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Job interviews: So you think you've got them sussed?
Quick-fire list of dos and don'ts

By Cathy Holley

Published: Thursday 15 May 2008

However good you think you are at job interviews, it doesn't hurt to go over the basics. They could be standing between you and success, says Cathy Holley of headhunters Boyden UK Global Executive Search.

You're busy, we're busy. Nobody wants to waste time in an interview that's going nowhere.

So you can assume that the interviewers are probably willing you to succeed, willing you to impress them and willing you to be good enough to shortlist.

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Any top-level role will probably be approached only through a fairly tough interview. But on the whole, the aim is not to trip you up.

The interviewer wants to explore your strengths and weaknesses so that the employer has the very best information to judge whether or not you are right for the role, and indeed, for the organisation.

For the same reason, honesty is the best policy. There are worse things than not getting the role and at the top of that list is being appointed to a role that you are simply not right for.

At the end of the day, if this wasn't the role for you, there is almost certainly a better one round the corner.

So, having talked to my colleagues, here are our thoughts on some of the obvious dos and don'ts at interview.

Do…

1. Your homework.
2. Understand what motivates you and how this role will help you to get to where you want to be.
3. Be genuinely enthusiastic about what you have done, your company and this opportunity. Passion is always welcome.
4. At least convey a desire to explore this opportunity thoroughly so that you can decide whether it is for you or not - you may well still have doubts at this point and that's fine. But you must at least show that you have a plan that will enable you to make a firm decision.
5. Be able to demonstrate clearly, with evidence, what your major achievements have been and how they have positively improved each of the companies you've worked for.
6. Maintain eye contact and engage the person opposite you.
7. Be honest. Good interviewers will always take references. If you are lying you will be found out.
8. Recognise that you must give outstanding answers that differentiate you in this highly competitive market. Do your answers pass the 'so-what' test?
9. Listen carefully to the question. Answer that question, the whole question and nothing but the question.
10. Remember to smile. Having gravitas and being professional does not preclude you from showing warmth. The interviewer will want to know that you can build a relationship and being stony-faced for an hour is not a good sign.
11. Understand the question and be concise and precise in your answer.

Don't…

1. Skimp on preparation. It will come back to haunt you during the interview and, worse, could result in you taking a role that simply is not right for you.
2. Have an inflexible agenda that you are determined to get across at all costs, regardless of the question.
3. Lack self-awareness. Everybody has weaknesses. Not only must you acknowledge them, we would like to see evidence of your plans to improve them. A defensive ego is definitely a turnoff.
4. Make stupid comments belittling either the role you are discussing or the company. It is not a smart way of winning favour.
5. Waffle or make the mistake that we are here for a nice chat.
6. Forget names, titles, figures. Reread your CV and have the relevant facts at your fingertips. This will facilitate a good interview, enabling you to concentrate on answering the question, rather than stumbling over facts.
7. Give off the wrong signals with your body language. Aim for relaxed but engaged.
8. Have no questions or, even worse, stupid questions that convey a lack of preparation.

Armed with this information, you should be prepared to give the best interview you are able to.

And remember, having a good interview will deliver a positive impression. So even if this job does not work out, it is entirely likely that the interviewer will contact you again in the future about a more appropriate role. Good luck.