The
following five attributes are the basic things that every interviewer wants
from the perfect candidate. If you have these covered, all you need is a bit of
experience and the right qualifications to get your dream job.
A presentable candidate
It
is very important that you present yourself in the right way to your
interviewer. This does not mean that you have to change your entire style, but
there are certain things that you should take into account.
Avoid
the following:
- Scuffed shoes
- Scuffed, broken handbag or shoulder bag
- Clothes that are too revealing
- Clothes that are too bright and clashing
- Too much make up
- Overpowering perfume or cologne
- Unkempt-looking stubble
Do
the following:
- Clean your outfit properly and iron if necessary
- If you have pets, remove lint and hair from your clothes with a lint roller
- Check that you don’t have anything in your teeth and make sure that your breath is fresh
- A light fragrance
A good attitude
Positivity,
eageress and a bright, genuine smile are essential in any candidate. Make sure
that you appear eager to do the job, eager to learn and avoid negative
comments.
Good manners
Smile,
shake hands, use your interviewer’s correct title and say please and thank you:
simple things that will take you a long way in every aspect of your life.
Communication skills
Practice
articulating yourself, make eye contact and avoid saying ‘um’, ‘like’ and ‘uh’.
Talk slowly if you have to and think before you respond to questions.
Examples of situations where you have proved yourself capable
Rather
than just assuring interviewers that you have the skills to do the job, give
them situational anecdotes of times when you have done the right thing.
For
example, if the job you are interviewing for requires someone who can work on
deadline and juggle several projects at the same time, give an example of a
time at your previous position or during your studies when you had several
different deadlines looming and you managed your time well.
Make
sure of these five tips and you will be that much closer to acing your
interview.
by,
Joseph Fungo