Making the right impression in an interview

At The Smart Contractor we understand that many contractors struggle with making the right impression in an interview.

But why do they struggle? First, when they set up their contracting business they kind of imagined that their interview days were over – and of course that’s not the case. Second, they’re human and interviews are tough.

 

 

With this in mind, we’ve put together this simple Top 10 Tips to help you get through even the toughest of interviews:

1. Be organised. Being organised for interview makes the experience a whole lot easier. What’s more, good interviewers can sniff out whether you’re organised or not. Basic things like making sure you have your travel plans spot on and arrive at the right time means you won’t be flustered. You should also make sure you’ve done your homework well ahead of time so you’re not rushing at the last minute.
2. Be prepared. Being prepared for interview means that the first impression you give is one of confidence and calm. Making sure you know your interviewers pain points as well as why you’re the best person for the job is an absolute minimum.
3. Manage stress. It’s normal to be stressed at interview. In fact, no stress generally leads to a mediocre performance, but you need to manage your stress so it’s under control. Spend some time ahead of the interview to master a couple of stress management techniques that you can use on the day. That way you can use the adrenalin flow to your advantage.
4. Look the part. Dressing appropriately needn’t mean dressing like someone else or spending a fortune. However, it’s important to do your research and understand the dress code of the company you’re going to – even if you are going to spend most of your time contracting from home. This one’s simple really – here’s no point turning up in a suit and tie if the whole team are in ripped denims and vintage Converses. However, you certainly don’t want to turn up in ripped denims and vintage converses if they’re all in suits. Do your homework, dress according to your findings and work on making the right impression.
5. Be yourself. While there’s no place at interview for the banter you’d share with your friends on a Friday night, it’s important to allow your personality to shine through. At the end of the day, if you get the contract, you’re going to be yourself, so it’s best to let them see a bit of the real you right from the start.
6. Be positive. No one likes a moaner. Even if you’ve become a contractor for negative reasons, such as redundancy or long-term unemployment, put a positive spin on it at interview. Make sure you sound enthusiastic about what you can bring to the table without being ‘gushy’.
7. Be aware of your body language. Your body says a whole lot about you before you even open your mouth. Standing up straight, looking your interviewers in the eye, sitting comfortably but confidently and open to your interviewer all show that you’re quietly confident and comfortable.
8. Use your voice. Even if you’re nervous you can practice controlling your voice to hide your nerves. Make sure you speak in a natural way, varying the volume and pitch of your voice to add emphasis and interest to what you say.
9. Ask questions. Prepare some questions ahead of time so you look and sound interested. Try to focus on the big picture as well as the detail of the contract you’re pitching for.
10. Consider sending a Thank You note. Thank You notes aren’t always appropriate, but they can be a nice touch in the right situation. If you feel as if a Thank You note will add value to your initial impression – send one.

At The Smart Contractor, we work with people like you day-in and day-out and we’d love to hear how we could help make your contracting journey easier, better or more successful.

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