Category: Interviews

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Shaking Hands with Interviewers – The Secrets

We all know that first impressions count during your interview, this short article will help you realise what your handshake reveals to the employer.

When being introduced to the interviewer, you will more often then not be committed to a handshake; a handshake is a quick gesture to say “Hello I’m here, I’m professional and I’m ready for the interview” this two second introduction will give the employer their first impression about you and set’s the tone for the rest of the interview.

If you believe in the power of handshakes or not, your handshake is expected and often unconsciously tells the employer a little about your character, employers will often be prejudice and make an opinion about you from your initial handshake.

Research has shown that a handshake like other body language signals gives interviewers an unconscious idea about a person’s personality and a firm handshake is more likely to help gain you a job offer, then a limp handshake.

By now, you have started to read this article on handshaking, you are starting to become more aware of how the unconscious mind picks up on non verbal language and how this can affect your interview, you can learn more about non verbal language and interviews in our secrets of employment e-book, down load it today and increase your chances of gaining job offers.  

 

  • What the Handshake means?  

    If your Palm is facing up this can be taken as a sign of submission

    A palm facing down can be taken as aggressive

    While a palm facing sideways is taken as an equal

    If someone uses the Palm Facing down handshake (aggressive) You can counter this by putting your second hand on top of their hand and slowly turning there Palm up (this needs lots of practicing for it to look natural)

 

Employers will probably not remember the handshake itself, they remember the unconscious image they create of you from the handshake, just like our body language gives non verbal clues, and so does our handshake.

What makes a good handshake? A firm grip, eye contact and an up-and-down movement.

Common Handshake Mistakes

The Bone Crusher – don’t turn a handshake into a competition to see who is the strongest  

The Long Handshake – often a nervous interviewee will be pre-occupied with making a good impression and overcoming their nervous they forget to let go of the interviewer’s hand.


Sweaty Palm – again this one can often happen to nervous interviewees, the more nervous we become the more we sweat, remember to sneakily wipe your hands before the handshake.  

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The Interview Check List

Prepare for the Interview

    • Write a list of your strengths, skills and qualities – highlight the strengths, skills and qualities needed for the job you are being interviewed for.
    • Research the company; you can research the company online by clicking “about us” or “company history” tab on the company website – you will be asked “can you tell me what you know about our company?” during the interview.
    • Complete a mock interview; rehearse what to say and how to respond to interview questions. Also plan a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
    • Plan travel (complete a mock ruin in advance) prepare interview clothes, put CVs and references in a smart-looking file and set your alarm clock – you don’t want to be late!

During the Interview

    • Arrive early; no-one likes a late interviewee. Introduce yourself to the receptionist “good morning my name is Mr X, I have an appointment for an interview with Mrs Y, this morning at 10:00”
    • When asked into the interview, introduce yourself to the interviewer, shake hands and wait to be seated.
    • Have a good induction planned, as a common first interview question is “tell me a little about yourself”
    • Sit up straight, speak clearly and breathe between questions! Lock your hands together if you are nervous as this stops you from fidgeting, make good eye contact and ask for any questions you don’t understand to be repeated.
    • Answer questions using stories and real-life experiences; prove your knowledge, skills and worth by offering evidence or giving numbers, facts and figures.
    • Smile throughout the interview and offer detailed specific answers, relating to your background and experience – remember to discuss your skills that relate to the job specification.
    • Close the interview by asking the interviewer questions relating to the growth of the company, staff development, new contracts and the company employees.
    • Thank the interviewer for their time and shake hands.

After the Interview

    • Review the interview, write a list of what went well; your posture, interview answers, confidence etc. and a second list of what you can improve; speaking more slowly, answering a certain question, eye contact etc.
    • Complete a new mock interview and notice how you have improved with this new learning.
    • Write a thank-you letter to the interviewer indicating your interest within 24 hours of your interview.
    • Prepare references and continue to job search until you have a job offer in writing.
    • If rejected for the position, gain feedback from the interviewer. If offered the job, reply within 10 days.
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Top Ten 10 Telephone Interview Tips

How to prepare for a telephone interview.

Telephone interviews are often the first stage in the application process especially in telesales job roles and when applying for vacancies through recruitment agencies.

Like all job interviews, you need to prepare for the telephone interview.

