The internet is absolutely teeming with articles, blogs and resources all about how to prepare for an interview.
But let’s be honest, you’ve probably heard it all before…
- Don’t be late. (REALLY?!)
- Dress to impress. (Because I’m sure you were going to show up in joggers.)
- Smile!
So this week I figured we should try thinking “outside the box.” Surely there are some, more unique tips out there about how to nail your next interview?
Well - here are the 5 best, most imaginative ones I could find…
1. Clench your buttocks.
Do you shake when you’re nervous?
This can be pretty off-putting for an interviewer who might think that you lack confidence and that you’ll allow nerves to get the better of you in other situations too.
But according to the Guardian, there is a simple solution – clench your buttocks!
This apparently makes it “almost impossible” to get the shakes.
(Try not to make it too obvious though…)
2. Be colourful.
Traditionally, interviewees tend to show up in a plain black, grey or dark blue suit, white shirt or blouse and a tie.
It doesn’t have to be this way!
Adding a splash of colour will actually make us (subconsciously) think that you have more personality and will definitely increase our likelihood of remembering you (as opposed to other applicants who all wear pretty much the same thing)!
Of course, there is a line that you shouldn’t cross - you still need to look smart – but a bit of colour never hurt anyone.
Click here to see Susannah Breslin’s take on this.
3. Eat Something.
There is nothing more off-putting in an interview than a rumbling tummy.
We heard it, you know we heard it, we know you know we heard it… but no one says anything - it’s bound to make everyone feel a little bit awkward and put you off your game.
At least try and get something little down you, right before the interview.
Hint: don’t eat anything smelly! Pilchards are an absolute no-no.
4. Schedule for Tuesday at 10.30am.
Apparently, according to Glassdoor, this is the best time for you to attend an interview…
- It’s not too late in the week when everyone and everything’s starting to slow down.
- It’s not too early in the week, when everyone’s in a bad mood and rushing around.
- It’s not too late in the day, when your interviewer’s just thinking about going home.
- It’s not just before lunch when your interviewer’s just thinking about food!
There are so many different things to consider – but apparently Tuesday 10.30am is the sweet spot.
5. Be kind to fellow commuters.
This one’s from me…
On your way to an interview, you’re bound to be feeling the pressure, but it’s absolutely essential that you remain calm, keep a straight face and are friendly to everyone you meet.
This is for two reasons…
- Being kind to others (rather than grumpy) will subconsciously keep your spirits high, so when you meet your interviewer, you’re more likely to be in a good mood.
- You never know who you’re going to bump into on your journey. Think about it, your potential colleagues and even bosses, are all heading to the same place.
If you do manage to irritate a potential co-worker on your way into the office, you can guarantee that your interviewer will find out at some point.
This poor candidate learnt the hard way… "Commuter swears at fellow passenger on way to job interview, to find man is recruiter."
Ready for your interview..?
I hope you found these slightly more oddball tips useful – it just goes to show, there are so many different things to consider before interviews.
(If you do need some more standard advice, click here.)
Recruiter Pro Tip Most interview tips are pretty common sense, but you’d be surprised what people forget in high-pressure situations. The two most important bits of advice I can give you are…
- Be yourself. There’s really no point faking it; if you don’t fit in with a company, you don’t want the job anyway.
- Be confident. Easier said than done, I know. Check out this blog to find out how to fake it.
At the end of the day, your interviewers are human beings too and even if you do embarrass yourself - it’s not the end of the world – you probably won’t ever have to see them again!
If you’d like more tips on how to find a job and impress at interviews, click here to subscribe to our blog – we’ll send over a short weekly email with the latest.
Good luck.
