Job interviews are nerve-racking, but applicants have more control than they may think. Here are ten tips to make the most of your time in the hot seat:
1. Rather than taking a subservient position, speak to the interviewer as an equal. Respect, directness and politeness can all go hand in hand.
2. Start with the end in mind. What do you want the outcome to be? What do you want to learn from the interviewer? State your expectations from the beginning.
3. Don't just describe past experiences. It's more engaging to talk about your current role and transferrable skills.
4. Ask where the interviewer wants you to begin. Listen carefully. Identify areas of interest rather than just saying what's on your CV. I've seen candidates go through 42-slide PowerPoint presentations as a means of introduction. That's not good.
5. Get feedback. Check in with the interviewer on a regular basis and ask for their views on what you've told them. Then you can give targeted responses.
6. Don't leave important questions until the end. You might not have enough time, so clarify what you want to know early on. You worked hard to get this interview, so make it count.
7. Give the interviewer permission to interrupt you if they want to change the topic, but also remember your own right to interrupt them if you feel the job is not right for you. Your time is just as important as the interviewer's.
8. Bring up money. If the job advert said "salary competitive", find out at the start if the details will be discussed in the interview or at a later time. If the interviewer asks you what your ideal compensation would be, throw the question back at them and ask what budget has been approved for the role.
9. Ask when you can expect to hear back. What happens next? Simple, direct questions may save you a lot of anxiety.
10. Keep post-interview emails short. Refer back to the conversation you had rather than introducing new information. In-person interaction will secure the deal, not an email.