Secrets behind interview success!

Having already completed my first degree in Neuroscience and currently going through my second degree in Dental Surgery, I have been through quite a few interviews. I have gained some valuable experiences from these interviews, mostly from the mistakes I made, but the important thing is that I learnt from every mistake I made. This article highlights the Do's and Dont's of an interview so please feel free to take any advice with you.

Apart from preparing well for the interview questions, it is equally important to appreciate interview techniques. Interviewers do not only look at the way you answer your questions, but play close attention to minor details such as the way you sit and speak.

This section highlights the techniques you should employ during any sort of interview to ensure you make a good impression.

The following points should be considered in your preparation for an interview.

Punctuality

Punctuality is an essential attribute that you must possess to be successful in any career. When you are notified about having an interview, you will also be given a time and date. Make sure you write this down or record it somewhere so you don’t forget.

Coming late to an interview is suicidal. The interviewers will already have a negative impression towards you so you will have to climb a mountain to get their approval.

Try to leave for the interview with plenty of time to spare. For example if it will take you an hour to reach your interview destination, then you should leave at least three hours before the start of your interview. This will ensure that you will make it on time despite any travel problems you may face on the way. If you have an interview in London, then expect travel delays. It happens all the time.

Arriving on time will already put you in the interviewer’s good books so DO NOT BE LATE!

Presentation

The way you present yourself at an interview is one of the most important factors. This is the way interviewers silently judge you so you should make sure that you do everything possible to stay in their good books. As quoted by James Caan (Dragons Den) “If you are not prepared to invest in the way you display yourself, why should you expect to be successful?”

Take into consideration the following points:

1)      Dress Code – It is important to dress smartly when you attend your interview. Most individuals wear a suit with a tie, but if you don’t own a suit then don’t worry. Wearing a smart shirt with trousers should be sufficient. The interviewers just want to know that you can dress professionally. Try not to look too flashy, but keep it simple. Just put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes, what would you expect the applicant to wear?

Another important point is IRON YOUR CLOTHES! It may sound obvious but you will be surprised of the number of individuals who turn up with creased clothes. This will not go down well with your interviewers.

Finally, try and smell good too. Applying a few sprays of perfume will certainly gain you points rather than take them away. It’s the easy things that you should try and accomplish so you have no excuses for not smelling good. However, don’t apply too much perfume or it will give a sense of desperation. On that note, many individuals have a cigarette before an interview to calm their nerves. Try and avoid this as it really does not give a good impression of yourself.

2)      Body Language – Body language is another aspect of presentation. The way you sit tells someone a lot about you. You should aim to look confident and enthusiastic. Don’t slouch and lean back on your chair because this gives the impression that you aren’t serious. Sit upright and leave your hands either on your lap or the table. When you are listening to the interviewers try not to fidget but act calm and composed. Individuals have a habit of twiddling their fingers, shaking their legs and even playing with their hair. When you speak, use slight hand gestures as it shows your enthusiasm and passion; but don’t overdo it.

Speech

The way you speak is a fundamental factor in your interview. The interviewers have to be able to understand what you say in order for you to stand a chance of getting in. Speak clearly and loud so you get your point across, but don’t shout either. It’s normal to be nervous, but make sure your voice isn’t shaky as this shows you cannot overcome your nerves. Be calm, cool and collected.

Your tone of voice is another aspect you should consider. You should try and personify your enthusiasm in the way you speak. Sound interested and capture your interviewer’s attention. Sounding monotonous will give the impression that you are not passionate about and will earn you negative points.

Another point to consider when speaking is your flow. When you answer a question it is easy to give the impression that you have rehearsed it intensely. Try not to sound like a machine spitting sentences. You want to give the impression that the answer comes naturally to you, not the impression that you are reciting it. Take a breath before answering a question to avoid sounding like a machine.

Finally, don’t speak over the interviewers. Nobody likes being spoken over. Let them finish their sentence, take a breath, and then speak.

Attention

Interviewers like to know that you are attentive throughout the whole interview. Again, this highlights your enthusiasm and professionalism. Several actions can determine your attentiveness throughout an interview. Firstly, eye contact. Ensure that you are constantly making eye contact with your interviewers. If you have more than one interviewer, then shift your attention constantly between them. This shows that you are interested in what they have to say, and more importantly shows interest in what you are saying.

Also, when being spoken to, occasionally nod your head to tell the interviewers that you understand them and that you are still attentive.

 Confidence

It is important that you look and sound confident during an interview. Confidence is a sign of success and will ensure the interviewers that you are suitable for a role in their organisation. Small signs such as body language and speech can portray an individual’s confidence. Having said that, it is important that you don’t present yourself as an arrogant person. There is a big difference between confidence and arrogance. You should take pride in what you say and believe that you are a good candidate, but don’t give the impression that you think the world of yourself and are better than everybody else including the interviewers. Be confident and humble. Not arrogant and obnoxious.

 Personal Statement

Your personal statement is the first piece of information that an institution receives about you, so make sure that it is done to the best of your abilities.

Regarding your interview, your personal statement plays an important role. You are likely to be asked a few questions on things you have written on your personal statement. For example, questions about work experience or voluntary work are based on your personal statement. Bearing this in mind, make sure you read your personal statement in depth before going for your interview. You do not want to be a situation where you are being asked about something based on your personal statement which you have no idea about. Your interview will essentially be over!

If you consider most of the points mentioned in this section, then your interview should hopefully be a success. Interviews can be extremely stressful and cause a lot of nerves, but who doesn’t get nervous before an interview? Especially if you are passionate about it. So don’t worry about being nervous. It's normal. What you should do is use those nerves to ensure you give the best impression of yourself.

Remember, preparation is key! Ensure that you have prepared everything to the maximal extent. If possible, get a friend or family member to give you a mock interview so you get a feel of what it’s like. If you prepare well, taking into consideration all the points mentioned in this section, then there is no reason why your interview will not be a success. So relax, prepare and good luck!

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”

Benjamin Franklin