Interview Tips.

Remember there is no other applicant quite like you. Every interview is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your skills, improve your interview technique and grow your network. Don’t underestimate the impression you give or how small the world can be.

Attitude :

• Everything is mirrored by this
• If your attitude is positive, it will permeate everything about you in interview
• Without a positive and enthusiastic attitude, you might as well not bother to apply because you are defeated before you start

Body language – Non-verbal in order of importance :

• HAND SHAKE : There’s nothing worse than a sloppy handshake. It can suggest either lack if interest or lack of confidence to your interviewer. Remember, first impressions count. You don’t have to break your interviewer’s hand. You just need to make sure you have a firm and level handshake
• EYE CONTACT : Establish eye contact right from that first hand shake and maintain this throughout the interview, especially when being questioned. As with the hand shake, wandering eyes suggest lack of interest or discomfort with the line of discussion.
• FACIAL EXPRESSIONS : It is important to smile wherever appropriate throughout your interview for 2 reasons. First, smiling will help to ensure that your frame of mind stays positive throughout the interview and hence that you come across as best you can. Second, it suggests that you are a confident, open and warm person who may fit into the employer’s environment.
• POSTURE : Stand straight and sit straight. There is nothing worse than somebody who slouches or lays back. This suggests either arrogance or lack of interest. No crossed arms or legs either. A good idea is to look for the posture cues coming from your interviewer and mirror them.

Dress :

• Dress appropriately for the role you are applying for. If you don’t know, be conservative.
• For all office-based roles, business attire is expected. This means classic, simple, smart, clean and ironed, limited jewellery and clean or polished shoes. Wear plain colours such as black, grey or blue suits or trousers with conservative collared shirt and simple necklace or tie works best.
• For outdoor roles such as trades, manufacturing and logistics, it is still expected that you dress properly including trousers or skirt, belt, collared shirt and closed footware.
• Any piercings, other than single or double ear piercings, MUST be removed unless you are applying for a job at a tattoo parlour.
• Be careful of excessive makeup
• No shorts or thongs!