Interview Tips-Job Interview Preparation: The job interview is probably the most important step you will take in your job search journey - it’s your best chance to show the company and hiring manager that you’re the best person for their job. Interview preparation is the key to success and a well-polished presentation can give you an edge over others whose credentials might just be better than yours. Read our top job interview tips below on how to prepare for your next interview:
Mental fear of the unknown is often what produces the physical symptoms of nervousness. In addition to preparing yourself physically, you need to prepare yourself mentally. The best way to prepare mentally is to know what may be coming. Fear of the unknown can only exist when there is an unknown. Take the time to understand some of the standards when it comes to interview questions.
1. Read and review the job description: (Interview Tips)
You’ve received a call for that dream job, so how do you prepare for the interview? The first step in the preparation process should be to go back and review the job description. Most job descriptions follow a similar pattern and are usually categorized by the following points.
- Job title/Department
- Duties and tasks
- Skills required
The job title and department will give you an understanding of the major purpose of the position and where the role fits into the organization, allowing you to discover who your potential line manager could be.
Read and review the job description very thoroughly and be sure to align your competencies with the skills required for the job. You will consequently ready yourself for questions around your previous experiences, performing similar duties in other organizations.
2. Research the company: (Interview Tips)
Success in a job interview starts with a solid foundation of knowledge on the job seeker's part. The more research you conduct, the more you’ll understand the employer, and the better you’ll be able to answer interview questions. Scour the organization’s website and other published materials, search engines, research tools, and ask questions about the company in your network of contacts.Organizations looking to hire people with similar values to those of the company culture. Researching the company before an interview will give you an insight into the organization’s future goals and plans and be able to discuss these points will make you seem like a long-term investment to your future employer. The following interview preparation tips will give you a guide as to which aspect of the company should be researched:
- Company financials: Check the company website. Doing a Google search can also uncover the current state of the company. Have they gone through a merger? - or have they expanded recently? LinkedIn is also a good source of information.
- Culture: Look at LinkedIn and Facebook or check Google reviews for comments by current or former employees.
- Executive team: Look through the company website to research the company hierarchy and find out who the executives are.
- Competitors: Find out who the company’s main competitors are and look into the websites of organizations in the same industry.
3. Research the industry: (Interview Tips)
An interviewer may ask how you perceive his company's position in its industry, who the firm's competitors are, what its competitive advantages are, and how it should best go forward. For this reason, avoid trying to thoroughly research a dozen different industries. Focus your job search on just a few industries instead.
4. Dress appropriately to match the company culture: (Interview Tips)
Wearing the right clothes to the interview won’t get you the job, but wearing the wrong clothes will sink any chances of impressing the interviewer. There is one rule that stands above all: Dress professionally. Wear business attire appropriate for the role, while still making sure you feel comfortable.
When it comes to your job interview, first impressions count and being able to dress to impress will go a long way to help secure your dream job. Although it might seem quite natural to put on your best suit, skirt or dress for the interview as though you already work there, there are more elements to take into consideration. You want to look ready to step into the role you’re seeking.
Our tips on how to dress for an interview will help you make a good impression and give you confidence when answering questions.
What women should wear to a job interview: (Interview Tips)
- Clothing: Make sure you wear a professional and clean cloth.
- Colours: If you’re going for an interview with a very corporate company, more muted tones would be better suited to the formal environment. Black and dark blue are the ideal business colors, gray or brown are also good options. But don’t combine more than three colors and two patterns.
- Shoes: Open shoes like flip-flops or sandals are a no-go for a job interview. Footwear should be either closed toe pumps with a subtle heel or closed toe black high heels.
- Jewellery: Stay away from too much jewelry such as large necklaces and bangles, as too much clanging can cause an unnecessary distraction. Be sure to only wear subtle earrings. Your watch should be slim and just wear a wedding band or no rings at all.
- Makeup: Don’t overdo the makeup, keep it conservative and natural looking and just a light touch of perfume.
What men should wear to a job interview: (Interview Tips)
- Clothing: Put on a clean crisp suit. Wear a clean, freshly ironed, long sleeve white shirt and clean jacket. Be sure to have freshly pressed pants.
- Tie: Accessorise with a modest tie. Add a traditional business tie hung to the beltline. Make sure your belt is matched to the color of your shoes and the buckle is not too prominent.
- Colours: Wear a business shirt of a solid color, preferably white. Complete the outfit with a dark blue, black or charcoal two or three-piece suit. Make sure your tie is subtle in color and design.
- Shoes: Wear shoes that have been polished and make sure they are clean. Try to match the color of your socks to your suit.
