Tag Archives: preparation

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!

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.

The Importance of Time keeping…

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The importance of Time Keeping

The importance of Time Keeping

Time and good  time keeping is crucial! In todays employment market where being on time and meeting people who have even less time than you is a trait not to be underestimated or undervalued. Your next prospective employer  may decide on meeting you again at second interview purely on the basis of your ability to meet at the agreed interview time. If you can’t do that what else can you not do?

Stephen Hawking wrote a Brief  History of  Time; if you get your time keeping wrong in todays employment climate your career prospects could be even briefer.

Why not visit our interview tips page.