Job Interview Tips

The first very important thing you required to do for your interview is Preparation. Good preparation always creates a higher level of confidence. Hence, it is vital that you are well prepared. For this you will have to consider two things;

• Prepare yourself practically for the interview.
• Collect information which will be useful during the interview.

Checklist

Consider the following things before you set out for an interview:

• Confirm the time, date and location of the interview and the name of interviewer.
• Get there no earlier than half an hour before the interview time.
• Be ready with a professional dress well in advance.
• Get the required documents like certificates, references etc. ready before the day. Don't forget your interview letter.
• When you have arrived at the venue of the interview, make sure that the receptionist knows you are there.

Be Punctual!

First impression is last impression. You will never get a second chance to make a first impression. So be on time at the particular location of interview. Even if you reach early, you can wait at a nearby cafe or shop. In case you are going to be inevitably late, make sure you call them to inform.

Be Primed!

Only the preparation of your syllabus is not sufficient. In addition to it you can look up the company's website and learn something about the company before you attend your interview and also you may want to research the company in business magazines. If in case you happen to know someone who is working in the company, you can talk to them.

Rehearse!

Gather as many job interview sample question as possible and practice them with your friends or family member. This will make easy to remember what to say when you get to the interview. It is good to have the third person when talking about the job; they can suggest you about your sounding and your expression. Avoid sounding as though you assume the job is already yours.

You can also ask about the package on offer and accommodation such as living in and living out which are particularly relevant. You could also try a fewer more testing questions such as how they differentiate themselves from their competitors or what they think the toughest/hardest part of job is. Let the interviewer bring up the subject of pay first, it will be unwise to broach the matter at the early stage of the interview. If they don't bring up the matter you could consider talking about it toward the end of the interviewer or leave it for another day if it made known you will be called for further interviews.

Your only chance to make a first impression!

As the saying goes, First impression is last impression!, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Make use of the opportunity that is before you now. Keep the following things in mind:

• Greet your interviewer(s) with a smile. A good smile always pleases people.
• Dress speaks volumes; you should dress professionally.
• Do not forget the firm handshake, eye contact and calm expression. Do not show your nervousness in your face.

Communicate effectively!

Communication is a two-way thing, so give your interviewer(s) a chance to speak. Do not interrupt them when he/she is talking. Give' him/her full chance to talk. The common mistake the candidates often make when interviewing is talking too much or too little. The important thing is to listen to the question and answer that question taking not more than 2-3 minutes at the most. It is known that when you limit the time, you tend to stay more focused. On the contrary, an interview is also about asking question, so ask a few question here and there where opportunity presents itself.

Be Enthusiastic!

Enthusiasm is the must during the interview. While it might be tempting to say bad things about the previous employers but you should never do such things. Instead, focus on positive achievements and views.

Check in During Interviews

Your answers should be brief and impressive. Some of your past stories may take time to detail, so you better ask for permission to go on if it takes a bit longer. You may say something like, "Would you like me to explain the details of this project?"

Give Brief Answers

The best interviews are a two way process; you need to ask questions and try to draw out your interviewer instead of talking about yourself nonstop. When it comes to talking during an interview, sometimes less is more. A general rule is you should speak one-third of the time and definitely no more than half of the time. When it is your turn to speak, do not hesitate to talk about yourself and your achievements.

On the Phone

It's becoming more common to screen candidates via telephone interviews first. You just need to be prepared for the phone to ring at any time. Such screening might last for 10-15 minutes, depending on question and how you answer them. If you have thought about or if you have any idea about question likely to be asked during the screening, it can be really helpful to you. Get yourself mentally prepared with answers beforehand.

A Photo and CV to Spare!

Sometimes the interviewer(s) might want to see your resume and photo at the interview. Your interviewer wont be expecting it, so you will get chance to impress them if you have them handy. It also helps them to remember you after the interview. So, always keep a spare photo and resume with you.

Eye Contact matters!

Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of nonverbal communication and can make a significant difference in your presentation. It shows your confidence. Not having eye contact while speaking to someone is viewed as lacking confidence or interest. So always answer the question with eye contact. But do not overdo it, because that would translate as glaring at them.

Be well-groomed!

