Interview Tips

Surviving a job interview…..it’s all in the preparation. Preparation can make the difference between landing the job of your dreams and getting rejected. Job interviewing can be a very daunting and nerve-racking experience. Here are a few tips on how to not only survive the experience, but make it a successful occasion as well.

• Plan and prepare: Think about the job you are applying for. Research the company and position by looking on their website to find out what they do and call their office to request an information kit. Find out as much as you can about what the company makes, sells or offers. The more you know and understand the better prepared you will be.
• Dress for success: Dress according to the position eg. Business attire for an administration traineeship and smart casual for a trade apprenticeship.
• Be on time: Arrive 15 minutes early to make a great first impression and allow extra travel time in case of traffic or public transport delays.
• Resume: Make sure your resume is on clean paper and NOT creased or folded.
• Establish a rapport: Smile and be friendly.
• Ask questions: Prepare your questions in advance, such as what hours will be required and what work day is preferable for the employer.
• Don't discuss wages: Generally this will be discussed at the second interview.
• Be a good listener: Listen to what the employer tells you about the organisation and the position - generally they will ask you questions based on this information.
• Be enthusiastic: Sell yourself! Let the employer know you want the job.
• First impressions count: Generally most employers will come back to you within 1-2 weeks, if you haven't heard contact the employer to gain feedback.

What to wear to an interview

The key is to choose clothes to show you'll fit in with the company 'look' or 'culture'. If you can, check out what their employees in advance are wearing and try to match that. If anything, be conservative. Stay away from lots of jewellery. Take out or cover up non-mainstream piercings/tattoos.

Example outfit for an Office Administration Traineeship:

Males:

• business attire - a suit if you have one
• dark business shoes - remember to polish
• business shirt
• socks the same colour as your trousers (match trousers and shoes, keep the cartoon birthday socks for BBQs)
• neat haircut (if you have long hair, tie it back)
• keep jewellery to a minimum

Females:

• business attire - a suit if you have one
• court shoes - remember to polish
• neat haircut (if you have long hair, tie it back)
• remove chipped nail polish
• makeup - keep to a minimum
• stockings (if wearing a skirt)
• be careful not to use too much perfume

Example outfit for a Carpentry Apprenticeship:

Males:

• jeans and a collared shirt
• clean shoes
• neat haircut
• keep jewellery to a minimum

Females:

• smart casual outfit - jeans and collared shirt
• clean shoes
• neat hair
• remove chipped nail polish
• makeup - keep to a minimum

Job Interview Techniques

First Impressions Last

Your appearance makes an instant impression when meeting people for the first time. In the first 30 seconds interviewers will tend to evaluate you by something like:

50% - the way we dress, act and walk through the door
40% - the quality of our voice grammar and overall confidence
10% - from what we actually say

Presentation & Grooming

• have a shower, wash your hair and shave on the morning of the interview
• have your clothes either dry-cleaned or washed and ironed properly
• cut and clean nails and wear clear, pale nail polish
• limit the amount of perfume, aftershave, jewellery you wear
• have a haircut, beard trim and neck shave if needed
• clean shoes
• wear something you feel comfortable in (if not use to wearing a tie or makeup - don't wear it)

Body Language / Non-Verbal Communication

Things you should do...

• smile
• maintain eye contact
• sit up straight
• slightly lean forward in chair
• acknowledge all people conducting interview
• nod when appropriate
• arrive 5-10 minutes early
• give good firm handshake
• turn your mobile phone off

Things you don't do...

• fidget, touch things on the interviewers desk
• shake your leg, flick hair, sniff, scratch
• yawn, look at watch at anytime
• slouch, lean back, cross arms / legs
• smoke, chew gum, swear or use slang
• stare, look too serious
• make any bodily noises
• appear overly nervous or rushed
• answer your mobile phone

Practice the answers to questions the employer may ask

Typical questions include:

• what parts of this job interest you the most?
• what do you consider your special skills and abilities are?
• what is your experience in this type of work?
• what do you know about our company?
• are you active in any clubs or community organisations
• what are you leisure activities/hobbies/interests?
• why do you think you would be suitable as an apprentice or trainee?
• what are your strengths/ weaknesses?
• as an apprentice or trainee, what would you have to offer us?
• which of your school subjects interested you most?
• how would you manage study and work while undertaking your apprenticeship or traineeship?
• what do you know about an apprenticeship or traineeship in this area?
• what are your long term career plans?
• how do you feel about working part of a team?
• would you be prepared to work overtime or on weekends if required?

Prepare some questions you can ask the employer

Some examples include:

• where would I be working?
• who would I be working with?
• what are some of the jobs I’ll be doing as an apprentice or trainee?
• what will my hours of work be?
• if I get accepted as an apprentice or trainee, when would I start?
• how will the training and study be planned?
• where will I do the off-the-job training?
• what is the next step in this process?
• when will I know if I am successful?

If you don’t get the job. Be persistent. The more applications for apprenticeships or traineeships you write, the more interviews you might have …. And the better you will perform