The importance of making appropriate travel arrangements to get to your interview may seem obvious. However, this is frequently a problem for candidates. Being late for an interview - even by only a few minutes - is a very common mistake but it will immediately count against you.
Where?
Where is the employer based? If the employer occupies a number of rooms in separate buildings, it is easy to end up in the wrong place.
You need to plan your route in advance. It may seem obvious but, if you need to get the train, where is the nearest railway station?
Sketch yourself a little map or, even better, print one from the Internet. This is an excellent resource: maps.Google.co.UK.
You need to check precisely where it is that you are expected to go and then make doubly sure that you know exactly how to get there.
When?
It is obviously vital for you to find out when the interview is to be held - calculate how long it will take you to get there and make sure that you leave in plenty of time (particularly if you are relying on public transport). You should be aiming to arrive at least ten minutes before the start of your interview - not ten minutes after!
Make sure that you're on time and you'll have an immediate advantage over those who turn up late. It's simple but it's true. Arriving late is consistently cited in surveys as one of the very top reasons that recruiters reject candidates at the interview stage.
STATISTIC
Nearly half of recruiters won't give a candidate a job if they are more than ten minutes late for an interview -regardless of how well they perform.
It's also important to arrive early in terms of allowing yourself time to relax and compose yourself.
Who?
You need the answers to the following three questions:
• What is the name of your primary contact?
• Who exactly will be interviewing you?
• What are their respective job titles?
If the organisation (or your recruitment agency) hasn't provided you with this information then it's imperative to find it out.
Personal safety
Your personal safety might not even cross your mind when you receive an invitation for an interview. You're probably far more focused on the opportunity the interview presents.
Whilst it is true that the vast majority of job interviews are straightforward in terms of personal safety, it doesn't take a great
effort to adhere to a few simple rules:
• First and foremost, always tell a friend, relative or trusted colleague precisely where you are going and what time you are expecting to be back.
• Never agree to be interviewed anywhere other than the organisation's premises or in some other public or official place.
• Try to arrange to have someone collect you if the interview is taking place outside normal office hours, especially if it's after dark. Never let the interviewer drive you home.
Uninvited guests
Whilst it's fine for someone to collect you after an interview, never take anyone with you to an interview. You should always attend an interview alone. The interviewer is not expecting you to arrive with a guest and won't be pleased if you do, even if you do think they can just wait for you in reception.
Confidence
Confident people inspire confidence in others; it's almost contagious. If you appear confident that you are able to do the job, the employer is likely to be more inclined to believe that you can.
Confidence is critical to a successful interview. Naturally it is important not to go to the other extreme and appear overconfident or arrogant - which is a surprisingly common mistake. You simply need to appreciate what your strengths are and to value yourself accordingly.
If a prospective employer has invited you for an interview then you obviously have something that appeals to them. Interviews are an expensive and time-consuming process and they wouldn't be making the effort unless they felt you had significant potential.
Enthusiasm
Whilst there's obviously a fine balance here, enthusiasm in an interview is essential - just don't overdo it! Recruiters often find that the person they are interviewing lacks enthusiasm - and this will naturally count against you. Sometimes it might just be due to nerves and shyness - but don't let this happen to you. Be enthusiastic - and show it. If you're not enthusiastic about the role - and about the organisation - then you won't do yourself justice. This is one of the easiest things to get right. Alongside confidence, enthusiasm is a trait that is guaranteed to impress an interviewer.
Show you are motivated. Talk about your work with enthusiasm. Demonstrate that you are keen to do your best.
Tone of voice
Nerves, confidence and enthusiasm will all be reflected in the way you speak. Nerves, stress and pressure will have a negative
impact, whilst confidence, enthusiasm and energy will come across positively.
Take some time prior to your interview to work on your tone of voice. You might feel a little mad talking out loud to the mirror but it's an exercise that's well worth trying!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Muhammad_Hamid_Khalid/947836
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