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The 10 Interview Rules

1.Be on time

This is the first impression that employers look at. Be late and you can forget the interview all together - Especially if you are applying for an executive position.

If you are late it gives the impression that you have bad time management and employers think that you will be late to work every day. You probably heard the saying time is money well it's true. Always give yourself time when going to an interview at least be 10 minutes early. It shows the employer that you have great time management and will also give you time to fill out forms that may be required before the interview.

2.Dress/Behave Appropriately

Remember first impression counts. A lot of people have been hired because of the way they look and present themselves. We are not saying it works for everyone but there are a lot of cases that support this. The point here is that dressing inappropriately will make it immediately harder for you to succeed in an interview. This is particularly important in positions such as customer service or management positions. Remember, if the ad ask for a well groomed person they'll expect to see that at the interview.

Be sure to behave professionally no matter the position. Handshakes are important so don't forget them when you meet and also at the end of the interview. Ask how their day is going and try to project a friendly outgoing personality. These little things will help you in the interview.

3. Documentation

Even though you've sent your resume when you applied for that certain position, be sure to bring a resume along in case they require a second copy or haven't printed out the one you've sent. You may also want to bring along any references or certificates such as qualifications or merit certificates.
Try and think about things that may be asked during the interview and have them written down in a notepad. You can also use this to write down information during the interview. Not every employer is organised trust us we know. You can bring notebook not an electronic one but somewhere where you might have written down questions or want to write down important information about the job during the interview, who knows maybe that job is not your cup of tea after all.

4.Be prepared to answer questions such as:

• Who was your last employer?
• Tell me a bit about that position and the duties involved.
• What did/didn't you like about the position?
• Tell me about a time where you handled a difficult customer or duty and how did you resolve the situation?
• Why did you quit your last position?
• Why do you want to work here?
• What are you hoping to achieve in this position?

Remember that most employers will judge you on your past behaviour, so if you quit that job because you couldn't deal with customers (or even the boss) and the job is of a similar nature then you're going to find it harder to convince them that you are the best candidate for the job. Remember that these questions are the test to find out if you ar suitable. Once the employer is happy with your answers you're one step closer to landing the job.

5.Ask questions

The interview is not just about the job and skills you have but about you. Show that you can hold a conversation ask questions even if you don't have any ask something to make you look interested and not look like someone who never has something to say or has no opinion about anything.

6.Your Referees

Be sure to inform your referees before the interview so they know why that person is calling them and most importantly who you are. Let's face it a few months later we all forget names and especially employers who have more than a handful of employees. It's also a courtesy - It gives your previous employer chance to think about your good points BEFORE your potential employer calls. Your best referees are previous employers, failing that, if you're just starting out you should ask your teachers or lecturers. Family and friends do not make good referees.

7.During the interview

Be sure to make eye contact during the interview. Don't look at the ceiling or floor, it's not professional and you display a lack of confidence. Having said that though, you shouldn't spend the whole interview staring at your interviewer. Make sure to listen to the interviewer no matter how long the interview is. Go with the flow and ask questions if you didn't understand something. Nodding your head and pretending to understand can create all kinds of problems for both you and the employer, especially if there is something in the job that you're not comfortable with.

8.Contracts

Beware of what you sign during the interview and remember to read documents properly. The last thing you want is to find yourself trapped in a job where your forced to work more hours than you're able to commit and for a lot less money than similar jobs. Most employers are doing the right thing with their work contracts but you should also make sure that the work contract suits you. If you don't understand the contract you should ask to have someone else explain it to you.

9.Exiting the Interview

There is a good chance that the employer will not give you an answer straight away but you may find you've walked away from the interview with the job. Congratulations! Don't forget to thank the interviewer. If an employer says they'll contact you, thank them and be patient. They may have other people in mind and they may even contact you again for further information or even a second interview is required.

10.After the interview

If you want that job you just went for and the employer has placed you on a short list, it's probably best not to apply for other positions - especially if they are in the same field
If an employer says they will contact you, you should wait until they do. If they have not called you within a week then a follow up phone call is not a bad thing.

Remember that there are many people applying for jobs so if you do not get the job don't be disheartened and certainly DO NOT write them rude e-mails or call them and ask why didn't I get the job? It leaves a bad impression and you may have other opportunities to apply with this employer in the future.

Good Luck
We hope this document has helped you get prepared and organised for your next interview, and wish all of you good luck with your next career. Feel free to contact us for any questions or tips you may need. We will try and answer any questions.