In part 1 of the 10 key reasons a job interview could go wrong, we looked at interview advice on how a lack of preparation, dressing poorly and turning up late for an interview could all have a very negative on your chances of interview success.
In this 2nd and final part, we look at a further 5 pieces of interview advice that you should take on board to increase your chances of clinching that next big job.
At the foot of the blog you will also find the 2nd part of the video, 'Killer Interview Preparation Tips', 'which will help you ensure that you don't make the same mistakes other candidates make in interviews.
Listen carefully to the question, there will be a specific example of a'skill or experience that the interviewer will be trying to draw out. Sometimes nerves can take over and you will begin to waffle about everything apart from what the interviewer is actually asking.
As I mention in part 1 the key here is in the preparation. Although you don't want to sound too rehearsed, by'practising'the answers to typical interview questions, you will be able to try and eliminate the waffle and answer the question with real substance.
Remember, from the moment you arrive to when you leave, you need to be fully aware that you are there to impress and to sell yourself.
So, don't sit in reception with your legs stretched out, hands clasped behind your head with a chilled out demeanour. Greet the interviewer with a firm (but not iron grip) handshake, and certainly not a limp handshake which might suggest a weak character. Smile and make eye contact. Remember that those first few seconds are a great opportunity to create a great impression.
When you are in the interview, avoid the classic negative body language traits; don't cross your arms as this can be interpreted as defensive and try to sit forward and make direct eye contact to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position.
If you can subtly imitate your interviewer's positive body language this will certainly build up a rapport, but try not to make it too obvious or they may just find you a tad weird!
One of the classic mistakes we often see in interviews is when candidates believe it's a sign of arrogance to give examples of where they have excelled in a position. I'm not sure whether it's a British trait that perhaps we feel too reserved to boast about our achievements. It certainly isn't the case over in America where candidates are much more confident about self-promotion.
But, there is obviously a fine balance between arrogance and confidence. For example, in an interview, you could say, 'I have a reputation for delivering an excellent ROI on marketing projects', rather than, 'I am the best marketing person in my company'.
Make sure you add some substance when reflecting on your strengths, and it is always wise to reflect on some of the projects you delivered and the facts and figures behind those projects.
You've got to the end of the interview and the interviewer will typically ask you, 'Do you have any questions for me'. By answering no, you will look disinterested and unenthusiastic about the position you have applied for, and you will have blown all the good work from the previous 55 minutes.
I mentioned in part 1 about ensuring you have done your research for the interview and from this research you should be able to put together 2-3 questions ready for this very situation.
So, what do you really want to know? Avoid just chucking in a few token questions about holidays, perks or job progression.
I always find that this is a great time to ask if the interviewer has any doubts about my fit within the organisation or if they feel there are gaps on my CV that haven't been addressed.
You could ask, 'I'm very interested in this role and I think I'd be successful here, do you feel that I would be a good fit?' Or you could ask them, 'What do you particularly enjoy about working here?'' This will demonstrate enthusiasm and gives the interviewer the opportunity to sell the company to you.
Other great questions include, 'If I was to be successful, what is likely to happen in my first week?' Or, 'is support available for people who want to gain extra skills?'
We have all probably done it in the past. You finish your interview and then you wait for the phone to ring to see whether you were successful.
But if you actually followed up the interview with a short email thanking the interviewer for their time, you will put yourself ahead of the 90% of people who don't bother to do so.
Keep the email short, thanking them for their time and reiterate how impressed you were with their business giving a short synopsis on why you believe you would be the perfect fit for their organisation.
Finish the email by informing them that if they have any questions that shouldn't hesitate to contact you.
Remember, every opportunity you have to set yourself apart from the other applicants in the process is worth taking. With all that time you have spent on your CV and interview preparation, what's another couple of minutes firing off a thank you email?
And if all else fails and you have waited weeks for an answer, don't be afraid to pick up the phone to determine what the deadline is for an answer on the role.
I hope you found a few of these tips useful. Remember that you have done extremely well getting an interview in the first place, and if you follow this guide, you should be able to set yourself apart from the other candidates in the process.
If you have an interview coming up and you would like some advice on the right way to prepare, take a look at our'great video below.' Join Charles and Mark as they take you through the 2nd part of'Killer Interview Preparation Tips.
http://youtu.be/ez3SGR556Vk
Thanks for reading and should you require any further help recruiting for your business, please'don't hesitate to get in touch with me'here, or you can join the LinkedIn Response Knowledge Network'here.
Otherwise feel free to get in touch with me personally, via'Twitter'or'LinkedIn'using the links below.
