Interview Skill Tips
- Smile and walk tall as you come in.
- Give everyone a firm hand shake and look them in the eye.
- Sit straight in the chair, keep your hands in a relaxed open position, for example, on your knees.
(Not in pockets) smile and then wait for them to begin.
- When asked questions, make sure you hear them correctly. Ask them to be repeated if you don't.
- Answer fairly briefly, looking mostly at the person who asked the question, and also giving the others some eye contact.
- Illustrate points you are making with specifics.
- Speak fairly slowly (120 words a minute) and with clear diction. (if you have an accent, speak slower).
- Vary your voice as much as possible.
- Make sure you have researched and found the web site of the company. Refer to their mission statement or core values if possible or relevant.
- If you are asked about weaknesses, turn them to a type of positive.
For example, "I tend to need to finish a job."
Or, "I work at night, much to my family's frustration."
- Have a question to ask them that shows you have thought about the position.
- Smile at the end, shake all hands and leave tall.
Don'ts
- Don't ask about money in the first interview.
- Don't brag, but don't under sell yourself.
- Don't ask for feedback straight away. (You can do that if you miss out on the job)
- Don't waffle on too long. Ask if they want more details if you think you have been too brief.
- Don't feel you have to answer questions about your age, religion or sexual preferences! (They are not supposed to be asked)
- Don't say you were fired from your last job. Refer to downsizing or looking for new opportunities.
- Don't dress too informally.
- If they ask a difficult question, don't say, "I can't answer that." Say, "That's a tricky question.
It reminds me of another similar question." Then answer that one.
NB You should have thought about all the questions you could be asked!
- Don't mumble and repeat yourself.
- Don't get embarrassed if you forget a word. Ask them to help you out!
- Don't make up stuff about yourself!
- Don't ask too much about promotion opportunities in the first interview.

Judith Field
| Phone: |
9578 6566 |
| Fax: |
9578 6075 |
| Mob (Judith): |
0411 898 711 |
| Mob (Phil): |
0409 848 840 |