Tag Archives: Interview preparation

To look beautiful – go to sleep!

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Sleep is the key to beauty!

Sleep is the key to beauty!

To look beautiful – go to sleep!

If you want to look attractive and healthy, the best thing you can do is get a good night’s sleep, the results of a new study indicate.

According to Swedish researchers, their findings mean that for the first time, there is scientific backing for the concept of beauty sleep.

They investigated the relationship between sleep and perceptions of attractiveness and health. They insisted that such research is important in today’s 24-hour society, particularly as the number of people suffering from sleep disorders and disturbed sleep is on the rise.

The study involved 23 people aged between 18 and 31. Each person was photographed between 2pm and 3pm on two occasions, once after normal sleep and once after being deprived of sleep.

Smokers were excluded from the research and no alcohol was allowed for two days prior to the experiment.

The photographs were taken in a well lit room and the distance to the camera was fixed. During both photography sessions, participants wore no make-up, had their hair loose (combed back if they had long hair) and underwent similar cleaning or shaving procedures.

They were asked to have a relaxed, neutral facial expression for both photos.

Sixty-five observers, who were blinded to the sleep status of the participants, rated the photographs for attractiveness and whether the individuals looked healthy/unhealthy or tired/not tired.

According to the researchers from the Karolinska Institute, the observers judged the faces of sleep deprived participants as less healthy, less attractive and more tired.

The team concluded that the facial signals of sleep deprived people affect facial appearance and judgments of attractiveness, health and tiredness.

Details of these findings are published in the British Medical Journal

In summary – who needs to go to the expense of face lifts, Botox or facial Therapy when all you have to do is go to sleep?!

This is also important information for all those Job Seekers out there who are attending interviews – it has been noted the difference between a job seeker turning up for an interview tired and those who get a good nights sleep before their interview.

Less is more!

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Less is more at interview

Less is more at interview

Never a truer statement was made than -

Less is More ……….

Anybody out there who is currently on the jobs market and attending interviews – a word of warning -

Easy on the perfume and aftershave!

There have been a number of comments made by Companies running interviews about the over powering scent left in the room after a number of excitable and nervous interviewees have vacated!

We all know it is important to sound, look and smell fresh and professional, but it is also too easy to over do the smells and this can be very off putting.

We also know many interviewees who would be nervous, smokers or perspiring who try to compensate – be careful, while you definitely want to leave a lasting impression – you do not want to leave a lasting scent!

Remember – Less is More!

The pre interview ‘Mirror Technique’

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Use the 'Mirror Technique' to prepare for your interview

Use the 'Mirror Technique' to prepare for your interview

The pre interview ‘Mirror Technique’ is a very effective way to prepare for an up and coming interview.

We are asked every day for advice and information on how to present yourself at interview.

One of the techniques we highly recommend is to sit in front of a mirror and interview yourself.

Another option is to ask a friend or family member to interview you, but this has disadvantages – you can become self conscious, giddy or the feedback may not be too honest! -

A mirror never lies!

This is a very useful exercise for the following reasons -

  • Do you smile enough
  • How much you fidget
  • How much you use your hands and gesticulate
  • To observe your general body language which is 84% effective, or not in an interview situation
  • Are you casual or professional
  • Do you slouch
  • Do you look to the left or right
  • Are you rigid or relaxed

By playing the role of both interviewer and interviewee, you can observe how you come across to others.

This is concentrating on Body Language and in an interview situation, this is all important

Content of your interview is another matter dealt with seperately, but this ‘Mirror Technique’ focuses primarily on how you come across

In many interview training sessions, videotape is used and played back and this is a similar method to see how you sound, look and come across at an interview.

Unfortunatley, many of us do not have the relevant equipment at home to do this, but we all have access to a mirror!

Remember, when attending an interview, practice the ‘Mirror Technique’ beforehand so you are aware how you come across and have given youself the chance to improve anything you are not happy with BEFORE the actual interview.

Good luck!

Be Prepared

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Stop and Take Note!

Stop and Take Note!

Be Prepared! The single most fatal error when going to an interview is lack of preparation.

When attending an interview you must always prepare for all eventualities. For example, if you are a Medical Sales Rep and going for a Medical Sales job interview and you are required to do a presentation, then please cover all options!

  • Do the presentation early, have it perfect so you have at least 4/5 days to practice delivering it, and practice the timing – 10 minutes with 5 minutes for questions
  • Handouts – bring a minimum of 3 handouts of the presentation. Your interviewers may not want a copy, but it is best you have it to hand for their future reference
  • Have it saved and ready to go on your laptop!
  • Save it to a memory stick and bring the memory stick with you! They may wish to view it on their own facilities.

Do not get caught out without duplicates of your work, the last thing you need is an IT error just as you are about to go “on stage” and you have no back up. It is unprofessional and shows a lack of preparation on your part.

Remember that doing a presentation in an interview informs your interviewer of your speaking, selling and presenting skills for their company and their products.

Imagine they are your clients and they have allocated you 15 minutes of their time to hear you speak about the products you are selling. Your own laptop crashes before you even open the presentation and you haven’t got it backed up on a memory stick?

Always be prepared!

Interview Preparation

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Check Your Water

Check Your Water

When you have an interview organised, the first thing that should come to your mind will be the usual elements of preparation such as, researching the company, memorising who you are meeting and what their position is.

If you are super organised perhaps even a list of questions you may have to direct back to the interviewer!

