4/24/2023 0 Comments Tell me about my next meeting![]() But he didn’t really have much to say himself and he didn’t really wait to hear my answer before asking the next question, so he just came across as rather anxious and scattered.’ ‘One candidate I interviewed recently asked me a non-stop string of questions about my family, the job, the company, things in the news – all sorts of things. For example, has your potential employer been in the news recently? Or could you ask about the potential impact on the company of a recent development, such as Brexit or falling share prices or a serious malware attack? In each case, make sure you have an interesting thought of your own to contribute too. Or if you’re a sports fan and you spot signs that your interviewer is too, perhaps you could ask a suitable question that you’ve also got an interesting answer to (‘Do you ever get to the matches?’ ‘So who’s going to win the Cup this year?’ etc). The key is to come up with topics where you have a shared interest, so that you’re able to both ask and answer credible questions.įor example, if you see a picture of your interviewer’s family, perhaps you could ask about them – and be ready with a family anecdote of your own. So as part of your interview preparation, it’s a good idea to think ahead to some likely topics that might come up, so as to help keep the conversation flowing smoothly. It’s a way for people to build rapport and affinity, and start to generate that elusive, intangible quality of ‘chemistry’ that characterises all effective business relationships. Getting the small talk right (or wrong) can have big consequences. So always hold your drink in your left hand!’ It was icy-cold and they must have spilled it just before we met, so my first impression was a very damp, chilly handshake. ‘One candidate I interviewed asked for a glass of water while they waited. You want to project some personality and charisma, but you also want to come across as a good fit, so if in doubt always err on the formal side. You should be able to get a good idea of the company’s typical dress code through its website and social media output, especially any content about its working culture, and your recruiter can advise you too. In everything you do, project an attitude of energy, enthusiasm and interest.Ĭlothes-wise, try to match your dress style to that of the company you’re meeting. Lean in slightly, widen your eyebrows slightly, and wait to be invited to sit down. So in those first few minutes, it’s all about smiling confidently, shaking hands firmly, making eye contact and generally looking as if you’re glad to be there and you want the job. They got quite a shock when they saw I was heading up the interview panel! But what most disappointed me was the idea that it’s appropriate to treat staff of any level in such a way.’įirst impressions count, and non-verbal cues matter even more than verbal ones. ![]() On one occasion, a candidate assumed I was an assistant, treated me in a very offhand way and rather rudely asked me to get them a drink. ‘I like to make a point of coming down to greet candidates in person. From greeting the receptionist, to the people you share a lift with, to walking through an open-plan office to reach your meeting-room… These are all touchpoints with your potential future employer, and co-workers will often share their impressions of visitors afterwards, so you want everyone who comes into contact with you to see you in as positive a light as possible. Make sure that you’re polite and friendly to everyone you come across in the interview process. Treat everyone you meet as your interviewer When I got to my next interview, I realised to my dismay the noisy moaner was my next candidate! Not a great start…’Ģ. ‘I once heard someone standing outside our building, smoking furiously and complaining loudly on their phone about the early start time of their meeting and wondering aloud why they were even there. Don’t try and cram in any last-minute facts – you want to come across as calm and organised, not flustered and under-prepared. Make conversation with the receptionist, switch off your phone and take in your surroundings – you might notice something that will make a useful small-talk topic later. Give yourself time to have a comfort break and make sure you’re hydrated. ![]() ![]() So make sure you project a friendly, confident, professional air from the moment you set off.ĭoubtless you’ll have made sure you arrive early. You never know who you might bump into as you get off your bus or train, or enter the company’s building – for all you know, your interviewer could be in the same coffee-bar queue as you. The interview starts long before you shake hands and sit down around the table. Remember the interview starts as soon as you leave the house Here’s how to start strong – together with some cautionary tales of what not to do from real interviewers…ġ. The first few moments of your interview can have a decisive impact on how well the rest of it goes.
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