It goes without saying that you should thoroughly prepare yourself for any interviews. A good way to prepare is to analyze your strengths and weaknesses in an honest and frank way. Before your interview you should also think about any possible questions you may be asked and prepare your answers accordingly. During this process you should also do as much research as possible on your potential future employer such as what products they offer and who your colleagues will be. By doing this you should avoid any nasty surprises.
Tip 2 - Choose the right clothing
When choosing what outfit to wear to an interview it is worth bearing the following points in mind:
• Does your choice of clothing fit in with the company’s image?
• Remember it is always better to be over dressed then under dressed.
• Ensure that your clothing fits well on you.
• Go for a polished look from hair to shoes and nails to shirt.
• Accessories and perfume; personalize your look but don’t go over the top.
All this points combined will determine what kind of impression you leave behind in your interview.
Tip 3 - A convincing interview
Your interview is your chance to convince the employer that you are the exact person for the job. The STAR model is often used by companies to assess the competencies of potential candidates. The STAR model looks as follows;
• Situation - What happened in a specific situation
• Task - What did you have to achieve and what were your responsibilities
• Action - What did you do, was it a success and what could you have done differently
• Result - What was the outcome of your actions and what did you achieve
You can use this model to fit several different competencies. Look at the job role and chose 3 or 4 competencies. Then think of situations you have found yourself in recently where you have demonstrated these competencies. By using this model in your interview you will find in much easier to come across in a convincing manner.
Tip 4 - Writing the right cover letter
If you have found the right job vacancy you will need to write a cover letter when applying to the business. There are two main points you will be trying to get across in this letter;
• Motivation; inform them why you feel you are the best candidate for the job
• Experience; a brief explanation of your CV
The important thing is that you get across the message of why you are the best candidate In order to sell yourself effectively in this brief and to stand out better in the crowd, you can use the following model;
AIDA model
• Attention (awareness) - Ensure that you begin with a concise and considered opening which is original and attracts the attention of the reader.
• Interest - List your unique selling points to draw the reader in.
• Desire - Make the reader want to meet you. Change to style from ‘I have these skills’ to ‘you get the benefit of my skills’.
• Action - Use you final line to lead the reader into taking action.
By closing your letter effectively you will create your desired action, an invitation to an interview.
Click here for examples of cover letters
Tip 5 - Customize your CV
During the application process you will nearly always need to make use of your CV. Make sure that when you are applying for a job you are paying attention to what type of company you are soliciting and what role you looking for. Not all information on your CV will be relevant to some companies, and others will be much more important.
It is vital therefore that you adjust your CV to highlight the information, experiences and skills you have to make them as relevant as possible to your potential employer.
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