Page 218 - James Caan - Get the Job you Really Want

It’s always useful to bring something you have prepared
16 in advance – a short presentation, a document,
something that demonstrates the quality of the work
you do – but don’t oversell it. Let the interviewer
discover for themselves how good you are.

During the interview aim to ask the interviewer as many
17 questions about the job and the company as they are

asking you. You are trying to maintain a balance of
power. The interview should be a two-way dialogue, not
an inquisition.

Plan ahead for the standard questions you will always be
18 asked – such as, ‘Why do you want to leave your current
employer?’ – so that you don’t need to worry about

those and can respond naturally and confidently to any
unexpected questions.

Don’t worry unduly about showing nerves: they prove

19 you really want the job. A little dash of self-deprecating
humour can help relax the mood. Be upbeat, friendly,
show you would fit in – and maybe send a thank-you
note afterwards.

Practise answering killer questions in advance, so you
20 have an original, relevant answer, and try to avoid the
trite tactic of immediately asking a question back. Work

out what lies behind each question: what does the
interviewer really want to know?

206 get the job you really want