Pole position

The interview: Be prepared
Do some homework before the interview. Look at the company's website for background information and think about what key attributes they were looking for in the advert. Prepare some anecdotes that show you have what they want.

Then there's the panic over what to wear. 'If in doubt, wear a conservative business suit - grey, black or blue - with a blouse,' says Nickels. 'If you turn up and everyone's in jeans, you can make a joke about it and break the ice. But if you turn up in the latest trendy fashions and they're all in suits, you will look unprofessional, feel embarrassed and probably perform badly. Dress codes and attitudes have changed but "business dress" culture still exists in all industries.'

She stresses the importance of first impressions: 'At least 80 per cent of our initial impressions about someone are based on body language. Look and sound the part, smile and you are 80 per cent there.'

The style of the interview depends on the company and the industry. Questions may be used to establish which candidate has the most relevant experience or how their personalities will fit the company. 'My daughter went for interview at a media production company. When she came in the MD played a bugle to announce her arrival' says Rose. 'Questions included "What's your favourite colour?" and "If you were an animal, what would you be?"'

If the interviewer focuses on negative points, turn them around. If they say, 'you don't have enough experience in?', Rose recommends the response: 'True, I've not had that opportunity, however my experience in ... means I'm very well prepared for ...'

At the end of the interview, you'll be asked if you have any questions. Don't wade in with 'What's the salary?' First ask a few questions about the team, training, company and culture. Only then is it OK to ask about salary, the rest of the recruitment process and when you can expect to hear from them.

CONTACTS

www.intuity.co.uk

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