I stepped out earlier today for my mid-morning coffee break. The sky was hazy and there was a strong smell of smoke in the air. Clearly our firefighters are hard at work conducting back burning exercises across the surrounding Sydney bushland. Preparation/prevention is better than cure. An obvious truism but one not always followed in the world of job interviews.
Too often we receive feedback from both hiring managers and job seekers alike, suggesting that their counterparts in the interview process have not understood the importance of preparation. So, at the risk of stating the obvious, here are some simple tips for improving your interview outcomes.
The Hiring Manager
Good job seekers have multiple options in the job market and often need to be wooed. It is best to refresh your memory on a prospective employee’s work history prior to the interview…rather than in the middle of it.
Have a clear understanding of why a job seekers would want to join your organisation and more importantly your team. What’s in it for them?
The Job Seeker
Many pages of information have been written on this topic and I refer you to the people2people Interview Centre for a comprehensive coverage but, to summarise;
- Know where you are going and how long it will take you to get there. Allow time for the unforseen.
- Have relevant contact details in case you are going to be running late
- Do your research – job, company, interviewer.
- Why are you suitable for the role, why are you interested in the role?
- Have you thought about the organisation, the position etc and prepared some thoughtful questions which reflect and display your interest.
Whether you are an employer or potential employee, a few moments spent in preparation will most certainly help prevent the angst of missing out.
