Don't lose jobs in the interview

22 April 2008

When you find that you aren';t being invited to as many interviews as you believed you would at first glance: you need to look at your resume. When you find you';ve been attending more interviews than you imagined anyone could in a single lifetime and yet haven';t received a single job offer: you need to reassess your manner in interviews.

It can be hard to decide how you are going to approach an interview as many employers can be unclear on what they desire. With a little planning, though, you can make a big difference to your interview chances and make the right impression. Consider these factors when planning for an interview.

What is appropriate to wear?

For men this is often invariably considered to be a suit, but certain employers may find this confronting. If you mostly intend to give the impression that you take the position seriously, then this can be a good way to go. This isn't ideal if suits make you particularly uncomfortable, however, as you will want to be as relaxed in the interview as possible. A good rule for office work is to dress slightly better than would normally be expected of you.

Women should probably stick to professional looks that they will remain comfortable and confident in. Killer heels may be impressive on a night out, but they will probably just seem impractical in an interview. Wear clothes that tend towards the formal rather than casual, and keep accessories minimalist.

What questions could you be asked?

Other than the obvious 'Tell me about yourself' style questions in almost all interviews, think about the position specific ones you may be asked. Also be prepared for the aspirational questions such as 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years?' How you answer such questions should be gauged from your interviewer: if you will be working directly under them and their position is the only way up, you may want to qualify any ambitious sounding responses.

What kind of worker are you?

This is important for companies that have a number of people interested in who will fill your prospective position. You may find yourself in an interview situation where there are several interviewers, all with apparently different requirements of a worker. It is here that you will find self-knowledge to be most important as you will need to have a sure idea of yourself in order to avoid trying to please everyone. Be truthful about how you work and you will increase your chances of ending up only in the jobs you enjoy.


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