Excelling in college is only half your work done. Landing the perfect cruise ship jobs or hospitality jobs depend heavily on work experience. But what if you’re only just starting out, and have no recommendations to offer? Making a good impression at your job interview helps a great deal. So how do you prepare?
The first thing to do is learn about the company you are applying to and what your prospective job will involve. Knowing a little bit about the company, including any major recent news about it such as takeovers or mergers, will show the interviewer that you are not just interested in a job that pays you, but in the business as well.
If you are applying to a hotel nearby, it might be beneficial to pop by for an incognito visit to get a feel of the standards they expect and the way they treat their customers. While you should avoid criticising the company during the interview should you spot something amiss, you can diplomatically suggest a few ideas to do things differently – something that will show the interviewer what you can bring to the table.
It is important to prepare yourself before the interview, which means keeping all your documents, certificates and recommendations filed and ready the night before. Note down any questions you would like to ask the interviewer, and think of possible questions that you might be required to answer.
Your CV is one of the most important pieces of paper you will carry with you to the interview. Most hospitality companies and cruise lines receive hundreds of job applications every day. You need to make sure you stand out from the rest. Keep your CV short, simple and easy to read with legible font and clear headings for experience, internships, volunteering, education and anything else you would like to highlight. It is ideal to have a CV that is no longer than two pages and lists your latest job or qualification first. Being honest by not fudging details and stressing your strengths will work in your favour. Contact information – such as email, working phone numbers and postal address – is imperative to make it easy for the company to get back in touch with you after the interview.
It’s best to also keep your clothes ironed and ready. Always choose to dress smartly, in clean clothes and shoes. Try to avoid loud colours and too much jewellery or make-up. Wearing long sleeves and trousers also help conceal any tattoos, statements that are best avoided for the first impression with a stranger. Hair should be neatly combed and set in place, and for men, any facial hair trimmed appropriately. Deodorise, and avoid smoking or drinking coffee right before your interview.
Ensure you know how to get to the interview venue and how long it will take you to get there so you are well ahead of time, even if you do get lost or are delayed in traffic. Get a good night’s sleep so you are fresh and alert during the interview.
Above all, be confident!