No matter how competent at your job you are, sometimes being bad at the interview process can really hinder your career. To help you out, Esquire spoke to Isabelle Ratinaud, Marketing Director at careers resource Monster.co.uk, to ask for some surefire tips on how to ace a job interview. Enjoy.
***
Prepare
Research people who have worked there, products the company has in the marketplace and any press coverage. Google the executives. Find out where they’ve come from, how long they have been in their position and what makes them tick.
Practice
Go through expected question, like, “Why should we employ you?” and “What are your weaknesses?” Do not say you don’t have any weaknesses. Pick real, non-disastrous ones and show how you are making progress. Prepare for other challenging questions about your expertise and how you handle conflict and other issues.
Look Good
You’d be amazed by the number of people who forget to iron their shirts. If you have to err on the side of caution, be conservative, even if it’s a media or ad company.
Body Language
Shake hands correctly (firm and assertive), stand confidently and don’t avoid eye-contact. Be calm and confident but not arrogant.
Ask Questions
An interview is a two-way conversation that you ought to enjoy and approach with a postive frame of mind. Assess the firm fully to ensure it is the right job opportunity for you. This is important in the current climate of caustious optimism where both the employer and the interviewee should be selective.
…And Remember
There will be a lot of very qualified candidates, so make sure you stand out with demeanour, personality and research. Start strongly and end on an upbeat note. People remember the first and last five minutes more than the middle
