Part 11 (1/2)

I'd say always make sure you know exactly what the job entails. I was applying for anything that said 'Editorial a.s.sistant' and so ended up in an interview for a magazine unnamed in the advert which turned out to be Air Ambulance Monthly. Try feigning an interest in emergency transportation with 5 minutes' notice! I'd also say that you should always try to stay composed and confident even if you think the interview started badly, or you think you're underqualified. In my BCA interview I made the mistake of reading (upside down) the note scribbled on my CV by one of the interviewers beforehand. It said 'Worth a look??', which didn't exactly fill me with confidence. But I got the job.

(SUZIE DOORe, SENIOR EDITOR, HODDER & STOUGHTON, UK).

Browse a few big bookshops/newsagents to see which books/magazines from this company are on shelf. If you're interviewing for a job in marketing, look at their promotional displays. If you're into design, look at the covers.

So far as job interviews are concerned there is no subst.i.tute for preparation. It's essential to learn as much as you can both about the industry and about the company in question. If you can actually get some first-hand information from other employees or organisations, eg booksellers who would know the company, so much the better.

(PATRICK GALLAGHER, CHAIRMAN, ALLEN AND UNWIN, AUSTRALIA).

Check out compet.i.tor websites (anyone publis.h.i.+ng magazines or books similar to your potential employer's).

Ask friends in the industry what they think of the company; trawl industry magazines (The Bookseller, Bookseller Publisher, Media Week and so on) for gossip and news about the company. Don't repeat anything bad or derogatory in the interview, of course. Be aware of your prospective employer's reputation and be able to ask relevant questions: 'I noticed your managing director joined the group six months ago. What sort of changes has she brought to the company?' will make a seriously good impression.

4. Dress to impress First impressions count. A lot. That initial greeting will get you halfway to the job if you look right. This is important not just for front office or sales roles, where you'll be very visible, but for all jobs. Even for editorial/production jobs that are mostly internal, the interviewer still has to like the look of you and be able to imagine seeing your face every morning. Basically, by looking professional and well groomed, you're decreasing your chances of someone objecting to something about you, and increasing your chances of getting the job. In fact, when it comes to personal appearance, you're not so much trying to make an impression at all as trying to avoid making a bad one.

The best tip I'd give anyone going for any job is just be yourself. People like to like people and the best way to get them to like you is to be you. It seems ludicrous advice until you try it. Be brave. Oh yes, and smile a lot and smell nice. (STEPHEN HANc.o.c.kS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, BRITISH DENTAL JOURNAL) Top Rules for Interview Accessorising Dress the part If you look professional and right for the job, it's much easier for the interviewer to visualise you at that desk. As a rule of thumb, interview wear is a little more formal then what people actually wear in the office. Publis.h.i.+ng is a creative industry that does not mean you can show up in your slick Sat.u.r.day night gear and expect to get the gig.

Staff wear business casual (trousers, and s.h.i.+rts)?

You: wear a suit.

Staff wear suits?

You: definitely wear a suit.

Staff wear casual gear (jeans and t-s.h.i.+rt)?

You: think trousers and a s.h.i.+rt. If in doubt: wear a suit.

Job is sales, front-desk or anything else where you are representing the company?

You: pull out (yep) that suit.

Your interview is on a Friday and they do 'casual Fridays'?

You: don't.

'Suit' means tailored jacket and trousers or a skirt for girls, and full suit and tie for guys, from a decent quality shop Selfridges, Jigsaw in the UK, Witchery, David Jones in Australia if you can manage it. If you're broke, it's worth saving to get a really good interview outfit you feel happy in. If you really can't manage it, borrow from a friend or try vintage shops, or the conservative end of the less expensive high street stores. If you feel overdressed or it's a hot day, start in your jacket and take it off when you're in.

Suit colour should be conservative beige, dark blue, browns all good. Grey is less severe than black. Add a splash of colour with jewellery, a scarf, tie or handbag to lift the look and show your style.

It's far, far better to overdress and have the mickey gently taken out of you 'You didn't have to dress up for little old us!' than to sit there feeling like you've arrived in your pyjamas.

The easiest way to do this is to have an interview outfit that's appropriate and helps you feel confident, and dust it off for interviews. You'll want to vary the s.h.i.+rt/accessories between first and second interviews.

Shoes should be clean and polished and not show toes (especially for guys).

Hide tattoos, tone down out-there haircuts. You want interviewers remembering your snappy answers, not your outrageous frock.

