Thought for the day!
Thought for the day!
natashabekker
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You have got this!!
natashabekker
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You have got this!!
Perfecting your interview skills
natashabekker
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Perfecting your interview skills
PERFECTING YOUR INTERVIEW SKILLS.
About a 2 minute read.
Successfully navigating an interview is a skill, but for many, it can be a daunting experience. However, like any skill, interview skills can be trained and developed. Preparing for every part of the interview will assist in making you a successful candidate.
Below are some important tips that will help with interviewing;
Prepare – Doing research into the company you are interviewing with is imperative. It shows a level of commitment to the employer and allows you to tailor your answers accordingly. Also, using online mediums, explore the possible questions that might be asked and prepare appropriate answers. It might help to role play with someone so you can get instant feedback.
Look the part – A candidate once attended an interview in beach shorts and flip flops because the dress code said, “smart casual”. On paper, he was a good fit, but his appearance meant he was not offered the role. Bearing in mind that interviewers form an opinion about you within seconds of meeting you, it is important that your dress code speaks well of you. It will also give you a confidence boost. Once again, it might help to get a second opinion of your chosen outfit.
Control your nerves – This is easier said than done. Interviewers can sense nerves from a handshake or tone of greeting. A firm handshake while maintaining eye contact will dispel any notion of nerves. Controlling your nerves will also allow you to give the best account of yourself. Pausing before answering questions, taking deep breaths, and asking for clarification are good techniques for overcoming nerves.
Be Professional – Employers go out of their way to make sure the interview is conducted in a relaxed manner. However, this is not an invitation for informal behaviour. For example, swearing in an interview is a complete no-no. Remember you are still making an impression, so it is very important that you conduct yourself in the way you would like to be remembered. Also, bad mouthing a previous or current employer does not sit well with interviewers. It shows you will have no problem doing the same in future if employed by the company in question.
Ask questions – It is vital to ask questions as it shows a keenness to understand the company/role better. Also, asking questions places the onus on the interviewer to sell the role and the company to you.
There are other factors that determine interview success i.e. experience, compensation etc., however, it should not deter you from giving the best account of yourself and leaving an impression.
WHAT COLOUR TO WEAR AND WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW??
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WHAT COLOUR TO WEAR AND WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW??
WHAT COLOUR TO WEAR AND WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW??
by Zoe Merson-Davies #Tips #Interview
What colour to wear for your upcoming job interview?? How do I choose the right colours and what do those colour choices mean?
For first job interviews, as a general rule, it is recommended that you wear conservative colours such as navy blue, mid to dark gray, black or brown, in a suit (for both men and women) or a classic dress for women. Choose any of these conservative colours with a white, off-white or pastel blouse or shirt to soften the look, and add an accent of colour to add energy and personality – for men this accent colour will be in their tie, while for women it will be in their jewellery or a scarf.
Medium to dark colours are most business-like, authoritative and conservative and usually the best option for job interviews.
Lighter colours are friendlier and less threatening, but they lack power.
The more serious and high-powered the position you are applying for, the darker and more conservative the choice of colour should be.
The following is a list of colours and their meanings – read this list to find which colour or colours communicate the messages you wish to send out to your interviewer. Choose a base colour such as dark blue, gray or black, for example, and add accents of colour to show some of your personality.
NAVY BLUE is probably the best option for first job interviews as it elicits a positive response from most interviewers. It is a professional colour which adds an impression of authority, confidence, trust, honesty, loyalty, stability, reliability and credibility. Many bosses see it as the colour of the team player.
GREY gives an impression of sophistication and professionalism. While it is a strong and powerful colour, it is non-confrontational and does not distract – and it is less intimidating than black. Always add another colour accent (not gray), in your tie, scarf or jewellery if you choose grey for a suit or dress.
BLACK is a powerful and authoritarian colour that can be seen as sophisticated or intimidating. It is associated with strength and leadership and is a good choice for an interview in the legal sector – otherwise, use it as an accent colour in a tie or scarf or jewellery. Although many young people love wearing black, they need to realize that wearing black is intimidating and aggressive and may cause the interviewer to become defensive. It can also put a barrier between them and the interviewer. At the same time, wearing some black can add confidence to an applicant who is a little unsure of them self.
BROWN gives the impression that you are confident, dependable, reliable and flexible, but it can also be seen as dated and old-fashioned. It is a friendly and approachable colour that works well for many industrial job interviews.
WHITE suggests simplicity, organization and cleanliness. It is a great choice for a shirt or blouse to go with a navy, grey, black or brown suit.
RED is over-powering and attention-seeking and not suitable to wear to an interview except as an accent colour. It exudes energy, passion and confidence as well as aggression, arrogance and anger. Use sparingly, especially for a first interview!
MAROON or BURGUNDY or WINE-COLOUR is an acceptable form of red for a woman’s suit but not as good as navy, gray or black.
GREEN, YELLOW, PURPLE and ORANGE are distracting and memorable colours that are more suitable to creative or media jobs. Use these colours carefully as they don’t always elicit a positive response in job interviews. Green is sometimes viewed negatively as an untrustworthy colour, while orange can look unprofessional and cheap. Yellow and purple are associated with unusual creative types and often not liked by older males. Use these colours very sparingly for job interviews, if at all.
Women tend to react more positively to blue based colours, such as deep blue-reds, most blues, blue-greys, most pinks, and blue-greens. Use these colours when being interviewed by a female.
To men, the yellow based colours are more attractive. True reds and orange reds, peachy-apricot along with most blues are best. Use these colours if being interviewed by a male, but only in small quantities and as an accent colour.
BLUE is the most universally liked colour, and it creates a positive response from both men and women. It is the safest colour to use for job interviews as it is conservative and non-confrontational and loved universally by men and women in most cultures.