How to prepare for a job interview
If you are invited for a job interview as
part of a recruitment procedure, it means
that you have passed the first hurdle and
been selected on the first screening. It should
increase your self-confidence. We offer here
some advice, useful not only for a job interview,
but for most one-to-one meetings.
Arrive in time, better a few minutes early,
than late.
Be neat and tidy, wear well-fitting clothes,
appropriate to the job you apply for, not
too casual or too showy.
Be careful about your breath and don't arrive
in a sweat.
Do not offer your hand first, that is up
to the employer, but if he or she offers to
shake hands respond with a firm (but not vice-like!)
grip.
Take a seat when you are asked to: if they
let you stand, ask if you can sit down (they
may be testing you out for shyness).
Try to relax as much as possible.
Behave in an appropriately self-confident,
not overconfident manner. Do not avoid anybody's
gaze: your answers should not be whispered
or mumbled, and, when appropriate, smile.
Speak to the point, don't try to be too witty
or jovial, but being too reserved can also
be a mistake.
If you get a difficult question, take your
time to answer. Ask for clarification if you
don't immediately understand it. In reply,
speak slowly, possibly repeating a word or
two to gain time. Sometimes it is better to
say "I don't know" than to waffle. Sometimes
it is possible to sidestep the question without
appearing shifty, or to use (appropriate)
humour to lighten the atmosphere and give
yourself time to answer. Be aware that the
employer is not out to put you down.
The next screen shows examples of questions
frequently asked during job interviews. Print
them out and prepare your answers at home.
This preparation may pay off later.
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