While interview nerves can affect even the most seasoned job hunter, there are strategies candidates can employ to show themselves in the best light. Hudson Human Resources principal consultant Caroline Mathers said preparation greatly enhanced a candidate\u2019s chances of performing well at any interview.<\/p>\n
Ms Mathers said that preparation included researching the organisation and understanding its product, size, location and potential for growth, preparing questions to ask during the interview and ensuring you know how to get to the interview in order to arrive on time.<\/p>\n
\u201cNormally towards the end, you do have to ask a question, rather than just sitting there with a blank look, which requires some preparation,\u201d Ms Mathers said. \u201cOne suggested question is how they would describe the organisational culture. \u201cThis focuses not on the skill set the employer is looking for but the `cultural fit\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt may be the culture is not necessarily what the potential employee is looking for.\u201d Human Resources consultant Simone Mitchell said visual clues and body language were also used by the employer to gauge a candidate\u2019s suitability for a role.<\/p>\n
\u201cDress appropriately and relatively conservatively,\u201d Ms Mitchell said. \u201cPay attention to the way you present yourself.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmployers are not only paying attention to what you say but the softer signs that people forget about like how a candidate holds themselves in an interview.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake the time to listen to what they have to say and maintain eye contact. \u201cIf the interview is with two people, balance the eye contact with both.\u201d Ms Mitchell said candidates should also be prepared to answer commonly asked questions such as `what are your career aspirations\u2019 and `how have you worked as part of a team\u2019, with concrete examples.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the interview there is the potential for the interviewee to provide answers which are supported by examples,\u201d Ms Mitchell said. \u201cThere are questions which come up time and time again in interviews, like talking about strengths and weaknesses, where you see yourself in the future and how you have worked as part of a team.<\/p>\n
\u201cProviding solid examples comes back to preparation. \u201cEmployers are looking for good responses so it\u2019s important to be succinct when giving examples, rather than going off on to a 10-minute tangent.\u201d<\/p>\n