Interview Tips by The
CV Centre, the UK's leading CV consultancy.
If you've been selected for an interview then you have clearly impressed
your prospective employer - your next challenge is to maintain their positive
perception of you when they get to meet up in person. A good interviewer
is carefully trained to make an informed assessment of a candidate based
not only on what they say but also on how they present themselves. And
body language may prove to be a key factor in their decision-making process.
It is therefore essential to come across as confident, enthusiastic and
capable of rising to the challenge, even if you really feel anxious and
nervous and would rather be somewhere else!
Positive Actions
There are a variety of positive actions which can be used successfully
in interview situations and these include:
Firm, Friendly Handshake - not too hard as this implies arrogance and
not too limp because it suggests weakness
Eye Contact - this is essential when trying to convey trust and
confidence but should not be overdone as this can create an uncomfortable
atmosphere and suggest over familiarity
Keep Your Chin Up (literally and metaphorically!) - smile with
open lips and tilt your head slightly to show that you are attentive
Palms Visible - this indicates openness and sincerity
Touching Fingertips Together - this conveys a sense of authority
Negative Actions
Here are some obvious - and some not so obvious - examples of negative
traits and how your body language can give them away:
Defensiveness - crossing your arms
Nervousness - locked ankles, fidgeting, playing with hair, biting
nails
Doubt - rubbing eyes or nose
Arrogance/Over Confidence - brisk and erect walk, hands clasped
behind head
Boredom - feet tapping, looking down, slouching, head resting
in hands
Aggression - hands on hips and pointing with the index finger
Top Tips
Try turning the tables on the interviewer and assessing their own body
language - perhaps even try imitating them to strengthen any possible
connection between you. However, try not to copy negative body language
and remember to be subtle about it! If the interviewer thinks that you
are on their wavelength, they are likely to immediately become better
disposed towards you. Also, their body language can give you a clear indication
of what the interviewer thinks of what you are saying - if they are displaying
signs of boredom, you should try to direct the subject away from your
current line of thinking.
First impressions are vitally important and this applies not only to your
body language but also to the way that you are dressed, etc. Interviewers
can make decisions very quickly so make sure that you walk into that room
as if you really want the job.
An interviewer is much more likely to look favourably on a candidate with
whom they feel they have developed a rapport, so try to be friendly without
being over-familiar. It is a fine line.
Further Help
We can offer no better recommendation than to get hold of a copy of the
book "Great Answers To Tough Interview Questions" which, despite its title,
actually covers every single aspect of the job-hunting process. It’s
the best book on the subject, is sponsored by The CV Centre, and is available
from them for just £12.50. Of course, to get to the interview stage
you do need an outstanding CV and there really is no substitute for taking
advantage of in-depth professional experience. The CV Centre is the UK's
leading CV consultancy; their CVs are carefully crafted to have the strongest
possible appeal to potential employers, rather than being just an uninspiring
typed summary of an individual's basic information. Their team of consultants
also has a broad range of previous experience within recruitment and personnel
management, which enables them to produce CVs of the highest standards.
Find out how The
CV Centre's professional CV writing services can help to maximise
your chances of getting the job you deserve.
