This morning I woke up early, got dressed, and made my way into the city. Phone and Myki (travel) card in one hand, neatly folded resume in the other, I walked, trammed and walked again until I reached my final destination. It was interview time.
Usually I'd be seriously nervous about a job interview, but since settling down in Melbourne and beginning the job search process I'd been eager to find a job and so the excitement of possible employment outweighed any nerves I may have otherwise had. And that's actually an important thing to remember when going to a job interview - be excited! You want the job, and they want an employee who is excited to be there!
Anyway, I spent a bit of time reading up on tips in preparation for todays interview as well as using some of my own advice, and thought it would be a great idea to share some of this knowledge with you lovely people! So I've put together a list of 6 helpful tips for a job interview - I hope you enjoy this post and learn something that could be of use to you!
1. Do Your Research. It's always a good idea to do a bit of detective work when preparing for a job interview. The company wants an employee that cares - even for small, seemingly unimportant positions. The fact is, if you haven't done your research it shows that you're not that interested in the position, and theres probably more than a dozen similar employees that have done their research. A few minutes finding out who's interviewing you, what they're all about, and what the position requires could be the difference between getting the job and having your resume thrown in the trash.
2. Review Your Resume. I think a lot of people fall into this trap. You've sent/handed in your CV and Resume, you've scored the interview, and you think that's that. Only to arrive at the interview and be questioned on specific aspects of your resume that you may or may not be able to recall in detail. That job you listed from 2 years ago? They might want to know the managers name, duration of employment, etc. If you stutter or stumble, you can look unorganised and trust me, that can be a deal breaker. So always go over your resume and be ready to be questioned on it!
3. Show Up On Time. And by on time, I mean early. About 5-15 minutes prior to your interview minimum gives you time to make sure you've got the right place, alert the interviewer of your arrival, hand in your resume, and fill out any forms if necessary. Not to mention, you'll already have made a good impression before your interview has even begun!
4. Be Presentable. The amount of effort you put into your presentation shows a lot about you and your dedication to work. Showing up in daggy, creased, dirty, or casual clothing shows an utter lack of interest in the job and is really quite disrespectful to the person who has taken the time to have you in for an interview. Your clothing should be neat, clean, tidy and smart (obviously dress with your chosen industry in mind). For those with longer hair, have it tied back. Don't go overboard with makeup, and make sure there's no B.O going on!
5. Listen and Be Courteous. During your interview, smile, pay attention to what the interviewer is saying, and be polite. You're there to get a job, so you should be listening to what the interviewer has to say about said job and not looking around, fidgeting, zoning out and looking bored. It seems obvious, but you wouldn't believe how many times I have seen people do this in interviews. I'm not even sure if they're aware of it, but trust me, the interviewer certainly notices.
6. Don't Stress. Really, there's no need! If this is the job for you, you'll get it. If it's not? Well, when one door closes, another one opens. Just be positive and relaxed, the interviewer will pick up on your good vibes and remember you for it. You've got this!
Did you find these tips useful? What are your top tips for a job interview?
xx Chontelle Louise
