Here are five guidelines you can follow to give yourself the extra edge:
- Observe the rules of interview etiquette. Come early, dress well. Be modest in appearance. Don't wear a very heavy make-up.
- Show your communication skills. This is a most important aspect in which an applicant can set herself apart. An applicant should take time before the interview to think about how she wants to present herself.
- Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and the industry. Numerous applicants fail to research about their fields. A bank applicant should not only show a familiarity with the company and it's bank's training program but also issues such as banking deregulation that affects the entire industry.
- Be able to discuss you r career goals or your ambition. These are two important things that usually come across in every interview. Show that you're willing to take steps toward attaining them and express your desire to get ahead. Back this up with a strong record of your past jobs to make it credible.
- Be yourself. Candidness and honesty are very important. See to it that information you have furnished are all based on your knowledge, and be sure they are accurate. Be frank about what you've found difficult in the past and what you've done to overcome these difficulties. Remember, a good self image in every interview can be the clinching factor. Everything you said will be credited in your own self presentation. Don't forget: “People who are honest and have positive feeling about their self-presentation are people who are bound to succeed.”
