10 Best Job Interview Tips for Jobseekers
When you have successfully mastered the dual arts of how
to make
a resume and how make a cover letter, and
you begin receiving requests for interviews, it’s time to understand how to
succeed in the job interview so that you are ever closer to your goal of
obtaining one or more job offers. This article focuses on the ten most
important job interviewing tips for jobseekers.
When you have successfully mastered the dual arts of how to make a resume and
how make a cover
letter, and you begin receiving requests for interviews, it’s time
to understand how to succeed in the job interview so that you are ever closer
to your goal of obtaining one or more job offers. This article focuses on the
ten most important job interviewing
tips for jobseekers.
1. Conduct Research on the Employer, Hiring Manager, and Job
Opportunity
Success
in a job interview starts with a solid foundation of knowledge on the
jobseeker’s part. You should understand the employer, the requirements of the
job, and the background of the person (or people) interviewing you. The more
research you conduct, the more you’ll understand the employer, and the better
you’ll be able to answer interview questions (as well as ask insightful
questions” see #8). Scour the organization’s website and other published
materials, search engines, research tools, and ask questions about
the company in your network of contacts.
2. Review Common Interview Questions and Prepare Your Responses
Another
key to interview success is preparing responses to expected
interview questions. First, ask the hiring manager as to the type of
interview to expect. Will it be one-on-one or in a group? Will it be with one
person, or will you meet several members of the organization? Your goal is to
try to determine what you’ll be asked and to compose detailed yet concise
responses that focus on specific examples and accomplishments.
A good
tool for remembering your responses is to put them into a story form that you
can tell in the interview. No need to memorize responses (in fact, it’s best
not to), but do develop talking points. There are
excellent tools available to help you with interview questions and
responses. Also, consider using the STAR Interviewing Technique.
3. Dress for Success
Plan out
a wardrobe that fits the organization and its culture, striving for the most
professional appearance you can accomplish. Remember that it’s always better to
be overdressed than under” and to wear clothing that
fits and is clean and pressed. Keep accessories and jewelry to a minimum. Try
not to smoke or eat right before the interview” and if
possible, brush your teeth or use mouthwash.
4. Arrive on Time, Relaxed and Prepared for the Interview
There is
no excuse ever for arriving late to an interview. Short of a disaster, strive
to arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled interview to complete
additional paperwork and allow yourself time to get settled. Arriving a bit
early is also a chance to observe the dynamics of the workplace.
The day
before the interview, pack up extra copies of your resume or CV and reference
list. If you have a portfolio or samples of your work, bring those along too.
Finally, remember to pack several pens and a pad of paper to jot notes.
Finally, as you get to the offices, shut off your cell phone. (And if you were
chewing gum, get rid of it.)
5. Make Good First Impressions
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.
6. Be
Authentic, Upbeat, Focused, Confident, Candid, and Concise
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.
By
preparing responses to common interview questions (see #2), you’ll ideally
avoid long, rambling responses that bore interviewers. Always attempt to keep
your interview responses short and to the point. Finally, no matter how much an
interviewer might bait you, never badmouth a previous employer, boss, or
co-worker. The interview is about you” and making your
case that you are the ideal candidate for the job.
7. Remember the Importance of Body Language
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.
8. Ask Insightful Questions
Studies
continually show that employers make a judgment about an applicant’s interest
in the job by whether or not the interviewee 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 jobseeker prepares questions
to ask days before the interview, adding any additional queries that might
arise from the interview.
9. Sell Yourself and then Close the Deal
The most
qualified applicant is not always the one who is hired; the winning candidate
is often the jobseeker 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.
10. Thank
Interviewer(s) in Person, by Email, or Postal Mail
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 or 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.
Final Thoughts on Job Interview Success
Succeeding
in job interviews takes research, practice, and persistence. The more effort
you put into your interview preparation, the more success you’ll see in
obtaining job offers” especially if you remember and follow these ten job interviewing
tips.
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