MAKING IT TO THE FIRST INTERVIEW - PART TWO

Making it to the First Interview


Part Two


Never arrive late. To an interviewer, you may be seen as having a challenge with being on time, will not complete reports within given deadlines or being incapable of planning ahead. Arrive a comfortable half an hour to fifteen minutes before your appointment. Use the time to relax and observe, however brief, the staff interactions. If you are late however, please do not advise the interviewer that you over slept. If for some unforeseen reason, (Murphy's Law)you realize that you are going to be late, be proactive, call the interviewer, apologize, advise him/her of your approximate time of arrival or suggest another date for the interview.

Plan your route to the interview. Make sure you know the way to your interview. Factor in the effect of undue traffic delays. Listen to the weather forecast for the day. Make sure you work out parking details. Traffic delays and parking searches will only serve to frustrate and get you uneasy, when you should be calm and relaxed. Remember, the interview has the potential to give enough anxiety, so the additional stress is not needed.


Give yourself enough time. Some interviews may only be twenty minutes, while the assessments that may be administered whether before or after the interview may take over an hour to complete. Do not plan other equally important activities on the same day, or agree to attend an interview after or before an exam.


Be Prepared. Bring your certificates (although they might not be requested), have them just in case and remember, if you choose to make copies take the originals to authenticate them. Make sure also, that you have the certificates to substantiate the academia and courses mentioned in your resume. If you do not have proof that you went on a course, then do not mention it. If it is deemed, that you are deliberately misleading the interviewer your application will be eliminated.

Keep it simple and straightforward If selected you will have plenty of time and opportunity to woo and impress your direct reports, your manager and customers if applicable. Do not be overly verbose with your responses. Neither should you seek to find similarities (alumni) between yourself and the interviewer. That is not the purpose of your visit. After you have been chosen for the job you may reminisce with whomever you please.

Dress Appropriately. Your apparel should be comfortable enough that it will not get out of place if you sit of stand repeatedly. If you are uncertain as to what may be acceptable; visit the company (incognito) and observe the attire of the staff present. Make sure it is not a casual Friday.

Good luck.