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Preparing for an Interview

It goes without saying that the interviewers first impression of you is very

important. Whether you like it or not, many decisions are based on first reactionswhen you meet someone.

Its important to dress appropriately for your interview:

What to wear (Women) Wear a conservative suit or dress and pay attention to colour coordination

If you want to wear a skirt with your jacket make sure its not too short justbelow the knee is correct

Steer clear of anything revealing that shows too much flesh.

e subtle with your make!up and ensure it complements your face

"arring that are too long and dangly are irritating choose small ones.

#ont wear bangles that jangle and may distract the interviewer

Wear comfortable shoes that are formal and conservative the more they cover

your feet the better. $ake sure your shoes are clean and%or polished.

&eep your hair our of your face and ensure that it is neat #ont wear too much fragrance

What to wear (Men) Wear a black, dark!blue, or dark!grey suit, a tie and a white or blue long

sleeved shirt

White socks are '(). )he colour of your socks must match your pants

*our tie must be properly knotted and remember, a stiff collar always looksneater than the soft button down kind

Steer clear of ties with cartoon characters. )he smaller the detail on your tie the

more professional

"nsure your shoes are polished and never wear brown, cream or suede shoes

with a business suit.

How to prepare +ositive thinking will boost your self!confidence

"nsure youre well prepared

$ake sure you make eye contact with the interviewer in the case of a panelinterview, make eye contact with everyone dont focus on one person and

ignore the others-

e prepared for the type of uestions that may crop up and practise yourresponses beforehand in front of the mirror

If you believe in yourself so will others

Donts #ont be late. +eople couldnt care less if you have transport problems

+eople arent all jokers so avoid cracking jokes and dont use slang or swear

words

/ose the chewing gum and be aware of what you do with your hands dont

fiddle, it will make you appear uncertain

)ell the interviewer if you dont know the answer to a uestion. It immediatelyshows youre honest

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#ont look down0 it will make you look shy and inadeuate. It could also create

the impression that youve lost interest

#ont speak without thinking first

#ont interrupt the interviewer when you think you know what theyre going toask.Wait for the full uestion, and maybe follow up uestions, DO O!

I!"##$P! !H" I!"#%I"W"#

#ont 1abble take deep breaths before, during and after entering the interviewroom. +ace your words in reply, take your time to consider your answer rather

than rushing into your answer.

#ont go into detail about something personal that could be to your disadvantageat work

#ont flood the interviewer with information when they say 2)ell me about

yourself3. +repare a statement which is relevant to the particular vacancystarting with the present company and giving brief summaries of any

achievements-.

Dos e yourself during an interview natural, open and willing to provide information

4nnounce yourself confidently at reception and be friendly

4 pleasant facial e5pression is important0 smile and make eye contact with the

interviewer, shake hands

$aintain eye contact throughout the interview

Wait for the person to invite you to sit down. Walk steadily to your place and taketime to sit down. #ont race or rush- e natural and sit straight in the chair

dont slouch- )hen look up, clearly waiting to be spoken to.

*our face reflects how you feel0 dont sit there e5pressionless

&now your 67 backwards so that you dont contradict yourself

"nsure your hands are visible. +ut them on your lap or if youre at a desk placethem on the desk. If interviewers cant see your hands they might unconsciously

wonder what you are hiding

/isten carefully make sure youre answering the uestion thats been asked.

Stick to providing what has been reuested 4sk uestions about the duties and responsibilities relating to the job

8efer to previous relevant e5perience and e5plain why youre confident you can

do the job

"nd the interview with a smile and shake the interviewers hand before leaving

&riteria 'uestions:

2It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.3

+repare in advance some e5amples, which show that you are the right person for the

job. /ikely criteria are9

Initiative Stress tolerance

4daptability

/eadership +roblem 4nalysis

Interpersonal skills

)eam attitude

8eliability

+ersuasiveness

Innovation

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#elegation

#iligence

Systematic

nowing how to handle uestions:

4nswering a uestion with a uestion :a genius is someone who shoots at a target

no one elsesees and hits it- )his is a useful techniue for uestions that dont have the right

answer.

4nswering a uestion with a statement. :elieve in yourself and you will alwaysprevail.- #ont answer uestions that show you in bad light.

4sking for the answer )he interviewer may not always be right, but the intervieweris always the interviewer.-

"*ample:

': #o you think you have the right e5perience for this position;

+: +erhaps you can tell me a bit more about e5actly what you are looking for. #o

you need someone who has speciali