• Positive presentation skills for an interview
• Your personal conduct at an interview
• The finer points
• Negative traps - what the interviewer is watching out for
• Some things to avoid
• Preparation

Positive Presentation Skills for an Interview

Are you ready for an interview?
An interview is a way of measuring if you have what's needed for a particular job.  It also lets the employer see if you have the communication skills required for the workplace. 

A checklist of the basics
Before attending an interview, you must be able to respond positively to each of the following items.  If you can't, you are not ready!  Print out the checklist  for your personal use, then answer the questions honestly.

Your personal conduct at an interview

Some professional approaches... 
Print out and read the list of professional approaches to interviews and think of other ideas that will improve how you prepare for the interview. Add your ideas to this basic list for future reference.

The finer points

Print out and read the list of the finer points to keep in mind at the interview.

Negative Traps - What the interviewer is watching out for

Print out and read the list of negative traps to avoid during the interview. 

Some things to avoid

Slouching in your chair, playing with spectacles, pens, fidgeting with your clothing, tapping your fingers, nervous laughter, quiet voice, no maintained eye contact, constant avoidance of a direct answer, negative comments, use of meaningless sounds or reduced forms of speech or slang when you speak. Example: [ umm, ahhh, dunno, wanna, havta, nuh, yeah, nup, yep, ‘coz, ta, gunna].  The number one pet hate with interviewers is the mobile phone - make sure you turn if off!!

Preparation

Something to think about when considering good communication ...

Experts tell us that we communicate by:
     What we say - 10%
     How we say it - 30%
     Our body language - 60%

The secret of successful interviews is anticipating what the interviewer is likely to ask, and being able respond confidently. It is quite acceptable for the applicant to be seated with a copy of the curriculum vitae in a folder for reference if needed. 

The main three questions are...

• Can you do the job?
• Will you fit in with the workplace?
• Are you keen to do a good job?

The prospective employer will want to know about... 

• Job record and employment stability 
• Education achievement level 
• Ability to communicate well 
• Ability to work within a team 
• Specifics of the skills you have - that apply to the position you are being interviewed for 
• Direct experience and indirect relevant accomplishments 
• Outside interests and activities, including hobbies - if they relate to skills needed for the job
• Ability to use initiative 
• Ability to work unsupervised 
• Successful projects you have undertaken
• Relevant test results 
• Your future career plans and long term goals

How would you answer the dreaded "weakness" question ?...

This is never an easy question to answer at the best of times, but when you are trying to impress during an interview it's certainly one to be very wary of !! 

Proceed to Activity 1.  When you have finished it, you will be guided through the rest of the activities.

Once you have completed this course you will be better equipped to go after those job opportunities with increased confidence.  It's a big world out there with many opportunities to explore.  Use what you have learned to make the most of what you have to offer.  The rest is up to you.  Good luck.