INTERVIEWS strike fear into most people, regardless of age and experience, but as an essential requirement of getting a job they have to be faced.
And with careful preparation and practice they is no reason why you cannot approach your next interview with a high degree of confidence.
Research Research is one of the key elements in the preparation process.
Study the job advert and any information sent to you with your application form and carefully assess how your existing skills match the job specification.
What skills can you offer that will recommend you to your prospective employer?
You will need to find out as much about the company as possible once you have been offered an interview.
One source of information that is particularly useful is the UK Kompass Register which you should be able to access in the reference section of the larger of your local libraries.
This should help you find out more about the organisation you are trying to enter - its size, turnover and operations.
Preparation When you receive an offer of an interview you should have a fair idea of the format it will follow.
If not, you may want to ring the personnel department or the person who has written to you in order to clarify who will be at the interview and whether you are expected to have prepared anything to present to them on the day.
Some companies will encourage and respond well to requests for an informal tour before the interview.
If you have examples of work, take them with you as concrete evidence of your achievements.
