SOME DO'S AND DON'TS REGARDING THE INTERVIEW

*   Poor personal appearance (watch your shoes!)

*   Overbearing - over aggressive - conceited "superiority" complex - "know-it-all"

*   Inability to express thoughts clearly - poor poise, diction or grammar

*   Lack of planning for career - no purpose or goals

*   Lack of interest and enthusiasm - passive and indifferent

*   Lack of confidence and poise - nervousness

*   Over emphasis on money - interested only in the best money offer

*   Evasive - makes excuses for unfavourable factors in records

*   Lack of tact - maturity - courtesy

*   Condemnation of past employers

*   Failure to look employer in the eye

*   Limp handshake

*   Lack of appreciation of the value of experience

*   Failure to ask questions about job

*   Persistent attitude of "what can you do for me?"

*   Lack of preparation for the interview - failure to get information about the Company resulting in inability to ask relevant questions.

DO:

*   Smile

*   Greet and meet shake hands

*   Sit comfortably (don't fidget)

*   Keep eye contact (but not intense)

*   If faced with a difficult question, explain in a positive note you have not been asked this question before, whilst you gather your thoughts.

eg. "That's a good question, no one has asked me that before, well, I believe that..." or

"That's an interesting and quite difficult question to answer but on reflection I believe..."

*   Ask questions if you feel comfortable to do so.

*   Thank your interviewer(s) for his/her/their time at the interview - shake hands, smile to everyone on your way out.

GOOD LUCK. For specific answers to interview techniques email your query to us ju@johnsonunderwood.co.uk