The first 5 minutes of the interview are critical to your success. There are three main rules to remember:

1. Sell yourself.
2. Sell your skills.
3. Sell your potential.

The first rule is the most important, not only is selling yourself more important than selling your skills or potential but you must sell it first. This is why a positive and enthusiastic impression must be made in the first 5 minutes.

Points to Consider:

1. Find out about the company, its policies, products and financial standing. Understand the details of the position for which you are being interviewed.
2. Get a contact name and telephone number and also check the route and journey time.
3. Decide what you are going to wear several days in advance - this allows plenty of time for pressing, polishing etc. Dress should be smart and 'conform'.
4. Be familiar with what you have written on your application form/CV - take a copy with you.
5. Arrive at the company location in good time and report to the interview at least 10 minutes before the appointment. If you have any delay, telephone the company and advise them.
6. It is essential that you are courteous and professional from the moment you arrive. Check with the receptionist over the correct pronunciation of the interviewer's name and status.
7. Entrance into the interview must create the right impression-head up, straight back, smiling face and exuding energy. Appear interesting. Look the interviewer in the eye and shake hands firmly.
8. Once seated, sit straight, maintain eye contact and never fidget.
9. If the interview is going well, do not allow your body to relax too much - remain alert and interested in everything that is said.
   
10. Be positive. For the purposes of the interview, this is the only job you want. Vague expressions of interest are pointless.
11. Respond continually to points being made. Present all answers clearly and thoughtfully. Avoid digressing. Do not talk too much.
12. Keep your poise at all times.
13. You are there because of your application/CV. Your achievements should relate to your future plans.
14. Never run down or make snide comments about your present/previous employers/colleagues.
15. Avoid arguments over detail and never be offensive. Be firm and persuasive but never lose your temper.
16. Make suggestions as to how the work could be tackled but do not be dictatorial.
17. Obtain a good understanding of what the job entails before discussing salary.
18. If it has not already been made clear by the end of the interview, ask if there is anything lacking in your knowledge/experience which could be a problem.
19. Interview questions fall into four main categories. Be prepared to give answers about the following:
    • Work experience
    • Education
    • Family and home life
    • Current activities, interests and hobbies
20. Main reasons why people fail interviews are:
    • Unsuitable appearance by way of clothing/grooming
    • Inability to express views clearly
    • Failure to project self objectively
    • Incompetence in projecting self confidence/enthusiasm
    • Over criticism of former employers/colleagues
    • Too much evidence of job-hopping

POST INTERVIEW

If after attending an interview, you are really interested in the position - write a short note.

You receive a rejection letter from a company which was of real interest - write a short letter expressing your disappointment at not being offered the position but state that should a similar position arise in the future, you would be most interested in being re-considered.