During the Interview

During the interview, you will be assessed for your strengths and weaknesses/areas for development. In addition to this, specific personal characteristics will be probed, such as attitude, aptitude, stability, motivation and maturity.

Some interview DO's and DONT's follow:

• DO arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
• DO fill out any application forms neatly and completely. If you have a personal resume, be sure thatthe person to whom you release it is the person who will actually do the hiring.
• DO greet the interviewer byhis or her title and surname. If you are not sure of the name pronunciation, ask the interviewer to repeat it.
• DO shake hands firmly.
• DO wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright in your chair and look alert and interested at all times.
• DO be as charismatic as possible; it is very important that you demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview.
• DO be a good listener as well as a good talker.
• DO smile.
• DO look the interviewer in the eye.
• DO follow the interviewer's leads. Try, however, to obtain a full description of the position and duties it incorporates at an early stage so that you can relay your appropriate background and skills accordingly.
• DO make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a concise, factual and sincere manner. Waffle will get you no where. Bear in mind that only you can sell yourself and make the interviewer aware of the benefits that you can offer to the organisation.
• DO always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing. Never close the door on opportunity. It is better to be in a position where you can choose from a number of offers - rather than only one.
• DON'T smoke even if the interviewer smokes and offers you a cigarette.
• DON'T answer questions with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. Explain yourself whenever possible. Describe those things about yourself that relate to the position on offer.
• DON'T lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as close to the point as possible.
• DON'T make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.
• DON'T 'over answer' questions. The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics, which can be controversial topics. It is best to respond to such issues honestly, yet trying not to say more than is necessary.
• DON'T enquire about salary,holidays, bonuses etc. at the initial interview unless you are positive that the interviewer wants to hire you. You should however, know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range.

During the course of the interview, the interviewer will be evaluating your negative attributes as well as your positive ones. Listed below are some negative traits that are frequently evaluated during the course of an interview and which most often lead to rejection:

• poor personal appearance
• overbearing, aggressive, conceited 'superiority complex' - 'know it all' attitude
• inability to express thoughts clearly - poor diction or grammar
• lack of career planning - no purpose or goals or foresight
• lack of interest and enthusiasm - passive and indifferent
• lack of confidence -nervousness
• over-emphasis on money - interested only in remuneration
• condemnation of past employers
• failure to look the interviewer in the eye
• limp handshake
• failure to ask good questions about the job and company
• lack of interview preparation - failure to research the company - resulting in an inability to ask intelligent questions