Make your 1st interview count

These days, following the initial phone follow-up, the next step will be an interview with a Windsor Consultant.

The purpose of this is to see how you measure up against the wants, needs and cultural environment of a particular role within a specific company. And ‘measure up’ is an active technique: candidates are rated quite specifically against selection criteria – even though the actual interview will appear to be a pleasant and somewhat informal occasion.

You can take as a given that being granted this first Consultant interview means that  you, your skills and experience fit within the broad (and often flexible) parameters of the job.

You’re in with a chance.  Give yourself a pat on the back, enjoy the boost to your confidence and begin to prepare seriously for Round 2.

Now, this is where the competition starts to hot up. Depending on the role and its level of seniority and expertise, a Consultant may interview as many as ten contenders before submitting a short list of (generally) three recommended candidates.

The hope here is that all three will be comparable in quality and potential value to the employer who then has the scope to choose the person whose personality and style best matches the existing conditions.

If you get to the ‘shortlist’ stage, you can then expect to be asked to attend between one and three more interviews and perhaps undergo pychographic testing.

Even that sounds a little intimidating, remember that this is also where you’ll find you have the full support of your Windsor Consultant. He or she will ‘go to bat’ for you – championing your application and negotiating all its aspects, including your salary package.

But first you have to win them to your corner. And here’s how you do it.

Check your referees
Make sure each and every one is still at the contact point you’ve given in your CV. Confirm that he/she is still happy to provide you with a reference.

Then, try a spend a few minutes outlining the role and what you believe will be your contribution. That way, when someone rings asking for a testimonial, you have every chance that it will be good and thought through.

There’s little worse than being put on the spot to provide a detailed endorsement of someone you may not have talked to in a long time.

Make copies of any additional collateral
This presentation might include written references, acknowledgements of work-related awards and so on. Be prepared to leave these copies behind. If you’re in a visual, creative or IT type of role, be sure to bring a small folio of work or offer details of where in can be viewed online.

Revise and revise again
You will have practised your question-and-answer routine before the phone interview(s) that brought you to interview. Go over it again and again, until you’re absolutely certain that you can answer any question fluidly and with confidence.

Choose what you wear with care
We can’t stress enough the importance of presenting professionally. That does not imply that everyone has to dress up to the nines in corporate high fashion.

What it does mean is that your clothes and grooming should present you as the smartest possible package – appropriate to the role that you’re applying for.

If in doubt, ring the Consultant and ask about the employer’s dress code.

Bring additional copies of your CV with you
Arrive early so that you can spend a few minutes in the bathroom to wash your hands and check your appearance. Relax completely with a few deep breaths.

While you wait in the foyer to be admitted, read through your CV one last time to help you focus on the job in hand. Then put it away: you don’t want to be fumbling with paper when you should be shaking hands!

Introduce yourself clearly
Tell reception who it is you’re meeting and the time of your appointment. It’s often a good idea to check the pronunciation of your Consultant’s name at this point.

Take care with the forms
Fill out any forms in their entirety in clear, legible writing. Double check the contact details - you’d be amazed how many people will transpose familiar numbers when they’re under stress.

Be friendly but not too forward
Greet your interviewer warmly. Smile. Use the person’s name. Shake hands. Maintain good eye contact and don’t slouch.

Then, be yourself – but on your best behaviour. You’re here to convince this Consultant that you are – without doubt – the best person for the job. He or she is here to test that hypothetical to the limit.

Listen carefully and engage
Listen to what you’re being asked. Think before you speak. Never give yes or no answers but try to use each answer to make a point in your own favour (not always possible).

Don’t let anything fluster you – mostly there are no right or wrong answers.

If you feel unsure about anything, ask the Consultant to repeat the question or to frame it in another way. You should also feel relaxed about asking for a little time to think about a reply before you answer.

Your prospective employer should be revealed at this point
Again listen to what you’re being told. Ask questions about the company, its products, culture, philosophy – whatever you need to know. But keep it brief.

The smart way is to tell your Consultant that you will be checking the website and googling the corporation and would appreciate the opportunity to phone in with any further questions in a day’s time.

Speak no evil
No matter what has happened in previous jobs, avoid criticizing or blaming anyone at all costs.

Interviewers will set traps and only diplomacy can win.

Be honest about your expectations
Both the Consultant and the client have a very good idea of current talent values in the marketplace and will have already discussed the possibilities (and progressions) for this role.

So don’t try and pull the wool, or inflate where you’re coming from. It can only come back and bite you.

Be really honest with the Consultant who after all will be acting as your advocate if you become one of the favoured contenders.

Don’t linger
Your Consultant will make it clear when the interview has been completed. You’re within your right to ask what happens next and when you can expect some feedback.

Once that’s established, don’t linger. Shake hands, smile, farewell the Consultant by name and thank him/her very much for the opportunity to meet.

As soon as you get home, pen a thank you note. E-mail if you absolutely must, but handwritten TYL’s win hands-down every time.