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It's not quite 'Phone a Friend' but the internet can be a great resource when preparing for an interview
Placing your CV with PeopleBank is one of the most effective ways of finding a new job, thousands of potential employers can access your details so that the right job finds you. The internet is changing the way people find a new career, but that's not all, the internet can help with the later stages of jobseeking too.
We all know that preparing for an important interview can greatly improve our chances of success and the internet is a great resource. PeopleBank have compiled a list of top tips that can help with all aspects of interview preparation.
Know your stuff by researching the company. This is undoubtedly the most important thing you can do before an interview. It only takes a few minutes and you'll be surprised at how much you can learn.
First stop is the company's corporate website. You'll find that most employers have their own website these days. Have a search and you are sure to find the company's history, statistics and plans for the future. Make a note of these and refer to them in your interview. Not only will you look super informed and net savvy, you'll also have something to fall back on in that horrible "Do you have any questions" section!
Newspaper articles are a great resource if the company doesn't have it's own website, or if you happen to know that they've been in the news a fair bit recently. Many online newspapers have a business section with their own searchable archives, which are easy to use. Some good sites to try are www.ft.com, www.guardian.co.uk and www.telegraph.co.uk.
Company directories will give you a lot of unbiased factual information about the company that you are researching. On some sites you might have to pay if you want complex reports or management strategies but basic information is free. Try the Department of Trade & Industry approved www.bird-online.co.uk or www.Hoovers.com/uk who offer 'capsule' information on large companies for free.
Trade magazines are very useful for sounding out a company. Often you'll find information about competitor activity or up and coming projects of theirs that have yet to make it into the national news or onto their website. Armed with this knowledge you'll look 100% interested in the company and aware of the trade press associated with their industry. Try www.managementtoday.co.uk and look out for news stories, staff appointments and marketing activities all related to the company in question.
Ok. So now you've done your company research and are ready for whatever they throw at you. But how else can the internet help you?
Questions! Questions! Questions!
Most companies these days do some sort of aptitude test as part of their interview process. Whether it's a basic typing test or a twenty page psychometric nightmare, we could all do with a bit of practice beforehand. Again the internet can give you a head start. There are many sites that can give you examples of what to expect and having a go at them will get the brain into gear, try www.namss.org.uk/jobassess.htm. Also, try doing the crossword in the newspaper.
Cookies of the non-edible variety
In every business today there are many words and phrases that can baffle the rest of us. Whatever field you work in it might be an idea to brush up on the lingo. For web stuff go to www.netlingo.com to sort your URL from your PDF. Also go to www.Hoovers.com/uk where they have a Jargon Buster section and you can have some fun playing 'Death by Jargon'!
Relax
An important interview can rattle even the most confident of individuals. Before an interview it's essential to relax and stay calm. There are many sites dedicated to the art of relaxation, www.mindtools.com has some tips on breathing and coping with stressful situations. Alternatively, the web is fantastic for good old-fashioned fun! There are literally hundreds of sites dedicated to the pursuit of fun and games. Most big sites have a game section, MSN for example. For the big kid in us all go to Nestlé's www.wonka.com.
Don't give your self away!
Your body language during an interview can tell an interviewer a lot about you. Many of us have picked up bad habits in our posture and gesture that we don't even notice anymore. There are many common actions that an interviewer might look out for. A lack of eye contact is commonly associated with telling fibs and a twitching foot can give away just how nervous you are. There are many sites on the net, but remember when it comes to body language in an interview, the golden rule is ROLE, which stands for Relaxed, Open, Learning and Eye contact. Also, just for the record, resting your feet on the table is not a good idea.
"Sorry I'm late. My dog ate my A to Z"
The final stage in your research is crucial. Arriving late to an interview will only start you off on a bad foot, whatever your reason might be, so planning your journey is vital. Online there are loads of useful sites that you can use to do just this, www.streetmap.co.uk can help you pin point where you need to get to whilst www.pti.org.uk can help you plan what transport you need to get there.
If you follow this guide you'll be way ahead of the competition when it comes to that all important interview.
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