Securing the perfect job...

As a recruiter, I come across an alarming number of candidates who look great on paper but for whatever reason are just not able to get themselves over the finish line and secure the job they are so desperately after. By this, I am referring to the number of candidates who have clearly spent hours upon hours finely tailoring their CV's in order to secure interviews but when it comes to the crunch, can't quite deliver the face to face sales pitch required in order to blow away the competition. Over the next few paragraphs I will share with you my tips and tricks in order to help you get through the dreaded interrogation stage.

Step 1 - References

The first step of interviewing should actually take place way before you even step anywhere near the offices of a potential employer. All too often, candidates will rely solely on their charm and character in order to impress hiring managers when in reality, what they should really be doing is using their network of current and former colleagues in order to give them an edge over the competition. Studies have shown, that by getting a former employee or senior colleague to give you a glowing reference, candidates can increase their chance of securing a job by up to 60%. It can be daunting speaking to others in order to get their opinion of you but just remember, bosses are only human and if you have done a good job, then you have nothing to be scared of.

Step 2 - What to wear

This is again another step that should be taken care of well in advance of meeting with potential employers but is the step that can be the most tricky to navigate. It is common knowledge that different cultures will have different takes on what is acceptable to wear in an interview so I can only give you a very general idea of what threads to don. As a general rule, muted colours are key. For men, a well fitted suit is a vital piece of kit when looking to impress. Colours of suit should be limited to one of three colours, blue, black or dark grey. This may sound slightly boring but unfortunately an interview is not a fashion contest. With regards to a shirt I would always suggest a well pressed white shirt with a collar that you can button up to the top. This should be accompanied by a well fastened neck tie that consists of no more then 2 subtle colours. For women it is naturally very hard for me to comment. From a professional point of view I would say that again muted colours work best, quite often, black is best. Skirts should be kept to a length that would appropriate for the office and tops should not display too much cleavage. Sorry guys!!

Step 3 - Preparing notes

Candidates who fail to prepare notes for interviews is the pet hate of recruiters all over the world. A well prepared set of notes can sometimes be the small detail that separates the top candidates from the rest of the pack. From my own personal experience of interviews I found the most successful method was to try to predict what questions would come up in an interview and type up bullet point answers that I could refer to. I would make these notes large enough to read at a glance and would then put them into plastic wallet book in order to make them look professional. Its a small touch but as previously mentioned, it could make the difference. They can also be a life saver if you get stuck for what to say. It also goes without saying that you should have a copy of your CV with you to refer to.

Step 4 - Arriving for your interview

I am often asked the question, "How early should I get there?". There is a simple answer to this question. 15 minutes. No more, no less!! If you stick to this rule you will display that you are keen and have good time keeping skills whilst at the same time not seeming desperate for new employment.

Step 5 - In the interview

This is by the far the most important step of the process. This is the point where it all comes together and is your chance to really wow the person making the decisions. This step so can be quite lengthy so I have broken it down for you into digestible chunks.

Step 5 part A - The greeting

Have you ever heard the expression, "First impressions are everything"? This could not be more true. Statistically, peoples lasting impressions of you will be the ones you make when you first meet them so it is vital to get this right. No matter what the situation you should always make the effort to stand to greet your interviewer. By standing, it psychologically puts you on an even playing field and will also boost your own confidence. Eye contact is vital and you should always extend your hand without being promoted to deliver a firm handshake to everyone you are introduced to. Your choice of words at this point is important but you can't really go far wrong with "Good morning, I'm..........Pleasure to meet you." I would suggest practising the greeting in the mirror as you will be surprised as to how many people crumble at the first hurdle.

Step 5 part B - Taking a seat

In most interviews, your interviewer will invite you to take a seat. As a rule of thumb, you should always wait for the invite to be offered before sitting down. If the interviewer has asked you to sit down but not directed you to a seat, do not be afraid to ask which chair you should take. This will show that you are thoughtful and polite. With regards to posture, try to keep your back straight and your head up and keep your hands on your thighs. Interviewers will often ask you if you would like a cup of water, I would strongly suggest that you take them up on this offer. There will nothing worse then getting a dry throat during the interview and not having a drink on hand to refresh. Trust me, I have been there!!

Step 5 part C - Talking

So this is it! You are now at the stage where you really have to present yourself. This is where 99% of candidates will fall away and the reason is quite often that they will panic. It is vital at this stage that you remain calm and composed at all times. The key to doing this is listening closely to what the interviewer is asking and taking a second or two before you being speaking. Try to make sure that you have fully digested what the interview is asking and that you understand the question. That way you are less likely to ramble. Also remember that should have your notes with you from step 3 that you can refer to should you get stuck. Any good interviewer will not judge you for using your notes once or twice, it will become an issue however if you gleam all your answers directly from them!!

Eye contact again is key at this stage. It can be intimidating looking a person constantly in the eyes for an extended period of time so the best advice that I can give you is to try to focus your stare at the top of your interviewers nose. That way it will give the illusion of eye contact but at the same time will remove some of the awkwardness.

With regards to the speed of your voice, try to focus on what you are saying and concentrate on speaking at a regular pace. All too often candidates will be nervous and will talk at an accelerated rate often missing out vital pieces of information. If you focus on your speed it will give your brain time to prepare the information that you want to relay.

Step 5 part D - Questions

Having pre-prepared questions to ask at your interview is a must but is all too often over looked. One of the biggest barriers that I have to overcome almost on a daily basis is getting candidates to believe that it is OK for them to ask interview questions...during an interview. As a general rule, I would advise any candidate to have three well planned questions that they can ask at the end of the interview, these should be either related to the job itself or the company. Examples that I would give would be "What training can I receive in this role?" "What are the companies goals for the next year?" and "How do you find it working for this company?" By asking questions it will give the impression that you have a genuine interest in the company.

Step 5 part E - Leaving the interview

This is probably the most simple part of the interview. After you have finished asking your questions you should always wait for the interviewer to conclude the interview. At this point, you should take your queue from interview, stand up when appropriate and shake their hand. Always remember to finish with a polite remark such as "Thank you for your time today" or "It was a pleasure to meet you".

Hopefully the above has given you some ideas and things to take on board the next time you are interviewing. It is not gospel however and you may feel that certain things may need tweaking depending on the situation, which is absolutely fine!! Always remember that potential employers will be reviewing your character and attitude just as much as your technical ability so feel free to do what works best for you.

Good luck!!