How To Succeed At Interview

Are you job hunting at the moment? Here's how to knock spots off the competition.

The first `adult' interview I ever had was a nightmare.

When applying for university, I faced a panel of four people - one of whom sat behind a huge pot plant. A KGB-style `interrogation' lamp was shone in my face, and when sitting down I was given the choice between a futon three inches off the floor or a rocking chair with an open window behind it.

I spent the entire time squinting into the glare, perched on the edge of the rocking chair trying not to shoot backwards out the window.

Since then, I've had several jobs, and I've also interviewed prospective job candidates myself. Thankfully, in the real world interviews are rarely the stuff of nightmares. Employers usually just want to find out what you're like - not scare you within an inch of your life.

As the economic gloom deepens, however, the fight for jobs is set to become pretty cut-throat. Here are my tips on how to succeed at interview - so you can knock spots off the competition.

Don't be late!

It may sound obvious, but I'm constantly amazed at how many people turn up late to interviews. Getting lost because you don't know the area is NOT an excuse!

Rolling up late is unprofessional, disrespectful and implies the job really doesn't mean that much to you. In short, there's a big risk you'll be written off before you even make it through the door. So:

Plan your journey carefully and have at least one alternative route in mind;

• Take a map or A-Z with you;
• Aim to be there 45 minutes early in case of travel delays (you can always kill time in a café somewhere);
• Make sure you have the main reception telephone number, in case of genuine emergencies.

If the worst happens and you are late, swallow your pride and apologise profusely (without making excuses!).

And at the other extreme, don't announce yourself more than 20 minutes early. This is likely to put your potential employer under pressure, particularly if it's a small workplace and they have to keep climbing over you to get to the coffee machine.

Research, don't rote learn

As my Foolish colleague Neil Faulkner says in How To Get And Keep A Job, it's OK not to know the answer to everything in an interview.

However - if you haven't bothered to properly research what the company does, or what its background is, you're unlikely to impress.

So, have a thorough look at the organisation's website, and print off any information you find particularly interesting or useful.

Also read around the subject as much as possible (you never know when that extra geeky knowledge will come in handy in the interview).

This Jobcentre Plus leaflet is great for tips on interview research. There's a list of 20 questions you're likely to be asked at interview, along with some suggested answers.

Just try to avoid rigidly learning answers by rote. You'll need to be able to understand and adapt what you've learnt so you can respond to what you're actually asked, not just recite a pre-rehearsed blurb!

It's also a good idea to re-read your CV, cover letter and the original advert for the job just before your interview. The interviewer is likely to bring up various points in your CV/cover letter, so make sure you can remember what you wrote!

And finally, note down any questions you have for the employer and bring them along with you. That should help you out if your mind goes blank when they ask you.

Nerves are normal

It's perfectly alright to be nervous - interviewers expect you to be and at least it shows you care. If you think your nerves might make your mind go blank, take some `crib' notes you can refer to every now and then.

A word of warning though: Some people act in a surly or offhand fashion when they're nervous, in an attempt to cover up their jitters. It can be very difficult for interviewers to tell whether this is nerves or just grumpiness.

So - if you think this might apply to you, honesty is the best policy. Admit you're nervous and the chances are the interviewer will warm to you.

Be pleasant in words and actions

Many employers say that ultimately, personality trumps specific skills and experience when it comes to choosing new staff members.

For example, Fool reader BiscuitThimble comments: "I own my own [print] company. and we have just taken on a new member of staff. It's her first job, so she knows nothing of our industry, but she's a delight to work with.

"She's eager, is ready to work before her official start time, asks questions, writes things down and wants to learn. She's bubbly and friendly, gets on well with her colleagues and our customers.

"I can teach her what she needs to know about printing, but enthusiasm and personality is something that you have to bring yourself. Remember, especially if you're starting work in a small company, the boss is human too (promise) and we all started somewhere."

I couldn't have said it better myself. And remember that personality comes across in your body language as well as your words. You can make a good impression immediately just by shaking hands firmly (not too firmly!), looking the interviewer in the eye and smiling.

On the other hand, don't fidget, slouch, cross your arms or sit down before you're told to. Simple eh?

Don't be negative

When asked "why did you leave your last job", don't say "because my boss was a loser". It might well be true, but the interviewer doesn't know your previous employer and it will be difficult for them to judge whether it was you or your boss being difficult.

Now is not the time to be quirky

We all have our own particular style, but if yours is particularly eccentric or `quirky', tone it down a bit. You may feel people should like you `just the way you are' (and fair enough). However, if you really want that job, you've got to take other people's opinions into account.

I'm not saying dress like someone else - just leave out the bits that might prejudice the interviewer against you before you get a chance to sell yourself.

For example, when a friend of mine was going for a `suit' job in the City, he made sure he took his tongue piercing out first. You could argue that he and his piercing should have stood their ground, but unfortunately that's rarely how it works in practice!

Finally, avoid strong perfume or aftershave. Smells are highly evocative and you don't want to remind the interviewer of that relationship that really didn't work out.

Good luck!

More: How To Write The Perfect CV | How To Deal With Redundancy

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