How to Take Control of Your Next Job Interview
Maybe your next interview will be the consequence of a long and laborious search, the submission of numerous CVs and numerous meetings with various employment agencies. Maybe you will have been head hunted and the opportunity will simply fall into your lap. It might be your dream job, the position you’ve always wanted or then again you may just be there out of interest, curious as to what’s on offer, hopeful of the prospect that you may find yourself in a better paying, more interesting job.
Whatever the lead up, whether healthcare recruitment agencies have submitted fifty CVs on you behalf or whether you are working with a dozen pharmacy recruitment agencies to find that perfect position, when you walk through that door to be interviewed you will want to make as good an impression as possible. It’s important that it’s you who ends up with the choices, with the control, and that you are the one who’s put in the position of deciding whether you will fill the vacancy or not. It’s important that you start to take that control at the outset, for you to manage the interview in a way that suits you and offers the best possible opportunity of achieving an out come that suits you best.
Here’s how.
1. Be prepared:
- Learn as much about the organisation AND the position in advance
- Make a list of all the questions that you may be asked and prepare responses. Practice them with a friend or partner.
- Consider your weaknesses such as gaps in your CV or skill set and learn to express them in a positive way. There’s no need for apology or pretence. It’s a case of offering a constructive perspective.
- Identify your achievements, your abilities and your potential. Understand how success and failure impact upon you and how you use them to further your development.
2. Be punctual
- No ifs not buts, no excuses. Allow yourself plenty of time to travel, park and ready yourself for interview. Arriving late to a job interview for whatever reason is a bad start that you want to avoid. Not only does it reflect badly on your time keeping abilities it’s likely you will feel flustered and off balance.
3. Respect the culture
- Make sure that you dress appropriately and blend. There are clear conventions and values in place at the organisation you may be joining make sure that you respect then by understanding in advance what best to wear.
4. Be confident
- Maintain positive body language throughout – from the first firm hand shake to the last. Eye contact is a must, smile and don’t allow yourself to slouch. How can you express yourself confidently in conversation unless your body language is confident too? Prompt questions where necessary and set the path. Be prepared to go ‘off road’ if that means showing the real you and that you are more than just a set of qualifications on paper. Give your interviewer as much opportunity as possible to dig deeper into your successes and skills. Of course don’t Dominate the Conversation share it 50/50. Use your common sense. Less than six questions in an hour of interview means you are talking too much. More than twelve says that you’re not contributing enough.
5. Control the Close
- This is your last chance to shine. Ask the interviewer whether you have what they are looking for. Yes? Then ask what the next stage in the process is. If they say no then ask them where you are falling short. Identify the objections and address then there and then. It’s your last chance to win a second interview. Take it with both hands.
Author:
Logan Odell is a freelance author and has the vast knowledge in Pharmacy Recruitment Agencies and Nurses Recruitment Agencies. For more information on Employment Agencies he suggests you to visit: http://www.gotorecruitment.co.uk