Everyone is a little nervous when put into a new situation, and a job interview can be quite nerve-wracking. However, with a little thought and preparation, you can take a lot of the anxiety out of the situation, so you present yourself in the best possible light.
Here are some tips to help you get started.
Preparation
Do some research. Find out what sort of a company Apprenticeships Queensland is, understand how group training works, and find out as much as you can about the vocation you are choosing.
Update your resume and put it neatly into a folder, along with copies of references, school results (if applicable), records of training, qualifications etc.
If you are really nervous, get someone at home, or one of your friends, to do a “mock” interview with you, so you can practice how you will use the information you found in your research. Get them to ask the “typical” questions you may get at an interview, so you have time to think about how you will answer them. There are some suggested questions at the end of this page.
Be on time! This is very important. First impressions are vital to creating a rapport with the interviewer. It will not look good if you are late. If something unexpected happens, like getting caught in traffic, ring and let the interviewer know.
Dress appropriately. Wear something that suits the type of work you are applying for. For example, if you were being interviewed for a job in business, you would need to be more smartly dressed than if you were going for a trade position. Regardless of what you choose, your clothes must be clean and tidy (no holes, frayed edges, stains etc.), your hair should be clean and styled, and closed-in footwear is advised (no thongs).
At the Interview
You have only one chance at creating a great first impression, and only 30 seconds to do it in. If you don’t, you will have to work a lot harder throughout the interview to cancel out the rough start.
Greet the interviewer, who will most likely have already introduced himself or herself. If you can’t remember their name, don’t freeze – just say “Hello, I’m”– and then your name.
Be aware of your posture. Sit still but relaxed – don’t slouch, and if you are a “fiddler”, try to keep it under control. Excessive gesturing such as waving your hands, playing with your hair, touching your face, drumming you fingers etc. is very distracting for the interviewer.
Make eye contact with the interviewer, but don’t just stare blankly. People from some cultural backgrounds find eye contact quite difficult, but just do the best you can. It shows you are interested in the job, and what the interviewer is doing.
Try to relax. This is hard if you are a naturally nervous type of personality, but the interviewer knows that they are putting you under some stress, and will overlook it, up to a point. The main thing is to be relaxed enough to tell them about yourself and how good you would be in this job.
Finishing the Interview
Most people feel that this can be the most awkward part of the process, as they are often not sure when it is over! Take your cue from the interviewer – they will generally indicate, either through what they say or by standing up, that the interview is over.
This is important. Remember to thank them for their time, be clear about when you will be advised if you’ve got the job, and if they extend their hand for a handshake, make it a good one. Practice with others if you have to. Ask them what your handshake feels like – is it a “wet fish”, or a good, firm, handshake. Use your whole hand, not just the tips of your fingers, gentle but firm pressure, and make it quick – one or two seconds. A person’s handshake can leave just as lasting an impression as the first greeting at the beginning of the interview.
Common questions asked at interviews
“Tell me a bit about yourself.”
“What did you do in any previous employment.”
“Do you know anything about our organisation.”
“What experience do you have in this type of work.”
“What are your strengths/weaknesses.”
“What is important to you in a job.”
“Tell me about a recent achievement you’ve had.”
“What do you want to be doing in 5 years time.”
“Would you like to ask any questions.”
Obviously, these are just a sample of many that could be asked, but every interview will generally contain a few of these, in some form. Spend some time before the interview thinking of how you will answer these questions.
And finally, when the interviewer asks “Would you like to ask any questions”, if you can’t think of anything not already discussed, try to summarise the interview by saying something like “I think you have already been through everything I need to know. Thank you for your time and I’ll wait to hear from you.” If that doesn’t sound like you, put it in your words. It will bring the interview to a comfortable close, and give you the opportunity to use that handshake you have perfected.
Good luck!
