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Interviews can be a nerve wracking process. Nerves are perfectly natural; the trick is not to let them weigh you down. Remember that the employer has asked to see you because they think you are capable of doing the job and will be hoping that you are their perfect match!
Your CV has done the work and has gotten you the interview and now it’s your time to shine and reinforce to your prospective employer why you are the perfect candidate for them.
If you follow the basic rules below you will find that your interviews will be a lot less stressful and may even bag you the job you’ve always dreamed of!
The 3 “P”s
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Do your Research
As the old saying goes “Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail”. The more you know about the company and the role you are applying for the less nervous you will be and the more confident you will appear to your potential employer. Your main objective in interview is to make yourself stand out from all the other candidates that your potential employer could be interviewing. The first way to do this is to go that extra mile and thoroughly research the company history; requirements of the role and any other relevant areas that you feel could benefit you in interview and make you stand out. No matter how well you can answer questions about yourself if you can’t answer a question you should know about the role or company you are applying to it’s not going to leave a good impression. Log on to the company's website, get hold of company literature and find out about the company’s main competitors. If and when the opportunity to use this knowledge arises, you'll be able to demonstrate an impressive level of interest in the organisation.
SWOT Analysis
In the retail Industry in particular more and more employers are expecting candidates to have prepared a SWOT analysis on the company/ store they are applying to. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats and involves a candidate visiting a store and assessing it in its entirety under these headings. Whether or not this is a definite requirement of the company you are applying to it is an excellent idea for you to carry out a SWOT analysis prior to interview anyway. Not only will it give you an in depth feel for the environment you will be potentially working in, it will also make great reference points in interview if you can drop in the fact that you visited the store and outline the things you liked and the things you would possibly change if you were to get the role. This shows the interviewer that you are commercially minded, you have initiative and you made the effort to go that extra mile.
General Preparation
It sometimes the simplest things that make all the difference; knowing exactly where your interview will be taking place and how long it will take you to get there is of the utmost importance and something that many people take for granted or forget to do. Knowing your CV – it sounds silly but under interview pressure it is easy to get muddled on dates, figures and other information that will leave you looking totally unprepared in interview. Before the interview it is always a good idea to review your CV thoroughly and make a list of all the achievements you had in each role. These are your unique selling points and should be emphasised as much as possible. Know your facts and figures, dates, staff headcount for each role and turnover of the businesses you worked for if possible, particularly if you are being interviewed for a senior role. Know the names of the interviewers you are meeting with and remember to use their names when you first meet with them. Don’t forget to bring at least one copy of your CV and any other relevant documentation with you to the interview.
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Making a Great First Impression
It’s the simple things that count here. Ensure you look smart and professional. Ensure your hair is washed and styled and when it comes to makeup less is more. Don’t wear too much perfume or aftershave and never chew gum in interview. When it comes to dress code the standard rule of thumb has changed slightly for fashion roles and some prospective employers want to get a feel for your personal sense of style and be able to visualise you working in their store. In this case a more trendy approach to dress code is acceptable however check with your consultant prior to the interview to make sure that this is OK as it varies from employer to employer. Smile, use the names of the interviewers and shake hands firmly.
Body Language
Body language is a hugely important part of communication which can constitute 50% or more of what we are communicating. In a recent study it was found that overall communication is made up of 7% words, 38% tone, 55% body language so don’t underestimate the power your actions and gestures may have. The way you act, your posture, facial expressions and gestures will say a lot about you without you even realising it. Good eye contact is crucial and in a panel interview remember to look at all of the interviewers when answering rather than just the person who asked the question. Don’t be afraid to smile if it is appropriate and make sure you sit up straight. Don’t cross your arms, fidget or tap your feet
Be Positive
A confident and positive person is much more likely to appeal to a prospective employer than a nervous negative one! Be enthusiastic, expand on the information on your CV and try and highlight other relevant points where possible in your answer. A simple yes or no answer is rarely enough in an interview situation as the interviewer is expecting you to sell yourself and your experience to them in order to prove why you are the best person for the job. This said, be careful not to ramble. Keep your answers to the point and always have the question in the back of your mind so that if you feel you’re going off the point you can bring it back around. Use strong phrases such as “I know” “I can” “I will” instead of “I think I can” “I feel I could”. Done in the right way and without sounding arrogant this reassures the interviewer that you are capable and confident. Practice your answers aloud as you would be surprised how different it can sound spoken to in your head. |
Chemistry
Chemistry is the magical part of interviews and in a surprisingly large amount of interviews can be the deciding factor between one candidate getting the job over another equally qualified contender. When interviewing candidates employers don't want to hire just anyone. They want to hire a candidate who can do the job and connect with others in the workplace. Therefore, it's not enough for job seekers to highlight their skills, knowledge and experience. They must be able to create chemistry and connect with the interviewer if they want that job. You'll want to connect with the company's mission, its people and its customers. And you'll certainly want the interviewer to connect with you. Many people think of interviews as high stress situations and therefore spend their time worrying and trying not to make mistakes instead of doing their best to connect with the interviewer. The best way to connect in this situation boils down to your own personality. Discuss your passions, show your enthusiasm, smile and make good eye contact. As previously discussed be aware of your body language and where possible try to imitate or mirror the body language of the interviewer. Be aware of the interviewers tone and use of language and adjust your own accordingly without making yourself sound silly. Listen attentively and respond well. Try to avoid thinking of what you’re about to say next instead of listening properly to the interviewer. Above all try to relax, be yourself and smile and most importantly don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. They will want to hire a human being not a robot!!
Close on a confident note
Leave the employer with a good final impression. Smile, thank them for their time, say you enjoyed discussing the job and that you look forward to hearing from them soon. Don't add any afterthoughts as you leave the room.
Making these efforts throughout the interview will go a long way toward impressing the interviewer and positioning yourself ahead of other candidates. Even if you don't win the job offer, the interviewer may be inclined to recommend you to others or keep you in mind for future opportunities if he or she developed a connection with you.
Acing an interview, even for a job that isn't perfect for you, will put you on the radar screen of those who can help you in the future. Remember that interviewers have their own network of contacts that will likely be valuable to you.
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