Cummins Mellor Recruitment

New research has discovered that a lack of preparation is resulting in fear and stress over job interviews. 54% of employer respondents have admitted they have taken an instant dislike to a candidate (poll by moster.co.uk).

Make sure you are prepared for that important moment by following our interview tips.

You rarely get a second chance to make a good impression with a prospective employer, so at your interview it is important that you get it right first time. Our consultants at Cummins Mellor Recruitment are keen to provide you with as much help as possible. Here are just some of our top tips.

Prepare Yourself

Interviews are two way meetings. Prepare some questions to ask at the interview. At the first interview it would be wise to restrict your questions to the details of the job and the organisation. Salary and benefit discussions are best left until a second interview or a job offer is made. Let Cummins Mellor help you with this.

Do Your Homework

Find out as much as possible about the company prior to the interview. A good starting point is to look up their website and find out about the products and services they offer, the location of the office/s, and the number of employees. You could also phone the company and ask them to send you an annual report.

Dress Code and Appearance

For office work, smart dress is a must. Ensure you are well groomed with tidy hair, clean shoes and clothing. Do not wear too much perfume or aftershave and keep make up, jewellery and nail polish simple.

Travel and Timing

Plan your journey beforehand to ensure you arrive a few minutes early. Allow for possible travel delays. Just in case of a major hold up, make sure you have your contacts telephone number so that you can call if you suspect you will be late.

Essential Points

• Practise a strong positive handshake and plan your greeting
• Remember to smile and be polite to all staff you meet
• Always give good eye contact and try not to look away even if you are naturally shy or quite nervous
• Unless you feel particularly comfortable, do not accept tea or coffee at the interview as it can get in the way
• If you are taking papers to the interview, carry them in a suitable case or folder
• Always switch off your mobile phone before entering the company premises.
• Never be negative about your current or ex-employer. If you need help with this, ask us before your interview

After the Interview

Call us to let us know how the interview went, as soon as you can. The client will always want to know your comments before giving feedback on you

Negotiation

We are here to do the work for you. We will provide you with feedback as soon as we have it. Try to leave salary discussions for us to negotiate on your behalf. If you need any further help or advice please just contact us.

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