Carlow Jobs Club

1
Carlow Jobs Club

• Carlow Jobs Club is funded by FAS and
  administered by Carlow County Development
  Partnership Ltd

2
Essentials in Interview Skills

• What employer is looking for
• Key ingredients for successful interview
  preparation
• Reasons why employers turn down candidates
• Body Language
• Hints for Interviews (Dos Don'ts)

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What the Employer is looking for

• An understanding of the job
• The ability to do it
• Enthusiasm
• The ability to fit in with the current team

4
Essentials in Interview Skills

• Know what the employer is looking for
• The job specification is the employer telling
  you what they want and you dont even have to ask
  any questions. It sounds obvious but most
  jobseekers ignore the job specification
• Know your CV
• Know your strengths and weaknesses and your CV
  including dates, work history, hobbies and
  education. Identify key achievement and
  quantifiable examples to compliment your duties
  and responsibilities. Identify what makes you
  different from your competitors

5
Essentials in Interview Skills

• Match your Experience/Skills to what the Employer
  is looking for
• Many jobseekers get carried away and talk about
  all their great experience, qualities and
  components without sifting out the relevant
  information. Each employer is different and you
  have to tailor your message accordingly.
  Irrelevant information dilutes your message and
  can confuse or distract the interviewer.

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Reasons why Employers turn down candidates

• Lack of passion
• You must present yourself in a positive,
  enthusiastic manner to show an employer the
  positive energy you will bring to the company
• Not selling yourself
• You need to ensure that you manage the
  interview process and highlight your key
  achievements and strengths in the allotted time
• Lack of focus
• Focus on the employers needs and tailor your
  experience to match that role

7
Body Language

• If you have been selected for an interview, you
  have obviously impressed your potential employer
  - your next challenge is to maintain their
  positive perception of you in the interview stage
  
• It is therefore essential to come across as
  confident, enthusiastic and capable of rising to
  the challenge, even if you really feel terrified,
  negative and ready to run away!
• Positive actions eye contact, firm, friendly
  handshake, palms visible
• Negative Actions defensiveness, boredom, doubt,
  nervousness
• Watch the interviewer, their body language can
  give you a clear indication of what the
  interviewer thinks of what you are saying e.g.
  if they are displaying signs of boredom, you
  should try to direct the subject away from your
  current line of thinking.

8
Do

• Find out about the job and the company before
  hand
• Decide in advance what clothes you will be
  wearing
• Bring any necessary documentation with you (e.g.
  certificates, CV)
• Arrive early
• Greet the interviewer with a pleasant smile, warm
  handshake

9
Do

• Listen carefully to the questions you are
  asked-never interrupt
• Think before answering
• Answer clearly in a firm and confident manner
• Look the interviewer in the eye especially when
  answering questions
• Be polite and friendly, smile to show youre
  friendly

10
Do

• Sell yourself-talk about your good points, not
  your bad
• Make sure you do most of the talking-about 80
• Remember that an interview is a two way
  process-so ask questions at the appropriate time
• Thank the interviewer when the interview is over

11
Dont

• Assume the job is yours just because youve been
  asked to the interview
• Be late but telephone if some mishap means that
  you will
• Sit down before you are asked
• Evade any questions-answer them to the best of
  your ability
• Put on a false accent speak naturally

12
Dont

• Run down or make unpleasant remarks about your
  previous employer or colleagues
• Be negative-talk about what you can do not what
  you cant do
• Tell lies about your achievements or abilities
• Be afraid to admit you dont understand
  something, ask for further explanation

13
Essentials in Interview Skills

• Know what employer is looking for
• Know your CV
• Match your experience/skills
• Reasons why employers turn down candidates
• Body Language
• Dos Donts

14
Carlow Jobs Club

• Carlow Jobs Club is funded by FAS and
  administered by Carlow County Development
  Partnership Ltd