One other vital consideration for every interview is also the most essential part of interview preparation - getting there? Aside from all the above preparations before an interview, the most essential point is the navigation!

  • Do you know where the company is based?
  • Do you have the building routed/ entered into your Sat Nav?
  • Have you timed the journey so you will be there early?

One final consideration – Is your car in working order?! Have you checked the oil,  water and the petrol?

Obvious as it sounds, these kind of blips can occur!

Referees and References

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Help yourself-make sure your References are contactable

Help yourself-make sure your References are contactable

Referees and references should  be considered as vital a part of your CV as your CV content and layout after all its little point in going to the trouble of producing a wonderfully laid out CV without  having consideration of  the reliability and effectiveness of your references.

One should always be assured that the referees you choose are happy to give you a reference to begin with as generally -in particular with large multinationals, they may have a policy of not providing more than a factual reference; ie the person worked here between said dates as a “fill in Job Title”

These references serve to provide little support for an applicant and can in some instances appear to be suspiciously vague or reserved as if the former employer is anxious not to incriminate themselves-which in some instances may be the case given that candidates are entitled to check references obtained or stored under the data protection act. 

As a professional, it is in your interest to obtain reliable references- ideally in advance of departure from a current employer as your referee may move on-in which case your reference is lost or may lose its veracity as a person who worked indirectly with you may only be able to provide a standard rather than glowing reference. With this in mind it is worth your while to keep in contact with your referees. Professional Social Networks such as LinkedIn can be ideal for this as members will voluntarily update their own records and are easily found on this excellent website.   

Written references are another form of reference insurance because at least you have a hard copy from your referee who may not be available when you require them due to holidays or work commitments that make them unavailable for immediate comment but will at least buy you time.

At the end of the day, references are a general assessment but the ultimate decision lies with the employer to decide to take on the candidate but if the reference concurs with the assessing employers opinions their decision making process will be moderately more assured than if they have to rely on dated, inaccurate or vague references which do more harm than good to your application.

Do your homework in advance and do not leave it until the job offer to look for your references- even if you think they will be easy to get. That may be so, but you should treat your references with as much consideration as your passport. Ensure you have a minimum of two; but better still three references, that you can call on or contact via e-mail or phone contact as you never know when you may need them and if you have them in advance  your application has a far greater chance of success.  Remember your references are up to you.

Prepare to Win

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Be Prepared to Win

Be Prepared to Win

Prepare to win if you want to win at the interview.  Preparation improves confidence and performance at interviews allowing far greater communication of your skills as you will much more relaxed and at ease. 

Preparation takes a variety of  forms.It involves actively reading up on the target company, their products and their strategy in business and if possible reading up on or talking to people already working for or who have previously worked for the target company. The more prepared you are the more organised you appear at interview and the more attractive you appear as a recruitment prospect.

Be sure of what you want to say when you are selling your skills as well as yourself. Ask yourself -why would a company hire me? What can I offer over every other candidate coming through the same interview as me? If you can convince yourself realistically that you are a good bet then you are half way there. 

Be keen and enthusastic in your answers, so many candidates fail at interview for lack of interest even though technically they appear to meet all the clients criteria but they simply fail as they dont appear to want the job or  to be hungry enough to want to get it. 

Consider this; would you hire someone if they looked and responded as if they wished they were some where else?

If you want the job you have to be prepared to win and that means doing your homework in advance and not as the teacher walks through the door.

Fail to Prepare-Prepare to Fail

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Prepare to win the interview and thejob

Prepare to win the interview and the job

A maxim oft quoted in management texts and tutorials which is as succinct as it is true to life.  It is a consideration that all those attending an interview must keep at the forefront of their mind whether they are applying for a technician or senior manager’s role. The applicant must at all times be aware that the purpose of the interview is not an opportunity for a chat- it’s to get the job!

Preparation then involves at the very least consideration of your appearance followed swiftly by transport, communication and research; – all of which will boost your confidence and improve your state of mind when the big day comes.

Ensure you are dressed for the interview; another maxim well known and often forgotten is dress to impress. Today as time is short and applicants are plenty, always be aware that you will have one chance to make a good impression and you must appear to be at least as professional as your appearance.

Dressing casually will signal to the interviewer you are neither serious about the role on offer, or the interviewer who has decided to give you valuable time out of their day to meet and interview you.  A poor first impression immediately drops you down the competition ladder. Take time over your appearance and if possible have a dry run the night before, check shoes are polished, shirts, blouses and suits are clean and pressed, ready for immediate use in the morning. You’ll be grateful you did when you see the opposition sitting across from you in reception in a crumpled suit or at worse, a T- Shirt.

Getting to the interview is as important as the interview and its worth checking your car is fuelled and at reduced risk of failing on the motorway twenty minutes from your interviewer.

Phone numbers are vital; always make sure you have your recruiter and interviewer’s telephone contact numbers- main switch and mobile. In deference to the interviewee, your interviewer may have their phone switched off and may not know you are frantically trying to tell them you cant reach them.

Research should similarly not be underestimated or undervalued as part of your preparation. Read the company website, call for extra information, flyers, and magazines, and ask to speak to the press officer if they have one. The better informed you are, the keener you will appear and the more informed your questions will be. Employers want keen employees- lack of knowledge in the age of the internet can only be interpreted as lack of interest.

For further information, please visit our advice center.