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Preparing for an Interview
Before we take you on as a candidate, we'll interview you ourselves. This often means a fairly informal meeting at our office or at some hospitable venue nearby.
If all goes well, you'll soon be meeting potential employers - usually under slightly more formal circumstances. A little preparation is essential. It's in our interests as much as yours that you make the right impression, so our consultants will work with you to hone your interview skills.
As a start, here are CLA's top 10 pointers…
- An informative and concise CV of no more than two A4 pages is essential. It should contain vital information such as your name, address, date of birth and marital status. Explain the responsibilities of your current position and your achievements. Summarise your hobbies and interests.
- Do as much homework as possible on the company that's interviewing you. It is virtually impossible to over prepare - but don't get obsessive about telling the interviewer all you know.
- Don't be too quick to scoff at the idea of the "interview suit". Look smart. Interviewers will only notice if you are not reasonably well turned out.
- There's no harm in taking any information such as news reports or magazine features that might be useful during the interview.
- Be on time. Make sure you know exactly where to go and whom you are seeing.
- Start with a firm (but not bone-crushing) handshake. Make good eye contact with your interviewer, but don't stare them out.
- Listen carefully to each question, then answer succinctly - don't be tempted to give more information than is required. By all means refer to anything you've brought along, but only if it's relevant to the question and to your response.
- Avoid putting your hands in front of your mouth while you are speaking. Be lively, enthusiastic and natural. Don't be afraid of showing a sense of humour, providing it's appropriate to the circumstances.
- Accentuate the positive - eliminate the negative. Never put yourself down, or criticise your present employer or the company interviewing you.
- And finally - if you want the job, be bold - ask for it.