For better or worse, grooming yourself can make a huge difference. You want to spruce up your appearance for the interview but can not afford new clothes then consider altering an outfit you already have by pairing it with a different shirt, tie, blouse or accessory. Though you are on a tight budget, you can still find real bargains out there in market. Think about what you need before you go out shopping. Outlet stores and resale shops offer great treasures.

Be specific about achievements!

Interviewers often like to know how you felt about a particular success. They may even ask for certain examples of things you have done that you are particularly proud of, such as; how you solved problems; how you learned and improved from difficult situations; how you deal with challenging situations. Prepare yourself to answer them in brief, keeping your attitude positive. Give a positive twist to the course of actions you took.

An Interview is a First Date!

When you are going for a first date, you both try to figure out if there is a match; likewise, think of job interview as your first date. This mindset holds out many advantages. You come off as curious, not desperate, you do not assume that too-formal, phony-appearing job-seeker persona, you talk about what you want to talk about instead of just passively getting bombarded with the employer's questions and you are more likely to ask questions during the interview. Those questions will help you assess if you really want the job. Treat the interview as a first date and you will both be better informed when deciding whether you should hook up for a long-term relationship.

Bring Up a Weakness

Sometimes bringing up your weakness pays you before you asked for one. Do not forget to tie it with a positive aspect in you. For instance, "I really need to work on my communication skills. I am a good worker and totally competent but sometimes I do not take the initiative to communicate effectively”. The idea is to show that you accept your weakness and that you are keen on improving yourself.

Get the Info

Informational interviews are a great way to get information regarding a company. It is important to show to the person you contact that you are seeking information, not a job. When you ask for an appointment, tell the person what you are looking for and why you want to talk to them. At the informational interview, have a prepared list of the questions. At the end, ask if the person has any recommendations of other people within the company or outside, you could speak with.

Thank you notes

A thank you note can go a long way in cementing your relationship with your potential employer. You can send follow-up letters through email if this is the way you have been communicating all along. Otherwise, it is worth the trouble to write a thank you note on paper or a card.

Fine-Tune your attitude!

While a tough job market does make it difficult to remain upbeat, isolating yourself and waiting for the phone to ring is the worst way to handle negative thoughts. Whenever you start feeling down, take steps to turn your thinking around, go for walk, read a book or do something that is fun. You never know doing such things may be just what you need to feel relaxed and at ease. Beside that getting together with friends and having support system will help you to laugh and keep going. Do anything but keep yourself upbeat!

The reason you quit

"Why did you leave your company?" will be the first question the interviewer is most likely to ask. Describe the reason for your departure carefully and do not go into details unless asked. Provide references to support your reasons for leaving and job performance. Stick with the facts of what happened, what you did, how you felt and what you learned. When you are done, conclude by saying how you will handle things differently in the future. Remember not to do the most damaging thing to your hiring chances: blaming others.

References

Keep the information of 3-5 people handy for your reference list. Do get the permission to use your references' names and while you are at it, ask how they prefer to be contacted. You should also send them a copy of your resume so they'll be aware of what you are saying about yourself.

Your Questions

The two important questions to ask early in a job interview: "what are you most hoping to find in the person you hire?” and "what would be my first priorities on the job?” Its better if you ask these question earlier, the sooner you can start tailoring your answers to the employer's priorities. At the end of the interview, ask, "Do you have any concerns about my ability to do the job?” Often, that gives you a chance to counter any objections the interviewer may have. It may also present an opportunity to reinforce your facts.

Your Offer

You should go to the interview prepared for open-ended questions. If they ask you "Tell me about yourself" be ready to list out all your skills and traits that match employer's requirements. The closer your skills and traits are to the job description, the better chance you have of getting the job. You should have the clear picture of what you have to offer to the company while presenting yourself in the interview.

Prove Your Potential

When difficult question is thrown at you, put a positive spin on your answers. For instance, if you lack a particular skill, be sure to emphasize on how quickly you learn and give another example of time when you were able to learn and adapt in a similar situation. Companies are interested in people who are a quick study.

Advertise Yourself

Interviewing is about selling yourself, so you win only if you can advertise yourself effectively. Give them reasons to buy the product-YOU. Tell them how they will benefit from you. Tell them what you can bring to the company, department and position. Convince them that you are a product better than the rest in the market.

