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How to WOW at First Interviews. Great hints, tips and advice to succeed at interview

Free Interview Preparation Advice - The easy way to prepare and 'WOW' at interviews - The interview itself

First impressions Count

Human beings are a very judgemental species. Apparently Men make a decision on whether they like someone in two minutes and women in thirty seconds. I think thirty seconds and instinctively instantly would be more accurate! What is a fact is that it then takes twenty minutes of positives to change that initial opinion. So leave the Homer Simpson tie and fluorescent pink socks in your wardrobe!

Keep your appearance conservative - dark suits, white blouse/shirts, etc. Women, in particular pay very close attention to hands and shoes so pay that attention to the detail, clean fingernails, polished shoes, subtle aftershave/perfume, etc. Don't overdo the 'bling', keep tattoos covered,

Turn up on Time

If the journey is going to take forty five minutes - allow an hour and a quarter. Arrive 'early and calm' rather than 'just in time and frantic'. En route, take fifteen minutes in silence to imagine yourself in the role, your responsibilities, the requirements. If nervous spend the remainder of journey listening to some favourite loud music, particularly 'anthem' songs that you can sing along to. Raise those endorphins and arrive totally focussed, pepped up and 'in the zone!'

Upon Arrival

Go into reception ten minutes early; be friendly, polite and pleasant to everyone that you meet - the person in overalls that nods at you as you walk into the building could be the CEO.

It's the little things that often make the big difference. If you found the directions easy to follow, if you like the receptionists tie, the flowers on reception, the company logo, whatever, then say it BUT only say it if you mean it!

PA's and Receptionists are often asked their opinions, their 'gut feel' as part of the decision process (particularly in smaller companies) so that five minutes of pleasantries with reception about the weather, the traffic and how easy you found them, could clinch you the role.

Upon arrival, read the literature, sit calmly, and make notes. Alternatively you could remain standing as this creates an impression of energy and importance and quite literally keeps you 'on your toes!'

Smile

Smiling costs nothing, give you confidence and people's perception of you will be more positive! Smile at everyone you meet and pass. The perfect Hollywood smile is one where you go to bite into an imaginary apple (try it in front of a mirror it's hilarious). However always smile with your eyes and mean it - women in particular can pick up on a false smile (and are more instinctive in picking up untruths, falseness and fake laughter)

Handshake & Eye Contact

Ensure your handshake is confident but not too firm - in the UK a solid grip (not a vice grip) and three 'pumps' of the shake is the norm. When you meet the interviewer for the first time look at their eyes long enough to register their eye colour and think of someone who they remind you of - this will be perfect initial eye contact and enable you to remember them on sight for the next meeting!

Plan Your 'Small Talk'

Prepare beforehand the small talk that you will use to get though that initial 'sounding each other out' stage. Talk about (non contentious) current affairs, how nice the offices are, how friendly the receptionist is, how easy to find the offices were, how good the tea is. If all else fails talk about the weather - but whatever small talk you make ensure that it's positive - they want to hire a winner not a whiner! Maintain solid, but natural eye contact, nod in agreement, use open handed hand gestures

Take a notepad into every interview and use it!

Taking a notepad will make you come across more professional and interested in the role (and help you remember what was discussed in order to prepare for the second interview!). Ask to take down notes - you'll get a 'brownie point' for being polite, let them subtly see the research that you have undertaken in preparation for the meeting. Invest in a document case where you can have your pad on the right side and your interview questions and even a list of your strengths and aspirations to the left side. When you get that tough question - a quick dart down to your left and you'll be back on track.

Build Rapport and Mirror the Interviewer

Mirror the style of the interviewer. Subtly mirror their body language - if they lean back, lean back yourself, if they use expressive hand movements do so yourself, try and talk at the same pace in the same range of tones. If you breathe at the same pace as the interviewer you will find yourself communicating at a similar pace. BUT be natural, don't try to be someone that you are not and use natural body language. Over-emphasised body language is very easy to spot, makes you comes across as staged and contrived. I have even had interviewees come across as 'weird' or 'intense' because they took this mirroring advice far too literally so beware!

Listen!

We're all heard the cliché two ears and one mouth - but it is imperative at interview. Listen to what's not being said as much as what is! Observe body language, eye movement and ensure the interviewer is engaged by what you have to say. Don't monopolise the conversation, be succinct in your answers and don't waffle. Ask acknowledgement questions i.e. 'did that answer your question' to ensure that the interviewer is engaged. Don't tell anecdotes unless they are highly relevant to the question and are backing up your case. If asked questions such as 'give an example of a risk that you have taken', 'what's the biggest regret of your life' always answer them in a way that will show you in the best positive light. Skilled interviewers will lull you into a 'false sense of security' and before you know it your telling them that your idea of a perfect holiday is drinking twenty pints of lager a night!

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