Dear Jobs Guru: ‘I’m fearful of messing up my large job interview – assist me put together’
Reader Tammy hasn’t had many job interviews and she’s worried her nerves will get the better of her on the big day. Our Jobs Guru James Innes is here with some advice…
Getting ready for an interview can feel incredibly stressful(Image: Getty Images)
Question:
Dear James,
I have an interview coming up for a new job as an office manager at a recruitment firm.
I am so desperate to get the position, but I don’t have much experience of job interviews. I’m a bit concerned I’ll say the wrong thing and mess up completely, or my nerves will get the better of me and I’ll end up either rambling or not being able to think of a single thing to say!
What is the most important thing I should do to prepare – and do you have any tips for making a good impression? Tammy, London
Answer:
First of all, Tammy, my congratulations on getting to the interview stage; it’s a very positive start.
You evidently need to research both the job and the organisation. Not knowing the ins and outs of a job is one of the worst blunders you can make in an interview – and a number of popular interview questions are designed to probe and assess your knowledge of the organisation to which you are applying.
Beyond that, it’s essential for you to think for yourself and create your own answers to potential questions. Wherever possible, try to integrate real-life examples into your answers rather than just speaking hypothetically. Flagging up specific, relevant examples from your own experience is an ideal way of reinforcing your points in the interviewer’s mind.
But don’t recite your answers parrot-fashion! Too many candidates make the mistake of sounding like they’re reading out answers from an interview book…
On the day itself, be confident and show your enthusiasm. Confident people inspire confidence in others – if you appear confident that you are able to do the job, the employer is likely to be more inclined to believe that you can – and showing a lack of enthusiasm is generally fatal to your chances of success.
One final point. Yes, it may seem so obvious, but late arrival is consistently one of the very top reasons cited by recruiters for their rejecting candidates at interview stage. Don’t be late. Better than that, aim to get there early, so as to have time to relax and compose yourself.
Top Tip:
The key to preventing pre-interview jitters is preparation. To convince a recruiter that you are right for the role, you first need to get it clear in your own mind.
Spotlight On: Final Impressions
First impressions count. But final impressions are pretty important too!
At the end of an interview you will normally be escorted to the exit. Give the interviewer a final handshake, smile and leave with your head held high.
You were on show from the moment you arrived and you remain on show until you are right out of sight. If the stress of it was all too much for you, don’t immediately get your fags out of your pocket and light up the moment you’re out of the door. And if you think you’ve done well then don’t perform a victory dance on the pavement!
Avoid screeching excitedly at someone on your mobile phone. Basically, don’t do anything except get yourself away and out of sight as quickly and quietly as possible!
Get a head start in your job hunt with James’ new book, The Job You’ve Always Wanted – out now from Pearson at £16.99.
Our Jobs Guru, James Innes, is a best-selling careers author and founder of the world’s leading group of professional CV and resume writers .