The Question of Salary

The best bet is not to mention the subject of money first. Let the employer bring it up. While you may be asked what your expectations are too early in the process, it is better to say you would rather postpone that discussion until you have more information about the position. When you really have to do it, go for a range rather than an exact figure. Say, if your expectation is $8000, it will be safer to say "I expect between 8 to 12 thousand” rather than "I expect nothing less than $8000”.

Ask your way into a better job

You can not tell how good a job is from a wanted ad. The exciting opportunity portrayed in the ad and the actual job often has a gap between each other. You can often get the straight scoop about a job by asking the right questions. For example, “what attributes are most needed to succeed in this job?” is a safe question to start with. After you are offered a job but before accepting it, ask a few more questions or even ask permission to talk with your future co-workers. You should not commit yourself until you are sure you will be happy with the position.

Be all ears

Listening is one of the most underused interview skills. Most candidates often get nervous while answering interview questions correctly that they forget to listen. Here are few tips worth considering:

• Listen through eye contact and body language.
• Listen with nonverbal expressions.
• Do not interrupt. Listen until the speaker is finished.

Ask Question

You can understand the employer's needs better if you ask few questions in the early stage of the interview. This will help you to tailor your answers at a later stage. Try these questions:

• What are you hoping to find in the person you hire?
• What would be my first priorities on the job?

Don't be nervous about being nervous

Do not worry about being nervous in an interview. It is perfectly OK to be nervous, but it is essential for you to accept how you feel. After convincing yourself you should feel differently and that is unrealistic. It might make you feel bad about yourself. What's the worst that can happen at an interview? For many, it would be not getting an offer. Try to look at the process as a learning experience. If nothing, you will learn to overcome your nervousness with every interview that results in failure.

Take rejection in your stride

You may initially feel hurt, angry or fed up if you are rejected. Instead of being stuck in feeling rejected, take back the power by staying proactive. If you really still want to work for that particular company, sit down and write a letter. Remind them of all the positive points you could bring to the company. Let them know you are still interested in working for the company if something should change or open up.

Face the feedback

It is a good thing to ask for feedback from an interviewer. Thought it might be little bit upsetting. Listen carefully and take notes to refer to and react to. Do not argue or defend yourself. Do not forget to thank the interviewer. Learn from each encounter and think about techniques to improve on your next interview.

Follow the interviewer

Observe your interviewer’s style attentively during the interview. Your interviewer is giving you information that can guide you on how to behave during the meeting. Ask good questions and make good comments. This will make both you and your interviewer feel at ease.

Prepare emotionally

Beside other factors, it is equally important to prepare yourself emotionally for the interview. The right mood helps you to perform at you best. The following tips could help you in preparing emotionally:

• Go for a walk, run, exercise, meditate, do yoga, stretch or dance.
• Hum your favorite tune while driving to the interview.
• Repeat aloud in inspirational phrase that can give you courage.
• Take several deep breaths before entering the interview room.

Ask Questions

You will get the chance to ask questions at the end of the interview. Remember the interview is a two way process; you need to be sure you want to join them. Try to concentrate on issues, which are important to you while combining an apparent interest in the company. Write down your question in a piece of paper in case you can’t have it in your head and take it with you to the interview.

Be honest

Honesty always pays. There is no need to lie about your background or about your skills. If you get caught, you are definitely out. Job interviews are about matching needs, if there is not a good match; there is no chance of a job. If your choice is not based on real facts, you will yourself end up being unhappy with the job in the end.

Check your CV for possible gaps

If there are any gaps between your academic years, then the interviewer is certain to ask you the reason for it. Be ready to explain the time gaps on your CV

Presentation

The way you present yourself at the interview can make a difference. Dressing should be appropriate for the post and the company. Try to get information about what the company would expect from employees. What would be appropriate for a mining company could be very different from an advertising agency. So, be well-groomed, clean and confident looking.

Thank-You Salutations

Some problem as to whether you should use a formal salutation or informal salutation may arise while writing an interview thank-you note. If the hiring manager is in a high position of authority, better use a formal salutation, but if the hiring manager suggests using his/her first name, go head. It is always safe to use a formal salutation if in case you are in a doubt.

Get to Work

If you are unemployed, then you full time job right now is to find job. Never blame yourself or others for the situation. Research companies, industries and positions. Take this as good experiencing to succeed in future interviews. It is never going to be a burden if you take your job of finding a job in a positive light.