Many job hunters fail to impress employers when they apply for a vacancy via the telephone, as they have not realised they were going to be interviewed over the phone.

When applying for any vacancy over the telephone be prepared to answer a series of interview questions.

Interview Test

Top Ten Telephone Interview Tips:

1. Read the job advert and job specification and highlight the essentials skills needed for this job role. For each essential skill prepare a short story that highlights the fact that you have this skill, this is the basis to the answers to the interview questions.

2. Review your CV/Application Form, research the company, prepare the interview questions and answer and practice your interview techniques by completing a mock telephone interview with a friend or careers advisor.

3.Use a landline, as mobiles can easily lose signal and be prepared for the interview to last around 45minutes.

4.Prepare your room, put a “do not disturb” sign on the door – you don’t want to be interrupted, make sure no additional noise from other rooms/outside can be heard.

5. Have your CV, interview questions and answers in front of you, with the main sections highlighted.

6. Don’t speak quickly, don’t use slang or talk over the interviewer. When answering questions, be polite give detailed answers highlighting your experiences and skills. Write down any important information given by the interviewer.

7. Write down the interviewer’s name (remember they can’t see what you have in front of you) and use the interviewer’s name throughout the interview.

8. When talking smile and stand up, research has shown, by doing this your voice comes across more positive.

9. Prepare questions to ask the employer  – these should be around training, company expansion, the team and not about Holidays or Pay

10. Thank the interviewer for their time. One you have finished the interview, review what you have done and write a list of what went well and what you need to improve and complete a new mock telephone interview, noticing the improvements you have made.

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How to Pass a Group Interview

Group Job Interview Methods

Interviewers use a verity of methods to interview job hunters, the most common is a one to one interview closely followed by group interviews often used for sectors working with the public or in a team.

It is vital to have knowledge of all the different interviews employers use as part of the interview process, to ensure you are properly prepared.

Generally, when you gain a group interview you will be asked to complete a “group exercise” – build a bridge out of straws, complete a brain teaser or make a jigsaw, etc. The employer has no concerns if you complete the task or not, they are more interested in your reactions to others, your communication skills and how you work within a team.

By following these ten tips you can quickly gain a head start above the other interviewees:

  • Start by introducing yourself to the other interviewees and interviewers. Be polite and friendly and remembers people’s names.
  • Listen to the instructions for the group exercise, if possible write them down.
  • The first thing the interviewer will look for is to see who joins in with the activities; group interviews are generally used by employers looking for team members. If you don’t join in with the interview team activity, you probably won’t work well within a team environment.

Group Interview – working with groups

  • Join in with the group discussions and don’t dominate, let others have their say and give your own opinion.
  • Boost group morel, by telling people when they have had a good idea or suggestion. If someone is being quiet, ask for their opinion. This will show the interviewers that you try to involve others and will suggest you have managerial skills.
  • When you’re worried about your interview performances, an interview coach can help you prepare.

Group Interview People Skills

  • Learn to compromise and accept others’ ideas with an open mind, remember the idea of the task is to see if you work well within a team not to solve the problem – even though solving the problem can’t help; Google group activities for ideas and solutions.
  • When someone disagrees with you, say “it’s good to get everyone’s opinions and ideas” and ask how the solution can be improved. Don’t make disagreements personal, keep focused on the problem/solution, remember you’re a Team Player.

Group Interview – pre-interview preparation

  • Prepare a list of questions you can ask the group to get them motivated “has anyone come across this group exercise before?”
  • During the group feedback to the interviewer, demonstrate to the employer that you have participated in the group exercise and that you gave some of the input. You may gain bonus points by being the group member who feedbacks (have other group members join in with you)
  • Be enthusiastic throughout and when asked questions by the interviewer, mention your experiences and how this helped you complete the exercise. If you knew the answer to the group task don’t let on, slowly give hints to the group to pass the task. It’s more important to demonstrate team skills rather than being someone who knows the answer immediately.

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How to Ace the Job Interview

Tips to help a career professional ace the job interview

We all love a good story

When asked interview questions, don’t be tempted to answer your question as a list of achievements, as many interviewees do, use a story to sell yourself. Interviewers become bored of hearing list, while a story is intriguing and exciting, you can use a compelling story to build up suspense and make you, the main character, come out on top.

