Interview Help

Before the Interview

Identify your strengths and weaknesses, goals, skills, etc.
Find out in advance as much as possible about the company and make sure you have good reasons why you would want to work for this company.
Get a copy of the job description and measure yourself against the exact requirements.
Practice answers to common questions.
Prepare yourself for the question: Tell me about yourself. The ensuing monologue is where you can score points and should be a 3 to 4 minute overview of your career to date and an outline of your character.
Prepare questions to ask the employer.
Think of at least half a dozen relevant questions to ask. Learn those questions by heart. Omitting questions on salary, annual leave, benefits etc. Prepare yourself for the question: what do you think you bring to the company? Make sure that you have 3 -4 good ideas. Think of your transferable skills (these are skills that you are currently utilising or have done previously that relate to the role you are being interviewed for).

Be positive, upbeat, and enthusiastic.
Express yourself clearly with a strong voice and good diction and grammar.
Pay close attention to your personal appearance; dress professionally.
Offer a firm handshake.
Look the interviewer in the eye (but don't stare him or her down).
Fill out any applications neatly and completely.
Have as much knowledge about the industry, employer, and position as possible.
Equip yourself with a strong knowledge of the company.
Have questions prepared about the employer and position.
Display a sense of humour.
Be self-confident.
Remember the interviewer's name and use it during the interview.
Take time to think before answering difficult or unexpected questions.
Be honest when asked why you want to leave you current employer. But don’t be negative about management, culture etc.
Ask if there is going to be a second interview and when it is likely to take place.

If you want the job, let them know that this is the case. Be prepared to sell yourself (if you don’t no one else will).

Don't be late to the interview.
Don't be overbearing, overaggressive.
Don't show a lack of interest or enthusiasm.
Don't emphasize money as your main interest in the job.
Don't expect too much too soon - be open to the idea of starting at the bottom and working your way up.
Don’t complain about your current company.
Don't be indecisive.
Don't display intolerance or prejudice.
Don't go to the interview unless you are genuinely interested in the role as this will show at the interview.
Don't contradict yourself in responses.
Don't glorify your past experiences - getting into a job for which you are under qualified is not recommended.

The original reasons for you wanting to resign have not disappeared.
60 percent of people who have accepted a counter offer will still resign within one year because their position becomes untenable.
If your employer thought that you were worth the higher salary then why did they wait until you resigned to pay you the salary that you deserve.
The money to finance your higher salary is likely to come out of your next rise.
You will not have along term future with the company as your employer will now think that you are disloyal. You have also made it known that you feel there are things wrong with the company. By offering you a better deal he could just be buying time while he grooms your replacement.
Your chances of getting a promotion are severely diminished.
You have tarnished your reputation in your industry. You are labelled unreliable after accepting a position and then turning it down.
Your relationship with your current manager will change and you may find yourself being left out of things that you would have usually been involved in as the trust between you will have disappeared.