- Accessories: Wear a conservative belt and tie. Watches should be conservative with a link or leather band. Minimise your hand luggage - limit to just a leather purse or briefcase if possible. When it comes to perfume and aftershave, less is best. The last thing you want is to be remembered for your cologne and not your answers.
- 5. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes early
- Make sure you arrive on time, or better yet, at least 15 minutes early. Go to bed early the night before and wake up early to give yourself plenty of time. Punctuality is a subtle clue about attitude and behavior. Tardiness, no matter the excuse, is a major blunder. Arriving a bit early is also a chance to observe the dynamics of the workplace.
6. Be prepared. (Interview Tips)
Remember to bring important items to the interview:
- Notebook and pens
- Extra copies of your resume and a list of references
- Copies of the letter(s) of recommendation, licenses, transcripts, etc.
- Portfolio of work samples
Finally, as you get to the offices, shut off your cell phone. And if you were chewing gum, get rid of it.
7. Anticipate the interviewer's concerns and reservations. (Interview Tips)
There are always more candidates for positions than there are openings. So interviewers look for ways to screen people out. Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself why they might not want to hire you (“I don't have this,” “I'm not that,” etc.). Then prepare your defense: “I know you may be thinking that I might not be the best fit for this position because [their reservation]. But you should know that [reason the interviewer shouldn't be overly concerned]."
8. Make Good First Impressions: (Interview Tips)
A cardinal rule of interviewing is to be polite and offer warm greetings to everyone you meet — from the parking attendant to the receptionist to the hiring manager. Employers often are curious how job applicants treat staff members — and your job offer could easily be derailed if you’re rude or arrogant to any of the staff. When it’s time for the interview, keep in mind that first impressions — the impression interviewers get in the first few seconds of meeting you — can make or break an interview. Make a strong first impression by dressing well, arriving early, and when greeting your interviewer, stand, smile, make eye contact, and offer a firm – but not bone-crushing – handshake. Remember that having a positive attitude and expressing enthusiasm for the job and employer are vital in the initial stages of the interview; studies show that hiring managers make critical decisions about job applicants in the first 20 minutes of the interview.
9. Prepare for common interview questions: (Interview Tips)
You will encounter different types of questions in an interview, so it’s important to review your experiences and skills. Know yourself!
- Job Experience
- Volunteer experience
- Clubs and Affiliations
- Organized Sports
- Hobbies
- Special skills / Musical instruments
- Favorite subject in school
- School projects
- Strengths and Development Areas
- Willingness to work and flexibility
- Leadership skills
- Ability and willingness to learn new things
- Contributions to the organizations in which you have worked or volunteered
- Creativity in solving problems and working with people
10. Come prepared for key questions: (Interview Tips)
Practice your responses to all the typical questions, such as "tell me about yourself" and "why are you looking for a new position?" How well you speak will have a bigger impact than what you say.
11. Make the most of the "Tell me about yourself" question: (Interview Tips)
This question, usually the opener, tops the list of common interview questions. It's incredibly important, as you can provide the interviewer with a great first impression. Preparation is key, but your answer mustn't sound rehearsed. Focus on your skills, characteristics and successes, and how they make you a strong candidate in terms of the job description.
Keep your answer to below five minutes. Generally, you should begin with an overview of your highest qualification and greatest achievements, before running through your work experience and giving examples of the skills that you've developed. If you've little work history, focus on the areas of academia that you've most enjoyed and how this relates to the job.
12. Clarify your "selling points" and the reasons you want the job: (Interview Tips)
Prepare to go into every interview with three to five key selling points in mind, such as what makes you the best candidate for the position. Have an example of each selling point prepared ("I have good communication skills. For example, I persuaded an entire group to ..."). And be prepared to tell the interviewer why you want that job – including what interests you about it, what rewards it offers that you find valuable, and what abilities it requires that you possess. If an interviewer doesn't think you're really interested in the job, he or she won't give you an offer – no matter how good you are!
13. Get on the same side as the interviewer: (Interview Tips)
Many interviewers view job interviews as adversarial. Candidates are going to try to pry an offer out of the interviewer, and the interviewer's job is to hold onto it. Your job is to transform this "tug of war" into a relationship in which you're both on the same side. You could say something as simple as, "I'm happy to have the chance to learn more about your company and to let you learn more about me so we can see if this is going to be a good match or not. I always think that the worst thing that can happen is to be hired into a job that's wrong for you – then nobody's happy!"
