So, here we are. You have gone through the
application phase, arranged the interview, you have dressed
yourself up to look the absolute business. It's time to put it
all together and go for the interview. This is the real
nitty-gritty now, no second chances, you simply have to
perform if you want the job.
It is a great buzz to be called for an interview,
and you will obviously be excited by the prospect.
Unfortunately, yet another word of warning. Despite being
excited about the interview, try NOT to be the first person
interviewed. Research from America suggests that the first
person interviewed is some three times less likely to get the
job!
That really is stacking the odds against you.
Now, I'm not sure that applies so much to the U.K, but it is
certainly food for thought. The logic is simple. A prospective
employer will not want to take on the first person he sees. He
will always want someone to compare you to, so try not to be
first through the door. The other thing to take into
consideration is that, the person who leaves the more lasting
impression in the interviewers' mind will be the candidate he
most recently interviewed. I know it's not fair, but then life
rarely is. This information at least makes you aware of the
situation, so you can now use this to your advantage.
Some people feel the time of an interview is
important, but I have to say that I believe this to be less so
nowadays. Some older research suggests avoiding Mondays, and
Fridays, and early mornings and late afternoons. Again, the
logic is Monday is always busy, Friday it's the weekend, early
morning is planning time and late afternoon is getting on for
home time. However, I believe business has become much more
flexible in recent years and some executives prefer a
breakfast interview to leave their days free. Some interviewers
prefer late afternoon so that candidates do not have to take
time out of work. So, best advice here is, that as long as
you are happy with the time, go along with what the company
request. If the interviewer shows any unease at all about a
given time, make other arrangements.
Next Page -
Before The
Interview
