Post a Job
Post a Job

Do’s & Don’ts

DO:

  • Plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early.  Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
  • Ensure you are polite and courteous to all other employees of the company including secretaries and receptionists.
  • Greet the interviewer by their surname, if you are not sure of the pronunciation, ask the interviewer to repeat it.
  • Shake hands firmly. Avoid the limp handshake, the tips of the fingers handshake and the arm pump handshake. Even if you are a seasoned professional do not assume you have avoided these pitfalls. Your handshake may be telling more about you than you know.
  • Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting.  Sit upright in your chair, look alert and interested at all times.  Be a good listener as well as a good talker.
  • Smile.
  • Look a prospective employer in the eye when you converse. Look at who you are talking to but do not exclude other interviewers present.
  • Follow the interviewer’s leads and always match their style of communication but try to obtain a full description of the position and duties expected early so that you can relate your appropriate background and skills. If the interviewer seems all business, don’t attempt to loosen him/her up with a joke or a story. Be succinct and business like.
  • Make sure that your good points get across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner.  Keep in mind that only you can sell yourself and make the interviewer aware of the potential benefits you can offer to the organisation.
  • Be prepared to answer typical questions. Nothing communicates disinterest like a candidate who hasn’t bothered preparing to do pre-interview research. On the flip side, the quickest way to a good impression is to demonstrate your interest with a few well thought out answers to questions that reflect your knowledge of their organization.Typical questions;
    • What kind of job are you looking for?
    • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
    • What do you know about the company?
    • Why did you choose your particular vocation?
    • What are your qualifications?
  • Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job you are discussing.  Never close the door on an opportunity.  It is better to be in the position where you can choose from a number of jobs – rather than only one

If presented with an application:

  • Fill it out application forms neatly and completely.  If you have a personal resume, be sure the person to whom you release it to is the person who will actually do the hiring.

 

DON’T:

  • Show up too late or too early. Arriving more than 10 minutes early for an interview often creates almost as bad an impression as when you arrive too late.
  • Answer questions with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Give an explanation whenever possible and describe those things about yourself which relate to the position. However, avoid being over-talkative by taking too long to answer direct questions or waffling which can suggest you are trying to cover something up or outright lying.
  • Lie.  Answer questions truthfully, frankly and as much to the point as possible.
  • Make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers. Even if your former boss was Attila the Hun, never state your ill feelings about him/her. When faced with the challenge of talking about former employers, make sure you are prepared with a positive spin on your experiences.
  • ‘Over – answer’ questions.  The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics.  These topics can be controversial, it is best to answer the questions honestly, trying not to say more than is necessary.
  • Enquire about SALARY, HOLIDAYS, BONUSES etc., at the initial interview. This can be discussed at a later date, or your consultant will liaise. We strongly recommend for you to encourage the interviewer to correspond with the consultant on all these issues. Our consultants are experts in salary negotiations so it is in your best interest to use them.
  • Smoke prior to the interviewer, if you are a smoker.