THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

By Hugh Oram.

The interview process, long a standard way of selecting candidates to fill jobs, may not be the only hurdle in looking for a new job but it's still vital to make the right impact as soon as you step through the door and meet the interviewer(s).

As one source says: "You have five seconds to make it or blow it. Think how many potential friends you have rejected on the basis of first impression." It's like a TV commercial, which has 30 seconds to sell what it's promoting. The amount of advice available on this subject is amazing, but it boils down to common sense and courtesy.

How to prepare yourself for the interview has produced enough advice to fill a reservoir. Jim Wylie, general manager of Osborne Recruitment in Dublin, says: "Preparation prior to an interview is essential."

Candidates should know as much as they can about a company and its structure. Rowan Manahan, MD of Fortify Services in Dun Laoghaire says: "Modern interviewing is searching and interviewers expect a high level of preparation. How hard you prepare for the interview is a useful indicator of how professional you are likely to be on the job."

So, preparation is important, as Jim Wylie continues: "It's a fact that employers dislike inappropriate dress. lateness, a poor handshake and lack of eye contact. If you are polite, well-dressed, honest and enthusiastic, you can't go far wrong!"

First impressions are important. The way you dress is important and the CPL recruitment agency group has some sound advice on this topic. Women should avoid short skirts, trendy outfits, floral prints and brightly patterned blouses. A dark trouser suit tends to work well. For men, an ill-fitting suit can send the wrong message - that you don't care about detail - and other fashion items to be avoided at all costs are polo or turtleneck shirts, casual shoes and eccentric or flashy ties.

Gerard Daly of Career Stages has a list of things that you should avoid during an interview from chewing gum to wearing overpowering perfume or aftershave or leaving your mobile on. He warns: "Don't challenge the interviewer, don't be over-confident and don't exaggerate." Richmond Recruitment backs this up by saying that a positive attitude is desirable. A warm smile and a positive approach will speak volumes about your outlook. This agency advises arriving 10 to 15 minutes before the interview and says that the interview starts as soon as you arrive at the company.

Rowan Manahan of Fortify has one concluding piece of advice to job-seekers doing interviews: they should present themselves as a solution to the recruiters' problems in finding new staff. "Be seen to be focused on the prospective employer's needs, not just your own."

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