Preparation

 Research the employer and become familiar with the position for which you are
interviewing.
 Determine your strengths or key selling points.
 Prepare questions to ask about areas that are unclear.
 Anticipate questions the interviewer may ask, including "What if?" questions.
 Role-play the interview.
 Practice speaking with confidence.
 Wear job-appropriate clothing, avoiding loud colours, excessive jewellery, and too
much cologne.
Women: Avoid big earrings and things that jingle; avoid patterns and bright
colours; keep make-up light and natural; hair should be kept neatly combed and
not hanging in the face.
Men: Wear a suit with a white shirt neatly pressed; keep ties conservative; wear
dark, over the calf socks that match the suit; clean shaven or neatly trimmed facial
hair; make sure your shoes are clean and polished.
 Be punctual.
 Walk into the interview room confidently, greeting the
interviewers and shake their hands firmly.

Selling Yourself
A job interview is like a sales presentation. Good salespersons always
begin their presentation by selling themselves before they start selling
their services. You can best achieve this by establishing a rapport
verbally and non-verbally in the opening minutes by the following
means:
 Giving a firm handshake;
 Establishing eye contact and smiling;
 Using the interviewer's name;
 Giving their undivided attention;
 Showing that you accept and respect the interviewer;
 Demonstrating respect for your employer and colleagues;
 Showing calmness and confidence;
 Looking the part and being well-groomed.

Interviewers like:
 Good Manner - polite, sincere and alert;
 Presentation - clear, concise and well prepared;
 Timekeeping - punctuality, and no time wasting;
 Knowledge - good knowledge of the company (both working in and applying for);
 Sensitivity to Needs - listening, and not trying to sell where there is no need;
 Appearance - smart, fresh, and clean appropriate dress.

Questions
Questions to prepare for:
  Tell me about yourself
 What do you know about our organisation?
 Why do you want to work for us?
 Why should we give you the job?
 What other jobs have you applied for?
 Why do you want to leave your current job?
 What was wrong with your current or last position?
 What do you look for in a (this) job?
 What skills and qualifications do you regard essential for success in the position
you have applied for?
 Describe your management style?
 What are your best management skills?
 What do you believe to be the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people?
 Why are you looking for a new career? Or Why are you leaving your present job?
 How would your colleagues/boss describe you?
 How would you describe yourself?
 What do you think of your present or last last employer?
 What are the five most significant accomplishments in your previous job or career
so far?
 What projects have you undertaken and whether they were successful or not?
 Can you work well under pressure?
 What are your career goals?
 What are your strong points?
 What are your weak points?

Questions to ask:
 The organisations short and long term objectives.
 In what ways has this organisation been most successful over the years?
 What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in
this position, and within what time frame?
 What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
 What are the areas in which the organisation feels it needs to make
improvements?
 What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances, etc.?
 Why is this position open?
 Where does the company think you could make effective contribution?

Do's
 Sit upright and look alert and interested.
 Maintain eye contact.
 Talk with pride, honesty, and confidence about your accomplishments, potential,
interest, and commitment to the job.
 Convey a readiness to learn on the job.

Don't Do's
 Criticise former employers.
 Answer only yes/no to questions; poor self expression.
 Be late to the interview.
 Be overbearing, aggressive, conceited "know it all" complex.
 Put too much emphasis on money.
 Put too much emphasis about the next higher job.
 Give a weak, limp handshake