Interviews Inside Out, Cont.

24. Do reflect the interviewer’s communication style.  Allow the interviewer to set the tone of conversation.  Mirroring their style can vastly improve your chances of making a favourable impression.

25. Do pause to reflect before answering the question.  This will avoid an interview full of “umms” and “ahhs”.  If you have been given a glass of water, sit, think, reflect and have a drink before launching into your response.

26. Do put together a portfolio of your work to present at an interview.  It may not always be looked at during an interview, but presenting examples of your work can strengthen your claims for a position, and it also demonstrates your initiative and innovation.  Things to put in a portfolio include reports you have written, screen dumps of computer applications you use, certificates, awards, letters of recommendation, performance appraisals and so on.  (Be sure that you are not breaching any copyright, security restrictions or intellectual property before including something in your portfolio).

27. DO ASK A QUESTION!  If you are asked at the end of the interview if you have any questions, the answer is always YES!  More than anything it shows that you have prepared, and interviewers love to see applicants who are well prepared and motivated about the position.

28. Do remain focussed on what the employer wants.  Don’t bring up conditions of service during the interview unless someone else brings it up first.  The interview is supposed to be about you being suitable for the position, not the other way around.  This is something that you can research yourself as most organisations will have their Award, Certified Agreement or equivalent published on the Internet.  If it’s really important to you, ask later, once the selection process is over.