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So you’ve been through the initial process of submitting your CV and maybe having had an initial chat with the recruitment agency and you have been put forward to your prospective employer for an initial chat.

So what are the important things you should do to make that all-important first impression?

• Research the business you are having the interview with and get as much detail about the person who will be interviewing you.  Have some well-chosen questions ready to ask about the business you could be working with, after all people love to tell you about the business they work for and the job they do.

• Make sure you arrive on time, as a general guideline it is good to arrive on site at least 10 minutes before your scheduled meeting.  If for any reason something should cause you to be delayed do make sure you ring your prospective employer and explain why you have been delayed and make sure it’s a genuine reason and not the fact that you got up late!

• When you arrive at the premises make sure you clearly introduce yourself to the receptionist and clearly announce yourself and who you are there to see.  Remember there may be a chance that the receptionist might have some input into the process so make sure your good impression starts before you enter the building!  Remember to be polite and even if you are feeling somewhat nervous try to remember to smile.

• Shake hands with the interviewer and again remember to smile, in the room where you are interviewed sit in a relaxed and comfortable pose but don’t slouch and position yourself where you can maintain good eye contact with the interviewer.  Speak slowly and in clear tones and take your time to answer questions as fully as you can.  If you don’t clearly understand the questions then seek clarification from the interviewer, better to answer the right question than to guess and get it wrong.

• Have all your documents and paperwork organized into a folder, which is easily accessible, either for you to refer to or to hand to your prospective employer.  Use any notes or prepared questions you may have, as it will help illustrate your interest in the job you are there for.

• At the end of the interview again, shake the interviewers hand and thank them for their time and maybe mentioned that fact that you look forward to seeing them again soon.

In the current employment climate the employer has a fairly wide choice of candidates and a whole lot of factors will be considered. Yes it is important that you have the core skills to do the job byt equally as important is how you will fit with other members of their team and the ethos and culture of the business.

The watchword of the current market is to be prepared, especially before you go to the meeting.  The way you present yourself in an interview will go along way to helping the prospective employer to make their mind up.  Being well turned out, polite, assured and articulate will all be “soft” factors that may well turn the job offer in your favour.

Posted on: Monday, 27th June 2011
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