So you’ve landed yourself an interview – congratulations! Your potential new employer obviously liked what they’ve seen on paper, now all you’ve got to do is make a good impression in person. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Well, it is, or can be if you pay attention to the details. To help you out we’ve come up with a quick list of simple “Do’s and Don’ts” that might just make the difference between getting you over the line or falling short at the last hurdle.
So let’s take a look…
DO: Clear Up Your Social Media Accounts
You either know this one already or wonder what on earth we are on about. You can be 100% certain that your potential new employer has looked you up on social media, as they’ve done with the other candidates they will be interviewing. That’s a simple fact. Now ask yourself, what are they doing to find? Sure, it’s your personal account and it’s quite ok to have pictures of your family, the dog, your last holiday etc. All of that makes you human and gives them some insight into who you are.
That said, all of the above needs to be appropriate. What you don’t want them to see is the pictures of you drunk and passed out in a flowerbed somewhere. See what we are saying here? Heavy parties, inappropriate images or comments, swearing online… it just doesn’t make for a good impression.
DON’T: Play On Your Phone While Waiting
Wait professionally, don’t sit in the waiting area before your interview and play on your phone. There’s a time and a place for Facebook, WhatsApp etc, and this isn’t it. Instead put your phone away until after and get your head in the game.
DO: Your Research
This is pretty straight forward, it goes without saying that it’s a good idea to do some research about the role and the company you are hoping to work for. Remember they want to employ someone who is excited about the business, excited about joining the team etc. If you’ve done a bit of research you’ll be able to hold the conversation, ask intelligent questions and it would be clear all round that you’ve made an effort.
DON’T: Talk Trash
Never… EVER, say anything negative about your current/last employer. If you are looking for a new job because you are unhappy in your current job, you hate your manager, they steal your lunch… whatever the root of your unhappiness – keep it to yourself. If you get asked why you are looking for something new rather put a positive spin on it. Laying out the dirty laundry will just damage the interviewer’s impression of you and will make you look unprofessional, so don’t go there.
DO: Remember First Impressions Count
Speaking of impressions, they really do count. Probably in a bigger way than what you realise and it goes way beyond the person interviewing you. Be polite, courteous and professional towards every single person you encounter. Every one of those people will be assessing your potential fit in the team. The receptionist and whoever else you’ve been in contact with will be reporting their impressions of you to the interviewer later, you can be 100% sure of that, especially in smaller to mid-sized businesses. So don’t blow it by something as silly as not greeting someone properly.
DON’T: What Did You Eat?
We can hardly believe we’re even writing this, but it’s a really important one. Don’t eat anything weird or smelly before the interview. Heaps of garlic the night before is just not going to do you any favours on the day. I’m not going to say any more on the matter, just keep it fresh.
So there you go, a few very simple (but really important) do’s and don’ts to keep in mind for your upcoming interview. Remember, it’s all in the details. Stay positive and be confident, it’s going to go well. Remember your recruiter is there to help you, so if you feel unsure about anything or have any questions, don’t hesitate to give him or her a call.
Good luck!
The Holt Recruitment Team