I sometimes get asked to be part of an interview panel within publis.h.i.+ng; firms often like an external, and objective, viewpoint. I remember once interviewing candidates for a senior job as commissioning editor, a job that would require extensive liaison with academics and professional information managers. The person who turned out to be the runner-up candidate turned up in a low-slung pair of trousers, a decorated belly b.u.t.ton and a crop top which showed a large expanse of her midriff. We like to think we chose solely on the quality of the application, but frankly the surrounding presentation did not feel appropriate to the position for which she was interviewing.

(ALISON).

For women, hair and accessories should be simple and stylish. Hair should be well groomed; make-up simple and low key today is not the day for bright purple lipstick with a sparkle. Nothing should dangle, including earrings. Low heels are professional. Take it easy with the perfume.

For men, clean-shaven is better, or neatly trimmed if you usually wear facial hair (though in current style, goatees can look studenty and beards hippy, so best to remove if you can bear it. Ditto jewellery other than a simple ring). Gentle on the aftershave.

Sorry if this sounds boring. You can probably relax these guidelines a little if you are a designer, though not too much: your interviewers may be senior managers used to people in suits. By all means add a touch of your own flair and personality a quirky ring, a bracelet, deep red lipstick, a stylish scarf or tie. Quiet sophistication and style can be shown in your accessories. Which brings us on to ...

Accessories Carry a professional briefcase, shoulder bag or handbag, big enough to fit a folder or papers. Women can be tempted to take a handbag and separate folder, but this can lead to fumbling. Men should keep keys, wallet and other stuff in a briefcase to avoid Lumpy Pocket Syndrome. Quality accessories show your quality: metal pen, leather bag.

The successful interview for my first job? I'd broken my arm two weeks earlier playing football, so looked like a real idiot suited up and looking professional but for my arm in a sling. To my amazement, the then Marketing Manager at Lothian, Liz Foley, came out to interview me with her arm in a sling, the result of a skiing incident. Consequently we talked broken arms for a good ten minutes, so by the time the interview actually started I was feeling very comfortable and confident. This was clearly the best way to break into publis.h.i.+ng!

(KEIRAN ROGERS, MARKETING MANAGER, HARDIE GRANT, AUSTRALIA).

More accessories * Two clean copies of your CV one for you and one for them * Samples of past work/references can be good mention them, and you can pull them out if they are requested, and not if not * Pen and notebook for writing notes, to remind you of questions to ask, etc I once interviewed a nice chap who showed all other signs of interest in the role, but didn't carry anything not a copy of his CV, not a notepad and pen. Eventually I offered him a pen and paper and he said no thanks. I figured he wasn't that interested in the job if he couldn't be bothered making notes. (SUSANNAH) 5. 20 questions to ask Picture this. Your interview is going swimmingly; you are knowledgeable, self-deprecating and witty, and getting on like old mates with the interviewer (though actually, being too matey in an interview can backfire see below).

At the end the recruiter says, 'Right, that's me done; what would you like to know?'

You: 'Umm ... nothing, thanks.'

You walk out, thinking I'm in there; the interviewer makes a note on your CV: No questions, no imagination, no job.

Questions show that you were listening, thinking critically, have something to say and are interested.

Here are 20 questions you could start with. Don't use them all, and do bear in mind that we are giving you a list of 20 suggestions, not 20 short scripts; each will have to be customised to the situation. So just taking our first example, instead of bluntly saying: 'What's the interview process?' you might be better asking: 'Can you tell me how the interview process works?'

1. What's the interview process? How many people are you shortlisting, and what happens now? (This could be a second interview, psychological testing, project, reference checking ... or a decision.) 2. What's the company culture like?

3. Where is your group/division/company going?

4. What are the key issues you face?

5. What are some recent successes of your group/division/company?

6. What are some of the challenges your group/division/company faces?

7. Who are your main compet.i.tors?

8. 'I notice you publish a lot in the social sciences. Do you have plans to move into humanities as well?' 'Several of your nonfiction scholarly t.i.tles have performed very well. Is there a market trend here that you're responding to?' that kind of thing. Show off your familiarity with the company and their product. This where your research pays off.

9. Why is the position vacant?

10. What happened to the person who's been doing this role until you advertised it?

11. Would I be reporting to you? (Try and sound thrilled if the answer's yes and disappointed if the answer's no.) 12. How long have you been with this company?

13. What's the best thing about working here?

14. Tell me about the prospects for promotion/career prospects?