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7 Secrets To A Successful Job Interview
Job Interview Tips
 Did you know that a job
interview could be over in the first 3 to 5 minutes? This is because most
interviewers will start making a ‘mental registration' of whom you are the
minute you work through the door.
Job interview preparation is a key element in a person's career. If you
genuinely believe that you have the skills for the positions you are trying
yet you are hopping from one interview to another, then you seriously need a job interview makeover! Read on as we itemize the secrets for a
successful interview.
1. The Art
of Talking – Say MORE with LESS
Are you good at
extemporaneous speeches? You know, that game where you pick out a topic out
of a bowl and talk about it and try to convey all the relevant information you know in less than two minutes. If you have never done this
before, now is the time to try.
Interviewers do NOT
have all day. You need to make an impression in that limited amount of time
you are sitting in front of the interviewer(s). And we are not just talking
about empty words. Clear and concise is the name of the game. Learn how to
put your best foot forward without using too many flowery words or by
starting from that medal you got during first grade.
MAKE A LIST of
highlights in your personal and professional lives and then try to convey
those in two minutes or less. Practice in front of the mirror or with a
friend.
2. Familiarize Yourself with the Company
Walking in an
interview without the slightest clue about the company you want to work for
spells for disaster. Employers like to know that you are indeed keen in
joining their firm. As such, PREPARE. The easiest way to do this is to visit
the company's website. If you got hold of the lead for the firm through a
friend or a headhunter, ask them for more information about the firm.
In general, you should
at least know the firm's main line of business, location(s), size, and
corporate culture.
3. Preparing for the Position
In today's tough
world, it is not enough to know about the company, you should also think
ahead and prepare for the position itself. List down the experiences and
personal traits that would make you best suited for the position. This will
surely be one of the questions of the interviewer so it is best not to
fumble with your reply. Instead, convey an air of confidence that you can do
the job.
4. Dress
Appropriately
When it comes to job
interviews, first impressions DO last. Make sure you are dressed in casual
or formal office attire. Limit your jewelry and tone down the perfume or
after-shave; you do not want to choke the interviewer with your strong scent
do you?
Make sure you comb
your hair just before you go into the interview!
5. Bring in
the Right Attitude
The best clothing in
the world cannot cover a weak spirit. Bring in the right attitude into an
interview.
- Come in
with a smile and shake hands with the interviewer firmly.
- Answer
questions in a clear and firm voice.
- Be alert
to your surroundings and appear interested at all times.
6. Do NOT
be Late
Under no circumstances
should you be late for an interview. It is a sure way to convey that you are
NOT the one for the job. Further, arriving early means you have time to
freshen up a bit and not look like you ran through traffic.
7. ASK!
Do not be afraid to
ask questions. Asking about the company and the position at hand conveys
keen interest. Tell the interviewer that you do not want to waste his / her/
their time so you would like to ask some questions (e.g., who will be your
boss, what the firm's expectations of you are for the first 6 months, salary
expectations, etc.)
Bonus: Answering Right
ALWAYS talk in a
positive light. It will do you no good if you take this opportunity to
mention how ‘backward' your current boss is or how your current employer is
‘unfair' when it comes to promotions.
See Also:
How to Prepare Your Appearance for a Job Interview
How To Write A Resume That Gets Attention
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