During the job interview

So you make it to interview. The climax of your job search. What goes on inside those four walls during the job interview is going to determine your career direction from here.

At this point the employer’s screening process has reduced the field down to just a few candidates. One of you will be “the one”, and the interview will help them make that decision.

But there is just one problem. Whether the interview is the traditional one to one discussion or a full on assortment of testing, singing and dancing, none of these methods is the same as an actual day on the job. Unless you are going for a job role in which you will be meeting strangers and answering questions about yourself all day (it could happen!) the interview is really an attempt to make a decision about your ability to do one thing, based on another thing entirely! So the interview is an imperfect process. At best it will capture relevant criteria as an indicator of performance. An indicator, not an absolute.

These criteria are the core questions of the interview; these are the questions the interview process is designed to answer.

Can you do the job?

Obviously if you are not actually able to perform the role it’s a non starter. However this is largely what the screening process is for. That’s why all that effort you put into producing a targeted CV was worthwhile. If you make it to interview its generally because they believe you can do the job. During the job interview they may explore this in more depth, but you wouldn’t be there if they did not feel confident about your abilities. So your task here is simple; impress them further and ease any concerns they may have about potential “gaps” in your CV.

Will you do the job? Will you fit into the organisation?

Now we are getting down to it. See they might know you can do the job from your resume. But people don’t hire pieces of paper; they hire people. One of the main purposes of the interview is to see if you are the kind of person they are looking for. Or if you are actually the type of person they would like to add to their team. After all no one likes to hire a problem (though judging by the ever increasing size of HR departments and the seemingly never-ending personnel issues, I think we can safely say they are slipping through the net!)

Anyone can write about how great they are, to talk the talk, but during the job interview they will be trying to judge whether you are the type who walks the walk. This isn’t just about your answers to interview questions, but also the intangibles that give away who you are. Your character and personality are just as important as your ability in determining your performance and eventual outcomes. During the job interview show them you have what it takes.

Read this article on interview analysis to find out how they really judge you.

Things to get right during the job interview

I am going to take your basic interview preparation as a given. That is your foundation. However to truly impress during the job interview there are other factors that need to come together. I think of the effective job interview as the perfect storm of conditions. The following are the steps it takes to create this. Learn about what it takes to pull it off. Then make it happen.

1)How you handle yourself matters. You need to know the rules of engagement. Learn about interview etiquette. What exactly do they want from you anyway? Learn the real meaning behind interview questions. Whoever said image is nothing probably never had too many successful interviews. The way you present yourself is hugely important to the outcome.

Click here to learn about interview presentation. People hire people they like. You will need to develop a rapport with your interviewer. First impressions last. Learn how to make a good one.

You should have your own questions to ask if you’re serious about the position. However there is a knack to getting it right.

Avoid the job interview mistakes that could damage your hopes of interview success.

Appreciate that there is a time, a place, and a way to talk benefits and salary. Follow the simple guidelines to what to wear for interview. Express your

confidence to the employer and build their confidence in you.

Carry yourself like a winner and you are more likely to be seen as one. The right body language will help you along.

There is an art to

ending the interview. Know how to wrap up your performance.

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