

Pen & notepaperPen & notepaper

List of questions to ask the interviewerList of questions to ask the interviewer

Mobile phone, if you have one. (Switch off during interview)Mobile phone, if you have one. (Switch off during interview)

WatchWatch

TissuesTissues

Any emergency items you'd usually carryAny emergency items you'd usually carry

Ask QuestionsAsk Questions

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Follow upFollow up

Thank you LetterThank you Letter