14. Be assertive and take responsibility for the interview: (Interview Tips)
Perhaps out of the effort to be polite, some usually assertive candidates become overly passive during job interviews. But politeness doesn't equal passivity. An interview is like any other conversation – it’s a dance in which you and a partner move together, both responding to the other. Don't make the mistake of just sitting there waiting for the interviewer to ask you about that Nobel Prize you won. It's your responsibility to make sure he walks away knowing your key selling points.
15. Be ready to handle illegal and inappropriate questions: (Interview Tips)
Interview questions about your race, age, gender, religion, marital status, and sexual orientation are inappropriate and in many areas illegal. Nevertheless, you may get one or more of them. If you do, you have a couple of options. You can simply answer a question ("I'm not sure how that's relevant to my application"), or you can try to answer "the question behind the question": "I don't know whether I'll decide to have children in the near future, but if you're wondering if I'll be leaving my job for an extended period of time, I can say that I'm very committed to my career and frankly can't imagine giving it up."
16. Make your selling points clear: (Interview Tips)
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, did it make a sound? More important, if you communicate your selling points during a job interview and the interviewer doesn't get it, did you score? On this question, the answer is clear: No! So don't bury your selling points in long-winded stories. Instead, tell the interviewer what your selling point is first, then give the example.
17. Know your key strengths: (Interview Tips)
Be prepared to discuss in detail and with examples your five or six main attributes. These should be the ultimate reason you get the job over someone else. Assuming you have done the proper homework on the company, these strengths should also be closely aligned to the key traits the employer is looking for in a person to fill their position.
18. Body Language in Interview: (Interview Tips)
While the content of your interview responses is paramount, poor body language can be a distraction at best — or a reason not to hire you at worst. Effective forms of body language include smiling, eye contact, solid posture, active listening, and nodding. Detrimental forms of body language include slouching, looking off in the distance, playing with a pen, fidgeting in a chair, brushing back your hair, touching your face, chewing gum, or mumbling.
19. Appear friendly and outgoing: (Interview Tips)
Smile and say hello to everyone. A positive reaction from the support staff is an important factor in the evaluation. Many hires have been heavily influenced by an Administrative assistant.
20. Be self-confident: (Interview Tips)
High self-esteem and self-confidence are the hallmarks of the successful individual. With confidence, be able to demonstrate how you have overcome obstacles. There’s nothing wrong with feeling good about yourself.
21. Remain involved: (Interview Tips)
The most effective job interviews are those where an active two-way conversation takes place. Not the typical question and answer type. Begin early in the interview to interject your own relevant insight. Remember, don’t interrupt your interviewer.
22. Establish your worth: (Interview Tips)
Discuss your specific accomplishments that demonstrate a proactive attitude. Such as: have you installed systems, do something not required, trained someone, etc. It’s always important to demonstrate how you either created revenue or saved expenses and be specific with the amounts and how you accomplished that goal.
23. Give 1 to 2-minute responses: (Interview Tips)
Communication is the key to successful interviewing. A minimum of one to two minutes of well-prepared discussion gives the interviewer insight into your intellect and supports your contentions.
24. Provide examples/details: (Interview Tips)
Support statements about yourself with specific examples. These will provide legitimacy to your claims. Without them, the interviewer won’t accept them as valid.
25. Remain attentive: (Interview Tips)
Stay alert during the job interview. Maintain good eye contact. Sit forward in your chair. Be animated. Show high levels of interest and stay enthused. These actions can maintain or generate momentum during the interview.
26. Don’t be arrogant: (Interview Tips)
A presumptuous, overbearing attitude will offset the finest abilities. There’s a fine line between being too confident and cocky. Don’t cross that line.
27. Be positive about co-workers: (Interview Tips)
Don’t bad mouth previous positions, companies or employers. No matter how well founded, this implies a negative attitude, typical of those who don’t take personal responsibility for their actions.
28. Clearly, state your interest: (Interview Tips)
By the conclusion of the interview, state that you are definitely interested in the position and would like to know when the next step will take place. It’s best to demonstrate this interest throughout the session. Be careful not to go overboard.
29. Think positive: (Interview Tips)
No one likes a complainer, so don't dwell on negative experiences during an interview. Even if the interviewer asks you point blank, "What courses have you liked least?" or "What did you like least about that previous job?" don't answer the question. Or more specifically, don't answer it as it's been asked. Instead, say something like, "Well, actually I've found something about all of my classes that I've liked. For example, although I found [class] to be very tough, I liked the fact that [positive point about the class]" or "I liked [a previous job] quite a bit, although now I know that I really want to [new job]."
30. Be ready for "behavior-based" interviews": (Interview Tips)
One of the most common interview styles today is to ask people to describe experiences they have had that demonstrate behaviors that the company thinks are important for a particular position. You might be asked to talk about a time when you made an unpopular decision, displayed a high level of persistence, or made a decision under time pressure and with limited information. Make sure to review your resume before the interview with this kind of format in mind; this can help you to remember examples of behaviors you may not have anticipated in advance.
