How to Succeed at Job Interviews
By Ricardo Leal
Most people get anxious in the face of a
job interview, and usually spend the previous
night tossing from side to side picturing
the worst possible scenarios imaginable. It
is human nature to have a psychological reaction
to being interrogated, and our body reacts
accordingly making us nervous, uncomfortable
and sometimes nauseous.
Some people however, relish in the
opportunity to express their ambitions
and flaunt their expertise. These people
either understand the dynamics of the
interview process, or they have a natural
talent for communicating and expressing
their ideas. Those with natural talent
will always do well, but the ones who
understand the dynamics will always do
better. If you are lucky enough to have
both then you will never have a problem
getting the job you deserve.
For the majority of people who do get
nervous prior to the big day, I have a
few pointers that will make your interview
go smoothly and increase your chances
of getting the job. This applies to all
industries and all professions! From Waiter
to Executive- the principles of human
interaction are the same.
Let’s dissect the Interview Process.
There are normally two players, the Interviewer
and the Candidate. One wants to give work,
the other wants to work. Already we can
see that the goals of both parties are
the same. So let’s look at some basic
tips to get you going, but first, remember
that the interviewer wants to find someone
as quickly as you want to find a job!
1. Prepare! Do your research! Know the
company, know the interviewer, and know
your stuff! If you don’t do this, don’t
go!
2. Visualise the day. Getting up feeling
great, getting dressed looking good! Nailing
the interview, and coming home victorious.
3. Train your mind! Pinch yourself hard
every time you get a negative thought
and immediately replace it with an empowering
one. Ex. "I’m never going to get this
job" pinch hard "I AM going to get this
job because I am prepared and the best
person for it"
4. Do not drink coffee, alcohol etc the
day and night before the interview.
5. Prepare your clothes NOW! Be sure
to wear appropriate clothes, and be sure
you feel comfortable! Take off excess
jewellery! Guys lose the earrings and
bling, I don’t care if it’s who you are,
and that it’s about the person and not
the image! If you want the job lose the
chip on the shoulder!
6. Go to bed and say to yourself "I am
ready; I will have a great interview tomorrow!"
7. Wake up with plenty of time and have
a proper breakfast- nothing heavy- some
cereal and fruit, some OJ. If you normally
have coffee, then have 1 cup!
8. Repeat to yourself as you get ready-
"I will have a great interview; I will
have a great day!" It’s cheesy, but just
do it! Over and over!
9. Travel with sufficient time and sip
on a bottle of water on your way.
10. Arrive 15 min early and go to the
toilet! 2 reasons! To get rid of the coffee,
OJ and water and to look in the mirror
and say... "I look good, I feel good"
11. Walk in with your head high, shoulders
back and smile.
12. Greet with a firm handshake, a smile
and a "Good morning Mr. /Mrs Blah, How
are you today!" Remember to look them
in the eyes and smile, never look down!
13. Create Rapport- Try a little small
talk; this will give an idea of the type
of person you’re dealing with. Remember
it’s never personal to start. Some people
want to chat; others want to get straight
to the point. Read your interviewer and
match his style.
14. Sit like he/she sits. If they cross
their legs, do the same. If they lean
back, do it. If they lean in toward you
do the same! Don’t do it instantly, but
gradually and discreetly imitate their
movements!
15. Copy their tone. If they are loud
be load. If they speak quietly, do the
same. These are advanced techniques and
to explain them all here would take days.
Just trust me!
16. The WEAKNESS question! Always answer,
never say you don’t have one, but do make
your weakness sound like a strength. Ex.
"My weakness is that I am never satisfied
with things, I always try to improve on
the things I’ve done. It gets on my wife’s
nerves; she says I’m a perfectionist."
Get it!
17. Answer as if you already have the
job. Instead of saying "I would do this
and that", say "I will do this and that".
Works wonders, just don’t be arrogant!
18. Use "Successful" words. For example,
accomplished, achieved, built, developed,
succeeded etc.
19. Ask questions. Have a list of questions
prepared it comes across very well.
20. Thank them, and be sure you get a
timeline of when they will get back to
you. Now go home and have a glass of wine!
Well Done!
Remember, don’t let a few setbacks dampen
your spirits, instead re-enforce the process
and get better. Most interviews nowadays
are Behavioural Interviews, which means
most questions will be about how you dealt
with situations in the past. The theory
is that the way you handled things in
previous jobs and situations, is a good
indicator of how you will handle them
in the future. Be prepared! Be Confident!
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence,
therefore, is not an act but a habit."
Aristotle
Ricardo Leal was born in Portugal in
1974 on the dawn of the Revolution. He
immigrated to Canada with his parents
at the age of 6 and studied in Canada.
He obtained a Business college Diploma
in Finance and Marketing and launched
his first business at 22- Conquest Productions,
an Event Planning and Production Company.
He then opened his 2nd Business at 25,
a nightclub called 'Mambo Bar & Grill'.
He sold his share in 2001 and moved to
London, England. In England he has worked
with large Leisure Companies and has coached
and produced great Managers and Leaders
for a wide variety of Businesses. He is
currently writing his first Non Fiction
Book, and has recently launched 2 new
businesses, Tappy Toes, a childrens Dance/Movement
Business, and his first Internet Venture
still under construction. Check out his
Success tips at http://www.thesuccessproject.blogspot.com
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