Interviews for jobs, whether internal or external, are daunting prospects, yet so many of us don't prepare enough - sometimes,
not at all!

Why?

Because you think you know it all - after all, you know your resume back to front, don't you? After all, it's your career....

But context is everything. It's how you relate to the position in question - how do you fit in to the company, how your career ambitions mesh with the needs of your potential employer.

Where do you start?

Lets assume you've successfully passed the first hurdle, written that winning résumé and cover letter and been invited for an interview.

Do you just turn up and hope to get by? Of course not! After all that effort, building your self esteem, putting your resume together, gaining the interview, do you really want to blow it? You may have started as one out of a hundred candidates, now you are down to one of a few, perhaps three or four. Your chances have moved from 1% to 25% !

So, prepare.

How to make the maximum impact at Job Interviews

Here I can give you a general run down on the key factors in your goal of passing the interview and getting an offer for a job.

I have also researched the market for the best job interview books, websites and products, so you can select what's right for you. I'll let you know where I believe they are of most value to you, so you can chose.

Another point - don't you think the people you are competing against for your next job have combed through all the FREE job search engines interviewing information online? Be one better than them, and follow through here.

Preparation for the Job Interview

The most important thing to do is prepare.
- Ask for a Job Specification
- Rehearse answers to the expected questions
- Ensure that you can answer all the standard questions (see below)
- However - do not learn parrot fashion!
- Turn up on time; dress formally
- Be confident in your bearing - firm handshake, relaxed but enthusiastic

Standard Questions

Below are 12 of the most standard questions - ones you might ask yourself. Rehearse the answers; use the books below to help you understand that how you answer is as important as what you day.

1. Tell me about yourself
2. What are your key strengths?
3. What are your weaknesses?
4. Describe a situation where you failed to meet an objective or target.
5. Why do you want this job?
6. Why do you want to leave your present job?
7. Why should we choose you rather than somebody else?
8. What is your management style?
9. If you get the job, what will you do for the first week/month?
10.Can you give me an example of how you ....&.....?
11.Describe how you would run ….. in the department.
12.There are internal candidates for this job. How would you deal with them if you were successful?

The above is a selection of the most common questions. It illustrates the value of being prepared!

The Job Interview Itself

You have probably heard of the guy who says he can judge whether a candidate is suitable as soon as he walks through the door. This seems crazy, but it is very near the truth, and a lot of the interview can be spent by the interviewer subconsciously trying to justify his initial snap judgment. How can you influence it?

Analysis by psychologists, based on exhaustive research of real situations, has come up with the following statistics - we make judgments of others based on:

- Appearance 55%
- Behavior 38%
- What you say 7%

So, how can you increase your chances before you even open your mouth?

Let's go through the three areas: Appearance The company you attend for interview will have a "dress code" - formal, semi-formal, casual. However, for an interview it is always best to dress formally, in a suit or smart dress. No loud ties or ostentatious jewelry. Also, be clean and well groomed! It is extraordinary that some turn up for interview smelling like they'd slept in their clothes and hadn't shaved. Include a breath freshener if you have a problem there.

Behavior Allow plenty of time to get to the office, and arrive five or ten minutes beforehand. Not only does this ensure you are not late, but it gives you a chance to be calm. Stay standing up, as there is nothing worse than trying to get up from a low chair, fold a newspaper, and shake hands, all at the same time!

Your body language is a big provider of subconscious signs. Come forward confidently, and shake hands firmly without squeezing - power handshakes are not a very clever idea in this situation. Direct eye contact is important at this point, but keep it natural, without staring.

When sitting, if possible angle your seat so you can sit comfortably and relaxed, but facing your interviewer. The way he sits gives you clues as to how he feels, so you could possibly copy - leaning forward when showing enthusiasm, and so on. His body language is a guide to yours.

During the interview, keep up regular eye contact and smile, to show your interest.

What you say

Listen to the questions! Ensure you hear the questions properly. Good answers will reinforce the impression given from your appearance and behavior - bad answers will destroy it!

Listen and only answer the question, no more, as this could leave you open to unexpected and awkward follow on questions - especially for graduates.

Pause to consider your answers - that shows you are considering them properly. The first part of this chapter was about preparation, so you should not be nervous at this stage.

Though only 7% of the selection decision is based on what you say, the statistics assume that you match the job you are going for perfectly - so you can still screw up if you don't get it right.

Lastly, remember your own questions! The typical questions listed above can be used in reverse - for example, what is their management style? So have your own questions ready.

Follow Up

When you've had that all important interview, even if you feel you have been put through the wringer, give it a few days and ring up (do NOT email) and express enthusiasm for the job, then ask how is the process going. That added reminder to the interviewer might tip the balance - assuming, of course, you actually want the job now you know more about it!

Books & eBooks on Job Interviews and Interview Techniques

a) 201 Best Answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions by Matthew J Deluci This books majors on its comprehensive list of potential questions, giving detailed advice on how to answer each one. They are divided into categories, and it is well worth your while to have this as a handy reference for all your future job interviews.
For ordering through the US, click here.
For ordering through the UK, click here.

b) How to Turn an Interview into a Job - by Jeffrey G. Allen. Heavy on interview techniques and controlling the interview, I highly recommend this book for those going for senior positions. It goes much more into the psychology of behavior, and marketing yourself, plus extracting more information from the interviewer.
For ordering through the US, click here.
For ordering through the UK, click here.

c) The Perfect Interview by John D.Drake This excellent book is my pick for Job Interviews. It starts by covering how to tap the job market, and runs through detailed preparation, not just sorting through a list of possible questions, but researching the company, and finding out background information. On the actual interview in goes into timing, dress, behavior right through to after-interview actions.
For ordering through the US, click here.
For ordering through the UK, click here.

ELECTRONIC BOOKS

a) Job Interview.net is an interesting site, as it covers three aspects in separate offerings:
New Job Interview
Promotion Interview
Interviews from the interviewer's perspective.

On the interviewee side, it has a well crafted book on how to convince the interviewers that you really want the job and interview questions, follow-up, practice sessions and so on.

The Promotion Interview is a must if you are looking for internal promotion. Although it looks at it from the aspect of going for a supervisory job, the contents are very relevant for anyone in or going for management positions.

To get an idea how your interviewer is thinking, there is also a well researched Interviewers Guide book on what interview questions to ask - so you can see things from the company perspective
Check out the site here.

b) Interviewing Secrets Revealed by Gregg Podalsky, This electronic book is designed specifically to ensure you market yourself. It has a daily interview tips service which is naff - like "be prepared beforehand" and "don't get nervous". Go for the book as the contents teach not just how to answer the questions, but job interview techniques, and behavior, so that you can come over more positively.
Check out the site here.

c) Job Interview Answers by Job Interview Questions & New Era Publishing This is my favorite, as not only is it a book, covering all the points above, but also includes new software that allows you to carry out your own Mock interview tests and practice IQ Tests. You can use it again and again, and actually group the questions you are expecting.
This is well worth the investment, so click here for more.

d) Your Career Strategy - by Paul Hogwood This ebook takes a holistic view of finding your ideal job, and from sorting what you are best at, though constructing your résumé or CV, to researching target jobs, then interviewing for the job. As it is so important not to treat your job interview in isolation, I recommend you treat this book as the basis for your overall career strategy.
To find out more, click here.