Preparing yourself for an interview is no small feat. This process requires substantial effort on your part in the form of logistical planning for the appointment, research activities about the organization, practicing your responses to potential questions that may be asked and formulating a list of items you would like to address during the meeting. These preparatory activities could be utterly worthless, if you fail to plan for the seemingly insignificant issues that may have a detrimental impact on the day of your interview.
Anticipating Gremlins by planning for the Nitty-Gritties.
- Interview Time and Date:
Be sure to confirm these details again on the day before your interview. Typos can happen, and electronic calendars have gone rogue before. If you have a Skype interview with a client in another country, take note of Time Zones affected by Daylight Saving modes.
- Location:
Do not just rely on Google Maps, TomTom and GPS devices to get you to your destination. If possible, drive past the venue during the weekend before your interview to verify the exact location, building number and parking options. Note the distance between the parking area and the actual building where your meeting will be taking place. Believe it or not,for some of the organizations in for instance JHB CBD, the allocated parking areas are not adjacent to the actual office buildings. Thus, you may need to make provision for an added 5-to-10-minute walk, before arriving at reception.
- Dress Code:
Rather smart than casual. Looking overdressed amongst everybody else wearing jeans and T-Shirts, is more appropriate than you trying to hide your casual attire amida pool of Armani and Jenni Button. Ladies, if you are not used to walking in 10-inch heels, do not wear them for the first time on interview day. (Falling down a set of stairs in front of your potential new boss won’t be fun). Make sure your interview outfit is ‘’ready to wear” at least two days before your appointment. The time to discover missing buttons or wine stains, is not in the hour before you need to leave for your meeting.
- Appearance:
Personal hygiene should be a given, but Guys listen up: you should not be a walking advertisement for Jean Paul Gaultier. Ladies, regarding make-up and hairstyle, be reminded of the golden rule: Less is more! You are there for an interview, not the Oscar’s. As a final point pertaining to appearance, repeat after me: “No new hairstyle cuts or colour make-overs, in the week before your interview.”
- Interview Equipment & Documentation:
Tablets are fine to capture notes on during the interview, but take a pen and writing pad with just in case one of your updates causes a shutdown when you least expect it. Print a copy of your cv, not for the interviewer, but as a guiding document to yourself in case the nerves set in and you cannot remember your dates of employment or companies worked at previously. (Yes, it has happened before!) You may be asked for proof of identification when entering the building or parking area, thus remember to take your ID or Drivers Licence with you. Ensure to have copies of your academic qualifications like degrees, certifications and matric certificate on hand.
- Getting ready to leave:
Check the traffic updates early enough to plan for alternative routes if needed. Rather skip the travel mug of coffee or take an extra shirt, just in case. Do a final check to verify that you have everything you may need like cell phone, directions, parking reference code, proof of identification, tablet, notepads, enough stationary and your car charger for your cell phone. Add the number of your Agent or the person who scheduled the interview to your phone, prior to your departure.
- Before you get out of your car:
USE THE MIRROR! Mute your mobile and please spit out that Stimerol you have been chewing. Make sure that you are parked like a human being (between the lines) and furthermore not standingon a reserved spot. (It could be the CEO’s!)
- Timing:
Fashionably late for an interview is not an option, nor is arriving an hour early. Report to reception 10 to 15 minutes before the meeting is scheduled to start. Receptionists are busy people, they may forget about you, thus remind them of your existence again 5 minutes prior to your appointment time. Always remain courteous and professional, even if something goes wrong and your interviewer is nowhere to be found. The best option in this scenario, is to call your agent or the person who scheduled the interview in the first place.
- During the interview:
Avoid taking a seat at the head of the boardroom table, unless prompted to do so. A firm handshake goes a long way to create a good impression, but this is not a testosterone contest. No use crying over spilled milk or cappuccino after the fact. If your hands are jittery, perhaps decline the coffee and stick to water instead. Eye contact with everyone in the room is important, but you are not watching a match at Wimbledon. Keep the conversation natural by remembering to BREATHE.
- Upon leaving the interview room:
Thank your interviewers for their time. Remember to gather all your belongings;it is very embarrassing to reach your car only to discover that you have left your keys or handbag in the interview room!
Overkill? Think again.
The tips and examples mentioned above, are based on “real life” examples of instances that transpired in and around interview days. Take note and have a plan B and even a plan C ready to execute when needed. “Murphy” is an unpredictable guest, who visits when least expected. BE PREPARED. Wishing you all the best with your next interview day.
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