In your story highlight what you personally did to achieve a target or to complete a task. Add to the story, what others thought about you “My Manager said that I was the only one to…” use numbers and percentages to sell yourself “I had a 95% success rate…”

Sell Yourself

Why do you buy certain products? The advertisement tells you how you can benefit from buying this product; they don’t discuss the products faults. You need to use this procedure during your interview, explain how you will benefit the company and what you have to offer. Don’t discuss your faults and answer any potential negative questions with a positive answer.

When to ask questions

Many job hunters think that employers have an unwritten rule and we can only ask questions at the end of the interview – this is not true. By the end of the interview, with some questions you wanted to ask, the interview has moved on so much, that your questions can seem pointless.

Ask your questions throughout the interview, this will show you have confidence and allows the interview to turn, naturally into an employment conversation rather then a set of questions and answers.

Influence the Interviewer

Use a career coach to help you understand how body language, hand shaking, language patterns and mirroring can influence your interviewer.

You can quickly learn how to gain instant rapport with an interview and how matching body language and verbal language can make a positive impact on your interview outcome. Everything you need to know about influencing the employer is in the Secrets of Employment e-book.

Do you Job Hop or Have Gaps in Your Employment History?

Are you a job hopper? Or do you have big gaps in your employment history? Employers are more interested in how productive you are, again use a story that sells your strengths and don’t ever apologies, as this will weaken your interview answers.

What ever you have undertaken, several jobs, gap year, volunteering, education – talk about what you have learnt and achieved form this experience.

Be an Industry Expert

To give the interviewer confidence in your knowledge and ability, become an industry expert. This is good for two reasons, the first, by being an industry expert you will fully understand the industry and will be able to answer questions confidently. Second, an industry expert will know which company won the new contracts and which employers are best to work for; this will help you choice the employer you feel would suit your working personality.

Practice Makes Perfect 

Don’t struggle to answer questions, by thinking about the answers on the spot, think about the job role you are applying for; what would your duties be in this new role? What skills and qualities do you need to complete your daily task? Your interview questions will be based on these answers, from this you can predict what you will be asked and prepare your answers.

Many people use an interview coach to help them prepare for the interview and to complete mock interviews.

Think about the type of interview you have to attend and what, if any task or presentations you will have to complete. Not all interviews rely on just a one to one interview question and answer session. Learn what type of interviews you may have to attend and how to overcome interview fears.

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Preparing for Interviews

Job Interview Preperation Techniques 

Before the interview you need make several preparations to ensure you make the most positive impression during the interview.

Travel.

Plan your travel, ensure you know where your interview is being held and complete a mock run; there is nothing worse than arriving late for an interview. Ensure you have set your alarm clock.

Clothing.

Plan what you are going to wear, your interviews clothes should be smart and need ironing the night before, this will give you time in the morning to relax and re-read your CV.

Always ensure you shower and shave before each interview, most of us will sweat during the interview and there is nothing more off-putting to an employer then a smelly candidate.

Practice Interviews.

Practice the interview questions and answers, think about the job you are applying for and the skills and qualities needed for this job role, the interviewer will ask questions based on these.

Re-read your CV or application form and ensure you are familiar with the information you recorded.

Ask a friend to interview you; give them a list of questions to ask you as this will help you plan timings and the delivery of your answers.

Plan questions to ask the interviewer; ask about the company, the workforce, opportunities for promotion and training.

During the Interview.

Shake hands with the interviewer and introduce yourself.

Waited until you have been asked to be seated.

Answer all questions with a detailed sentence, never give just a “Yes” or “no” answers. If you use a “yes” or “no” answers, add the reason why; “yes, because….”

Ensure all your questions mention at least one skill and quality that is needed for the job role you are applying for. You can find this information on the job advert and job specification.

Be positive with all your answers, this is not the time to be shy.

Always be polite, friendly and smile.

Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer and ask the interviewer to repeat any questions you did not understand.

Keep eye contact with the interviewer.

At the end of the interview, shake hands and thank the interviewer for their time.

After the Interview.

Take a deep breath the interview is over.

Think back to the interview, review your interview questions and answers-which questions did you answer well? Which answer need improving?

Write down any questions you didn’t expect to be asked and think of positive answers, as you may be asked this question again at your next interview.

Continue to job search until you receive a job offer in writing.