READY RESUMES | Innovative and successful resume writing service.

INTERVIEW TIPS

Once you have a professional resume, from "Ready Resumes", it's important to take a copy along with you to the interview, as well as any additional supporting information such as qualifications, training and education certificates.

Please find below 10 quick tips, including details of a useful website which provides additional helpful advice for interview preparation. If you are well prepared, this will help build your confidence for the actual interview.

10 TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS

1) Research the prospective employer on the Internet or through brochures (e.g. history, types of products/services, geographical locations, charitable work etc.)

2) Go to website www.seek.com.au – click on "Tools & Resources" and then "Interview with Confidence" information. Write out how you would deal with questions asked.

3) Call company contact to confirm appointment, date, time, place and names of people attending the interview and their position in the company.

4) If appropriate, ask what interview dress is expected - smart casual or suit?

5) If possible, do a "dummy run" to interview location and time it for preparation - otherwise allow plenty of time to get there.

6) At interview, firm handshake, warm smile, LISTEN TO QUESTIONS ASKED, pause if necessary, don't talk too much and if unsure - ask if your answer was sufficient for their purposes.

7) Be prepared for questions on your existing or past job, what you can offer, "describe your greatest achievement", how you handled a difficult situation, job availability and reason for leaving etc.

8) Have ready questions to ask them e.g. is position additional or replacement, your expected duties, their vision for the role in next 6 - 12 months, key priorities, company's approach to professional development and ask what is the next stage of the interview process (unless they tell you).

9) Be professional in approach, give good eye contact to all present, use the name of the company now and then during interview and be mindful of the time, as they may have other applicants to interview.

10) Recap at end, showing you have listened about the duties required, what your skills are and what you can bring to the company/organisation. Confident handshake and smile genuinely as you leave.

NB.: It’s always a good idea to do a follow up email or letter, thanking the company for giving you the opportunity of an interview. If you’ve forgotten something or felt you didn’t answer an interview question well, use this follow up, as an opportunity to explain your answer better. If you still want the job, reaffirm your genuine interest in the position and just summarise what you can offer the company. This helps the person to hopefully remember you from all the other applicants. If there are more suitable applicants, then the interview process will sift out the best candidate. It's important to know that you personally gave your best at the interview. If you are unsuccessful in getting the job, ask the company for some useful feedback on what you could do to help improve your interview skills.

ALL THE BEST.

Regards,

Sharon Cousins t/as "Ready Resumes"