Before the interview
- Find out as much as you can about the job beforehand. Ask the job centre or employment agency for as much information as possible.
- Jot down your qualifications and experience and think about how they relate to the job. Why should the employer employ you and not somebody else?
- Choose your interview clothing with care; no one is going to employ you if you look as though you’ve wandered out of a disco. Whether you like it or not, appearance counts.
- Make sure you know where the interview office is and how to get there. Be on time, or better, a few minutes early.
- Bring a pen; you will probably be asked to fill in an application form. Answer all the questions as best as you can. And write neatly. The interviewer will be looking at the application during the interview; he or she must be able to read it.
- Have a light meal to eat, and go to the toilet. If you don’t, you may well be thinking about your inside during the interview.
- DON’T ever walk into the interview chewing gum or sucking on a sweet.
- DON’T forget to bring with you any school certificates, samples of your work or letters of recommendation from your teachers or anyone else you might have worked part-time for.
During the interview
- The interview is designed to find out more about you and to see if you are suitable for the job. The interviewer will do this by asking you questions. The way you answer will show what kind of person you are and if your education, skills and experience match what they’re looking for.
- Make a real effort to answer every question the interviewer asks. Be clear and concise. Never answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ or shrug.
- Admit it if you do not know something about the more technical aspects of the job. Stress that you are willing to learn.
- Show some enthusiasm when the job is explained to you. Concentrate on what the interviewer is saying, and if he or she asks you if you have any questions, have at least one ready to show that you’re interested and have done your homework.
- Sell yourself. This doesn’t mean exaggerating (you’ll just get caught out) or making your experience or interests seem unimportant.
- Ask questions at the close of the interview. For instance, about the pay, hours, holidays, or if there is a training programme.
- DON’T forget to shake hands with the interviewer.
- DON’T sit down until you are invited to.
- DON’T give the interviewer a hard time by giggling, yawning, rambling on unnecessarily or appearing cocky or argumentative.
- DON’T ever stress poor aspects of yourself, like your problem of getting up in the morning. Always show your best side: especially your keenness to work and your sense of responsibility.
After the interview
- At the end of the interview, thank your interviewer. Calling or sending a letter or e-mail to say thank you can also help to remind the employer of your enthusiasm (a thank-you letter).
- Think about how you presented yourself: could you have done better? If so, and if you do not get the job, you can be better prepared when you are next called for an interview.
Source: Jones, Leo: New Progress to First Certificate, Cambridge University Press, 1997
