FACT: Most employers and hiring managers have already seen your CV and qualifications by the time you get to interview. So, at interview, they will be keenly watching to make sure you will be a good fit for their team and company/ firm, generally. This basic code of conduct should help you perform to the best of your ability at the interview!
What to Avoid:
- Displaying an aggressive overbearing personality or conversely, a weak handshake (it is surprising how much of a bugbear this is for many interviewers!)
- Showing a lack of interest or enthusiasm in the role or the firm/company (not knowing anything about the role or company)
- The inability to clearly express your thoughts or get your point across
- Rambling answers – succinctness is a highly valued trait by most employers
- Nervousness, being under-prepared or poor eye contact
- Displaying a blatant interest in money and benefits only – try not to discuss this at an interview unless it is first raised by the interviewer
- Having a lack of good questions about the role; and firm/company
- Derogatory comments about your past or current employer
- Displaying a lack of direction in your career
Do try to:
- Make good eye contact, shake hands firmly
- Be courteous, confident and friendly
- Be interested and positive about the role and firm/company
- Answer all questions truthfully. If you do not know an answer to a technical question do not try to ‘wing it’
- Always relate how your experience and background are suitable for the position
- Ask considered and thoughtful questions
- Always wait for the issue of salary to be brought up first and if asked about expectations, mention that you would like to be paid fairly/market rate for the role you are performing
- Always conduct yourself as though you are determined to get the job. Having a lack of enthusiasm or worse, detached, is not how you want to be described.