Blog

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GET INTERVIEW READY

You finally received the phone call and have been invited to attend an interview? After handing out your resume to countless jobs and suddenly you hit the Panic button! 

What do I wear? What questions will they ask and how do I respond? No need to cause alarm bells, that’s where we at ITG are here to assist you. 

Let’s start by breaking down the interview process into 3 key areas to focus:

• Presentation - What is considered “appropriate attire”

• Prepare yourself - Understand who you are meeting with and get to know them?

• Punctuality - Ensure you know your route and arrive at least 5-10 minutes early.

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PRESENTATION - THE INTERVIEW ATTIRE!

Did you know that naturally a person will make a first impression in the first 7 seconds of meeting you? So whilst we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, it’s human nature to do so. 

Hence why they say “First Impression is last” looking your best for an interview is essential. 

So how do you prepare without the nerves? Let me start by telling you nerves are actually a good sign. Not too nervous of course; but having those nerves can actually give a good indication on how much you want this role.

The Wardrobe: You want to make sure what you're wearing is immaculate, professional, clean, pressed/ironed and is well fitted without being too revealing. You can't go wrong with wearing neutral colours such as Greys, Blacks and Browns. Avoid wearing bright eye-catching colours or prints as it makes it easier for the brain to pay attention to how you handle yourself & talk.  Take a selfie and send it to someone you are comfortable with if you are unsure. 

Body language: Another big one to keep in mind, avoid being slouched over, having your arms crossed or avoiding eye contact as these things can show that you are uninterested or dishonest. Handy hint: Look into the company you are interviewing with to get an idea of the kind of work attire they expect as well as the person to find out the history and vision. 

BE PREPARED

The Clock: Arriving on time to your interview is absolutely crucial. Arriving late only results in that first impression and will only make you more nervous and undo all the hard work in preparing yourself those past 24 hours. But trust us it doesn't end there! 

The Notes: Do your homework on the company, interviewer and understand who they are, their values, when they were established, any key information is handy to bring up and shows that you took the time and effort to get to know them. 

Before leaving the interview ask a few questions, show an interest in the company, questions. Some examples could be one or 2 of the following:

• Is this role a newly created role or would I be replacing someone?

• Can you tell me a little about the day to day responsibilities in this role?

• What are some of the company’s long term goals/vision?

• What kind of person would you envision in this role?

• How would you describe the office culture?

Another great way to be prepared is knowing your CV/resume like the back of your hand, this shouldn't be too difficult with your current/previous experience. At the end of the day, questions at the start of your interview will revolve around your previous experience and give the hiring manager an indication of your skillset.

Handy hint: think about your strong points, area’s you feel you could improve and long term profession & personal goals! You may not be asked to list them out, however adding them in here and there shows you know yourself well and the kind of worker you are!

PUNCTUALITY

As I mentioned in my previous point, Punctuality, punctuality, punctuality, did we mention PUNCTUALITY? We can’t stress this one enough. Not only does it help build confidence in you as a person but also shows your potential employer that they can depend on you to stick to your word! 

Impressions: Being late to your interview can show that you may struggle with time management and fail to pay attention to important details or that you don't value other people’s time. Obviously, circumstances that are simply unavoidable like a traffic road closure, accident etc,  are of course, difficult to predict at times, however making sure you have the interviewer’s number to call if you are running late. Handy hint: Google the estimated travel time at the time you would be travelling and double it! Better to be safe than sorry and have the contact number handy if you need to get in touch.

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Goals: Getting ready for your interview doesn't have to be hard or intimidating! Know yourself, your goals and what you are wanting from your next role. 

Your ITG Specialist will discuss these with you to help prepare before going to your interview for tips and to get you feeling confident and full of energy!

Innovative Talent Group are HR & Recruitment Talent Specialists based in Essendon Fields. Servicing across Melbourne Metropolitan. Our team are talent experts in sourcing, nurturing and placing quality, skilled and high performing professionals within the temporary, permanent and contract roles across various sectors; including our niche market; Real Estate, Property & Finance.

If you are looking for assistance for staff or a new career path, get in touch with our talent team today!

Register on our website www.innovativetr.com.au or get in touch with one of  our specialists 9626 9519.

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