31. Be Authentic, Upbeat, Focused, Confident, Candid, and Concise: (Interview Tips)
Once the interview starts, the key to success is the quality and delivery of your responses. Your goal should always be authenticity, responding truthfully to interview questions. At the same time, your goal is to get to the next step, so you’ll want to provide focused responses that showcase your skills, experience, and fit — with the job and the employer. Provide solid examples of solutions and accomplishments — but keep your responses short and to the point.
32. Ask Insightful Questions: (Interview Tips)
Studies continually show that employers make a judgment about an applicant’s interest in the job by whether or not the interviewer asks questions. Thus, even if the hiring manager was thorough in his or her discussions about the job opening and what is expected, you must ask a few questions. This shows that you have done your research and that you are curious. The smart job seeker prepares questions to ask days before the interview, adding any additional queries that might arise from the interview.
33. Sell Yourself and then Close the Deal: (Interview Tips)
The most qualified applicant is not always the one who is hired; the winning candidate is often the job seeker who does the best job responding to interview questions and showcasing his or her fit with the job, department, and organization. Some liken the job interview to a sales call. You are the salesperson — and the product you are selling to the employer is your ability to fill the organization’s needs, solve its problems, propel its success.
Finally, as the interview winds down, ask about the next steps in the process and the timetable in which the employer expects to use to make a decision about the position. See our article, Closing the Sale and Overcoming Objections in Job Interview.
34. End the interview with a good impression. A positive end to the interview is another way to ensure your success: (Interview Tips)
- Be courteous and allow the interview to end on time.
- Restate any strengths and experiences that you might not have emphasized earlier.
- Mention a particular accomplishment or activity that fits the job.
- If you want the job, say so!
- Find out if there will be additional interviews.
- Ask when the employer plans to make a decision.
- Indicate a time when you may contact the employer to learn of the decision.
35. Thank Interviewer(s) in Person, by Email, or Postal Mail: (Interview Tips)
Common courtesy and politeness go far in interviewing; thus, the importance of thanking each person who interviews you should come as no surprise. Start the process while at the interview, thanking each person who interviewed you before you leave. Writing thank-you emails and notes shortly after the interview will not get you the job offer, but doing so will certainly give you an edge over any of the other finalists who didn’t bother to send thank-you notes.
Job interview tips: Dos & Don'ts
Job Interview Tips-- Do's:
Preparing for a job interview is essential to making a good impression. Employ these handy job interview techniques to win over your interviewer:
- Make sure your clothes are clean, ironed and presentable.
- Plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
- Greet the interviewer by their first name.
- Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright and always look alerted and interested.
- Be a good listener as well as a good talker. Smile!
- Maintain eye contact.
- The first impression is important! Always give a firm handshake to all interviewers and make eye contact (but don’t stare).
- Be relaxed but make sure not to slouch or fold your arms.
- Make sure that your mobile phone is switched off.
- Show your enthusiasm for this particular job.
- Be positive about your abilities and what you feel you can bring to the company and the role.
- Speak calmly and do not rush your answers.
- Provide practical examples from your past of how you demonstrate/demonstrated skills that are described in the job description.
- Follow the interviewer's leads but try to get them to describe the position and duties early in the interview so you can relate your background and skills to the position.
- Keep your answers relevant to the job.
- Listen carefully.
- Always prepare at least 2 questions for interviewers.
- Make sure you convey your good points actually and sincerely. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself to an interviewer. Make them realize why they need you in their organization.
- Always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job. Never close the door on an opportunity. It is better to be free to choose from a number of jobs rather than only one.
Job Interview Tips-- Don'ts:
- Answer questions with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. Use the CAR technique (Context, Action, Result) wherever possible. Share things about yourself relating to the position.
- Lie. Always answer questions truthfully, frankly and as concisely as possible.
- Never make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers, colleagues or companies.
- 'Over-answer' questions. The interviewer may steer the conversation into politics or economics. It is best to answer the questions honestly, saying no more than is necessary.
- Let not your discouragement show. If you get the impression the interview is not going well and you have already been rejected, don't show discouragement or alarm. Occasionally an interviewer who is genuinely interested in you may seem to discourage you in order to test your reaction.
- Do not be overconfident.
- Do not interrupt.
- Ask about salary, bonuses or holidays at the first interview - unless you are positive the employer is interested in hiring you and raises the issue first. However, know your market value and be prepared to specify your required salary or range.
Conclusion:
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