Interview

Do’s & Don’ts

 Do’s
 Preparation and confidence  Checklist
 You must prepare yourself
practically for the interview.
 gather information which is
useful during the interview.
 consider the following things:
 time, date and location of the
interview and name of
interviewee where appropriate.
 plan to get there half an hour
before
 ready with your dress which is
professional.
 Concentrate on the interview at
the interview
 Get ready with the important
documents (certificates,
references, etc.)-interview letters
must be with you
 Arrive-inform the receptionist
Do’s
 You never get a second
 Be on time!
chance to make a first
 Early – wait at the nearby
impression!
café/shop
 Smile
 Late – inform
 Dressing - formal dress
 Be Prepared!
 Don’t forget for firm
 learn something about the
handshake
company before you attend
 Eye contact – show
your interview.
confidence
 Write down and practice
possible questions
 Be enthusiastic and positive!
 Avoid sounding as though
 Answer Briefly
you assume the job is yours  speak one-third of the time

and definitely no more than

half of the time
 Do’s
 Take a spare photo and CV  Bring Up a Weakness
with you!  E.g., "I really need to work

 Think of an Interview as a on my leadership skills. I

First Date am a good worker and
totally competent, but
 Talk about specific
sometimes I lack the
achievements!
confidence to stand up and
 specific examples of things
take a leadership position."
you have done that you are
particularly proud of; how
you solved problems; how
you learned - and improved
- from difficult situations.
Do’s
 Ask the power questions
(earlier)
 What do you hope to find
in the person you hire?
 What would be my first
priorities on the job?
 Be honest!
 No need to lie about your
background and/or skills
 Talking Salary
 too early in the process –
say: you would rather
postpone that discussion
until you have more
information about the
position
Don'ts  Poor handshake
 Not preparing for the  Handshake judge your
interview
personality
 Keep in mind that
 E.g. :
preparation always increases
confidence
 limp hand - impression of
disinterest or weakness.
 Showing up late or too early  tips of the fingers - lack of
 more than 10 minutes early -
ability to engage.
the job seeker has too much  arm pump - overly aggressive
time on his or her hands salesman.
 Treating the receptionist
rudely
 The receptionist has the

power to say about your

positive or negative points
Don’ts
 Verbal ticks
 Talking too much
 To avoid over-talking,  "umm," "like," "you know."

practice answering questions  Avoid - pausing for a few

in a direct manner. seconds to gather your
 Talking negatively about thoughts before each
current or past response
employers/managers  Not enough/too much eye

 Asking about benefits, contact

vacation time or salary  Eye contact shows your

 Wait until you have won the confidence but it may

employer over before happen that it creates a
beginning that discussion negative effect also
 Don’ts
 Final Thoughts
 Failure to match
communication styles  strong interview skills will win

 If the interviewer seems all you consideration for the job

business, then you must be
behave like business.
 If the interviewer is

personable, try discussing

his/her interests.
 If the interviewer asked a

direct question, answer

directly.
 What To Wear?
Men
 A neatly pressed long-sleeved
working shirt (avoid colourful
shirts, stick to one solid colour)
 A tie (optional but recommended)
 A suit or sports coat
 A pair of neatly-pressed dark-
coloured slacks
 Conservative colours (avoid
bright, flashy colours e.g. bright
orange, red, etc.)
 Well polished dark-coloured
shoes
 Neatly groomed or cleanly
shaved beard and/or moustache
Women
 Conservative blouse (steer clear of
low cleavage and bare back designs)
 Business suit
 Conservative Colours (maximum of
three)
 Properly fitting, non-revealing
clothes.
 A conservative hairstyle tied-up long
hair or set hair in a neat hairstyle.
Avoid colouring your hair in shocking
colours if you are job hunting
 Appropriate closed-toe shoes or
pumps. Wear sandals only when
matched with long skirts