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How to Nail the Perfect Job Interview
by Joanna Murchie
Job interviews: something we have all been through, but how many of us actually feel really confident when we walk into that room and are faced by a potential employer, who literally holds the key to our future in their hands?
O 14
r are you the type who is so utterly intimidated by the whole process that they feel physically sick? If so, you’re
definitely not alone. But it’s essential to get it right – a recent survey has shown that 33% of employers make up their minds whether to hire someone during the first 90 seconds of an interview. Here are some of my top tips for overcoming your fear and giving yourself the best possible chance.
Make sure you allow plenty of time on the day. I have always turned up at least half
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an hour early for every interview and then gone for a coffee. Turning up late will not only look very bad to the employer, but it will also put you on the back foot right from the start, which could totally destroy your confidence and your chances.
It may seem very obvious, but don’t forget to SMILE, and build rapport with your prospective boss. A smile can go a very long way to instil confidence in the interviewer, as well as having a significant psychological impact on you too. People who smile are instantly seen as friendly, approachable and trustworthy, and therefore someone that you’d like to employ.
Don’t rush your answers. If faced with a particularly difficult question, I always advise people to follow this simple trick. Accept any offer of a drink at the start of the interview. That way, when that difficult question comes along, you can pause, lean forward, have a sip, sit back, breathe, and answer. This will buy you about 10 seconds to formulate an answer in your head. Believe me when I say this has saved the day for me on numerous occasions!
And then there’s the question of what to wear. First impressions really do count. 55% of employers say that
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