Carlow Jobs Club

							Carlow Jobs Club

  Carlow Jobs Club is funded by FAS and
administered by Carlow County Development
              Partnership Ltd
    Essentials in Interview Skills

 What employer is looking for
 Key ingredients for successful interview
  preparation
 Reasons why employers turn down
  candidates
 Body Language
 Hints for Interviews (Do’s & Don'ts)
What the Employer is looking for

   An understanding of the job

   The ability to do it

   Enthusiasm

   The ability to fit in with the current team
      Essentials in Interview Skills

   Know what the employer is looking for
    The job specification is the employer telling you what they want
    and you don’t even have to ask any questions. It sounds obvious
    but most jobseekers ignore the job specification


   Know your CV
    Know your strengths and weaknesses and your CV including
    dates, work history, hobbies and education. Identify key
    achievement and quantifiable examples to compliment your duties
    and responsibilities. Identify what makes you different from your
    competitors
      Essentials in Interview Skills

   Match your Experience/Skills to what the
    Employer is looking for
    Many jobseekers get carried away and talk about all their great
    experience, qualities and components without sifting out the
    relevant information. Each employer is different and you have to
    tailor your message accordingly. Irrelevant information dilutes
    your message and can confuse or distract the interviewer.
Reasons why Employers turn down
          candidates
   Lack of passion
    You must present yourself in a positive, enthusiastic manner to
    show an employer the positive energy you will bring to the
    company

   Not selling yourself
    You need to ensure that you “manage” the interview process and
    highlight your key achievements and strengths in the allotted time

   Lack of focus
    Focus on the employer’s needs and tailor your experience to
    match that role
                    Body Language
   If you have been selected for an interview, you have obviously
    impressed your potential employer - your next challenge is to
    maintain their positive perception of you in the interview stage

   It is therefore essential to come across as confident, enthusiastic
    and capable of rising to the challenge, even if you really feel
    terrified, negative and ready to run away!

   Positive actions: eye contact, firm, friendly handshake, palms
    visible

   Negative Actions: defensiveness, boredom, doubt, nervousness

   Watch the interviewer, their body language can give you a clear
    indication of what the interviewer thinks of what you are saying –
    e.g. if they are displaying signs of boredom, you should try to
    direct the subject away from your current line of thinking.
                    Do
 Find out about the job and the company
  before hand
 Decide in advance what clothes you will be
  wearing
 Bring any necessary documentation with
  you (e.g. certificates, CV)
 Arrive early
 Greet the interviewer with a pleasant
  smile, warm handshake
                    Do
 Listen carefully to the questions you are
  asked-never interrupt
 Think before answering
 Answer clearly in a firm and confident
  manner
 Look the interviewer in the eye especially
  when answering questions
 Be polite and friendly, smile to show
  you’re friendly
                    Do
 Sell yourself-talk about your good points,
  not your bad
 Make sure you do most of the talking-
  about 80%
 Remember that an interview is a two way
  process-so ask questions at the
  appropriate time
 Thank the interviewer when the interview
  is over
                 Don’t
 Assume the job is yours just because
  you’ve been asked to the interview
 Be late but telephone if some mishap
  means that you will
 Sit down before you are asked
 Evade any questions-answer them to the
  best of your ability
 Put on a false accent speak naturally
                  Don’t
 Run down or make unpleasant remarks
  about your previous employer or
  colleagues
 Be negative-talk about what you can do
  not what you can’t do
 Tell lies about your achievements or
  abilities
 Be afraid to admit you don’t understand
  something, ask for further explanation
    Essentials in Interview Skills

 Know what employer is looking for
 Know your CV
 Match your experience/skills
 Reasons why employers turn down
  candidates
 Body Language
 Do’s & Don’ts
Carlow Jobs Club

  Carlow Jobs Club is funded by FAS and
administered by Carlow County Development
              Partnership Ltd