5 ways to crack that interview, next time

19 June 2016 - 02:00 By Margaret Harris

At last, you got a callback for an interview, after sending out countless CVs, but then, having convinced yourself that you are a shoo-in for the post, you get the rejection letter. What could have gone wrong?Kay Vittee, the CEO of recruitment agency Quest Staffing Solutions, and Quest recruiter Lyrichia van Zyl have the following advice:• Get your CV work-ready. Make sure it is up to date and you know exactly what you have written in it, so you can answer questions. "I cannot stress the importance of preparedness enough," says Vittee. "Use the company's website and social media platforms to gather as much information as possible."story_article_left1• Show your interviewers that you are the type of person they would want to hire by displaying professional behaviour. Arrive on time, and be friendly and polite to each person you meet - from the security guard to the PA.• Never bad-mouth a previous employer. You may have left your last job because your manager was a psychopathic narcissist, but it is better to say that it was not a good cultural fit.• When asked a question, do not answer with only "Yes" or "No". However, there is "a fine line between overselling yourself and not saying enough - always choose authenticity over arrogance", says Van Zyl; and• When you are asked if you have any questions, always have a list of potential questions prepared. "It shows that you've done your research and that you are interested in the position," says Vittee...

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