The 5 Golden Rules Of Job Interview Success

Your CV has had the impact that you want and you are invited for interview.  At this stage you are in serious contention for the role.  So what are the 5 golden rules to being successful in the job interview?

 

Rule 1: Do Your Research

 

When I was first on the job market 30+ years ago, doing your research was difficult.  There was no internet, social media and other information in the public domain was a lot more limited.

 

These days this is just not the case.  Doing and demonstrating that you have done your research is an essential part of success in job interviews.  I would go as far as saying it contributes about 70% to your success.

 

Rule 2: Identify Potential Questions In Advance

 

For most jobs there is an advert, a job description and a person specification.  All of these are great source documents for identifying potential questions.

 

In most job interviews there are going to be questions to:

 

  • Determine your level of understanding of the organisation and/or sector
  • Assess your technical skills
  • Assess your business skills
  • Find out about you
  • Assess you management and leadership skills (where appropriate)

 

Rule 3: Write Answers Out To Questions

 

Is this not a lot of work?  Yes it is and it is effort and time well invested.  It will mean that you have answers at your finger tips and are therefore more confident and articulate in responses.

 

Rule 4: Speak Your Answers Out Loud

 

Yes this might feel a bit odd.  Even better than just speaking out loud try recording yourself or have someone else record you speaking your answers out loud.

 

Rule 5: Be An Equal

 

It is easy to feel like all the trump cards are in the hands of the recruiters.  While they have the job, you are also assessing them in terms of whether they are the type of people you would enjoy working with.  Going into an interview as an equal will improve your performance and help you better manage your nerves.

 

The Bottom Line: Job interviews are challenging and at the same time there is plenty you can do to stack the odds in your favour.

 

Duncan Brodie helps accountants and professionals achieve more career success.  He invites you to take advantage of his free audio masterclass.

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

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1 comment
Jade O'Neill says 11 June 2013

I have to agree with you here, first and foremost is definitely your CV. It is hard for people to get a job they feel comfortable with these days which is such a shame. Thank god there are hundreds of websites, such as this one, that aim to help those who really need it!

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