Preparing for you big day!

A job interview should be no more than a formal discussion regarding a job role on offer.  Job
interviews can take place in a range of settings, including face-to-face, interview panels,
auditions, over the telephone or involve assessment centres, etc. 

Regardless of the nature of your interview, it is important to ensure that you are fully prepared to do your best.  You have worked hard to earn an interview so why waste it with a lack of preparation.  Better preparation will ultimately lead to better interview performance.

Even before you attend interview, be sure that you know the date, time and location of the interview as well as details of who you will be meeting. 

Winning CV has structured the key elements of job interview preparation.  Get these basics right to ensure a more effective interview performance.  There is nothing worse than trying to find an answer under pressure when knowing that effective preparation could have avoided such a scenario.

                                                                                                            

It is important to know & understand your CV!

>>  Enables you to be more confident, assured & convincing at interview.
>>  Questions can be asked on any aspects of your CV and experiences.
>>  This can help you to quickly recall information & examples under pressure.

Understanding what employers are really after!

>>  Looking at job descriptions can reveal what employers are really after.
>>  Employers often embellish advertisements to widen the appeal of job roles.
>>  Ambiguous terminology can hide more mundane aspects of the role.
>>  Important to understand the 'true' meaning of each element.

Understanding what the employer can offer.

Job descriptions can give clues as to what employers are like and what to look for...

>>  Company performance:  Good indicator = successful or struggling?
>>  Products & services; company history; growth & competition.
>>  Impressions:  Do you really want to work for this company?
>>  Interview success depends on thorough preparation.

                                                                                                                                                               

Practive makes perfect!

>>  Give credible examples (go through them with friends to check relevance & impact).
>>  There are only so many questions to be asked & so many examples you can give.
>>  Important to have your answers ready (will give you confidence at interview).
>>  Practice questioning & answering techniques with friends.

Examples will demonstrate effectiveness & suitability to role. 

>>  Helps to convey understanding about what you have done & achieved.
>>  Highlight skills, qualities & competencies relevant to the role.

STEP 1:  State the example.

State what has happened.

STEP 2:  State why it is important / relevant.

Demonstrate why is this example relevant to the job role.

STEP 3:  How the problem was solved (overcoming difficulties). 

Demonstrating problem-solving capabilities.

STEP 4:  Outcome. 

State what you learnt or achieved from resolving this problem.

                                               

  

Beat the competition! - Make sure your CV stands out from the crowd & win at interview!