Earlier today we were interested to see the results of a new survey commissioned by CitySocialising on which accents can help or hinder job hunting. According to the results, an Irish accent can put you ahead in the job race, whereas a Glaswegian accent can act as something of a barrier.
These stats got us thinking. Here at Talent Direct we believe that being yourself is crucial to a successful job hunt – but we do also think that it’s vital to present yourself in the best way possible. In line with this thought, we’ve put together a few tips on presenting yourself well for interviews.
Dress Professionally. This seems like an obvious one, but it’s surprising how many candidates don’t follow this rule. A full suit may not always be appropriate if you’ve been invited to an informal interview, but it is still important to be smart. As a general rule, avoid jeans and if in doubt ask! It’s true that too formal is generally better than too informal – but it some industries (digital for example) this can be a barrier. Ask the recruiter or the person organising the interview if you are unsure.
Don’t Use Slang. It goes without saying that you should always keen your language clean when speaking to potential employers! Bear in mind too that it’s wise to avoid slang language.
Keep it Natural. When it comes to hair and make up, it pays to keep as natural and neat as possible. Don’t go overboard with make up, and try and keep your hair neat and tidy with only simple accessories.
Speak Slowly and Clearly. When you’re nervous, it’s really easy to fall into the trap of talking to quickly or mumbling. No matter how good what you’re saying is – if your interviewers can’t understand it’s unlikely to get you very far! Make an effort to speak slowly and clearly, and you’ll be in with a much better chance.
What are your key tips for interview presentation?
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Katie
