don't forget to smile

Every second counts in an interview - even before you meet the hiring manager. From the minute you enter the workplace to the time you exit the building, it is important to appear friendly and outgoing (even if this is not something that comes naturally to you).

Make an effort to smile and say hello to everyone you interact with - from the receptionist to the interviewer and anyone in between.
Interviewers will often confer with support staff to see if their impression of you matches how you interacted with all who contacted you; the receptionist or administrative staff has influenced many hires.

be aware of your body language

You only have one chance to make a positive first impression, and how a potential employer perceives you in that split second can either make or break a job interview within the first five minutes.

Be friendly and outgoing, and ensure you have a firm, confident handshake from the beginning. Body language provides unconscious messages to your future employer, which you can use to your advantage.
In the interview, if you are sitting, sit up straight with your hands visible, either crossed lightly in your lap or on the table.
Never lie in an interview.
You will either get caught out immediately or once you have landed the job - either way, dishonesty doesn't sit well with employers. It is better to be honest about your skills and be turned down for the job than to lie and be unable to execute it.

demonstrate your confidence

Self-assurance and high self-esteem are sought-after attributes employers look for in potential candidates. So even if you tend to be introverted or shy, it is imperative that you make a concerted effort to muster as much confidence as possible during your interview.

A significant factor when it comes to overcoming your fear is being prepared.
Even if you are not naturally a confident speaker, putting in the groundwork before you go by researching the company, the role and your interviewer will help you remain calm during the interview.

Even if you are not confident, you can still outwardly project confidence by maintaining eye contact and being aware of your posture - try to sit forward in your chair. Keep your voice level and be animated in your body language to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the job.

These actions can maintain or generate momentum during the interview. This is especially important when doing multiple discussions on the same day. The energy level must be as high for the last as it is for the first.

....but don't be arrogant

There is a fine line between displaying confidence and arrogance. Going into your interview with an aggressive, overbearing attitude may end up losing you the job, as no one wants to work with someone difficult.

Try to come across as confident but humble, and avoid behaviour that comes across as cocky or know-it-all.

ask questions

The most effective and successful job interviews are those where an active two-way conversation takes place, so remain alert and responsive throughout your interview. Where possible, ask questions about the role to show your interest & try to interject some of your personality. This is also where you can show off some of the research from your initial knowledge-gathering session.

Remember, this is not just an interview for the hiring manager to get to know you, but it's also an opportunity to find out if it is a place where you would like to work, so use the time wisely. Get a feel for the company culture and the types of benefits you would enjoy as an employee if you were successful in the role.

A few strategic questions can demonstrate your intelligence, analytical skills and assertiveness.

some great questions to ask are:

Who previously held the position, and what was their reason for leaving?
What does success look like in this role?
Does the company invest in training for its staff? If so, is it internal learning development or offsite?
If I were successful in the role, are there be opportunities for career advancement & development in the future?
I read in ____ that your company is expanding into the Asia Pacific - does this mean there would be travel opportunities if I were to be successful in the role?
What is the team culture like? How many people would I be working with on a day-to-day basis?

connect the dots

During the interview hiring managers will often ask you to outline your skills and experience from previous roles and then demonstrate how this experience directly relates to the roles and responsibilities outlined for this new job.

In your answer, it's essential to show that you have completed the required task and that you went above and beyond the initial charge required to deliver exceptional service.
For example, perhaps you helped to solve a customer complaint, but what else did you do on top of this which benefited the company?

Did you help train a fellow employee or do something that created extra revenue, saved expenses etc. - be specific with the amounts and how you accomplished that goal.

remain positive

A common mistake job seekers make is negative comments about their previous job, manager or co-workers. Bringing this up during an interview could reflect poorly on you and give the hiring manager a false or negative impression of you.

For this reason, no matter your reasons for leaving your last job during an interview, it is essential to remain neutral.
If you are asked directly why you have chosen to leave your previous employer, consider citing factors such as a new career path or better training opportunities.

wrapping up the interview

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