This is much simpler than it sounds. I once read a whole book of interview advice to learn what I am about to tell you in just a few sentences.

Here goes:

Every single answer must be positive.

I'm not saying lie and don't say anything negative. I'm saying think about how you say things. Mentally vet every sentence before it falls from your lips.

• Does it sound positive?

Most techies are allergic to selling, they come out in a rash and everything, its most unpleasant. Some techies are even uncomfortable with verbal communication period. Now this is a problem for you during an interview.

Most HR bods and hiring managers are going to be touchy feely sorts who want you to talk and perform and generally play the game. They will also be weighing you up on more physical aspects of communication, like body language, visual and verbal cues and are trained to pick up when you feel uncomfortable or insincere. So be prepared to babble on a bit, be prepared to put on an act.

Time kills all deals, even employment opportunities. The interview process is like any other in a busy managers life. It can stall, fall flat on it's face, get put on hold for no reason and just downright struggle to obtain any resolution. View the process as a whole lengthy procedure that you need to manage well to get to the end of. See yourself as an integral, contributing character with capability to help and positively influence the process and you will maximise your chances of success.

How can you do as much to assist in the process?

1. Be a responsive Candidate. Be helpful and keen without coming across as over eager.

Welcome to the interview circus. Now, allow me to introduce you to a new side of yourself. This side of you is submissive, cooperative, compliant, humble and helpful. 

These are all the qualities you will need in abundance to get through the next few months.

1. Are you going to get grilled?
2. Are you going to fluff and fail?
3. Will you stumble over the difficult questions?

Well really that is entirely down to you! No-one else, YOU.....

Before you step into that interview room, you must.

Have done adequate preparation.

As a recruiter, we have all dealt with them, arrogant sycophantic megalomaniacs who firmly believe that dealing with you is totally beneath them. They act like they have about 10 different hot Companies chasing them at any given time.

No-one wants to work with this sort of person.

Then there is the other end of the scale:

• The desperado jobseeker types who will bite your hand off for anything.
• They scream I'm desperate and will take anything.
• They hound your Clients like an intrepid sniffer dog.

 

We've all done it. Got 2-3 interviews out of the way, and then along comes a personnel or HR interview. Compared with senior management, this should be a doddle right? 

Wrong. Be on your guard. These people deal with people every day, they are experts.

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Tell me about your experience.
3. What is your most important accomplishment to date?
4. How would you describe your ideal  jobs?
5. Why did you choose this career?
6. When did you decide on this career?
7. What goals do you have in your career?

1. The Company

Every Company you interview with is going to want to see that you have taken an interest in them, their products, figures and philosophies.

2. Your CV

Have a copy with you at the interview.

3. Know your work history and be ready to talk it through.

4. Know answers to all the classic cliché interview questions.

You might be shooting me down right now, fearful that I am touting a load of hocus pocus baloney and airy fairy nonsense. This stuff actually works, try it.

Lets cut to the chase here, thousands of successful athletes use this technique to shore up their determination, belief and dedication to the process of winning. So that's what you're going to do to win the opportunity you want.

Here's how it works: