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Interview Tips
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Your big interview is coming up! I know, very scary situation. After all, if you don't make a good impression - you won't land that job! There is no fast way of getting over the anxiety of going to a job interview. The truth is, if the idea of going to an interview makes you nervous, when you get there - you will also be nervous. However, if you prepare yourself and arm yourself with great interviewing tools - you will be able to calm yourself a little, instead of going into a frenzy.
Read the areas that you need help with or read the entire page. When you reach the end of this page, you will have a chance to practice.
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Applying for a job you are qualified for will give you all the confidence you need to calm down and decrease your level of nervousness. Don't apply for a job that you know you cannot perform. If this is your dream job, then find out what skills are required, go out there, and train. When you are prepared, set up an interview, because confidence in your ability to perform a job will carry you through the interview process.
If you are already qualified, remember that as you walk into the interview. In that case, you are there because they need a great employee who is qualified and you are that great employee who is qualified! If you are still nervous, hide it. They cannot tell you are nervous unless you show them you are.
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Plan to get there 1/2 hour earlier. You should always try to announce yourself at least 10 minutes before your time. If you plan to arrive earlier you would be allowing yourself enough time, in the event that something occurs.
Make sure you bring a hard copy of your resume. Bring a list of referrals, and always hand them in with your resume, even if not requested. Perform your research on the company. You must know something about the company before you walk into an interview. People who are looking to service a company well, are very well aware of the position they will be performing and what the company is all about.
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Contrary to popular belief, an interview is not to find out what is wrong with you. A Hiring Manager is just a person performing the job of finding the best-qualified candidate she/he can. With this in mind, go to your interview realizing that not only do you need a job; they also need you. Therefore, this is a meeting of two people in search of fulfilling each other's need. Feed their need and you will be fine.
Your first project, before your interview, is to find out what it is they need. Study the company and go to their Web-site. If you know anyone in the company, ask them to sum up the company's mission. If you learned about the position through an ad, memorize that ad because they have advertised exactly what they are looking for! Find out what the ideal candidate is and talk up those qualities during your interview.
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Maybe this topic is unnecessary to discuss, if you already know that you must dress professionally -Great! Skip to another topic. However, for those of you who are always indecisive on whether you should dress very professionally or not! PLEASE read this: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS dress professionally! Even if the dress code for the company is not professional - dress professional. Wear a nice suit, nothing loud, nothing polyester! If you cannot afford to buy a suit, you are safe with a white collard shirt, a black or blue tie, and black slacks. Make sure you have matching shoes! No, I don't mean blue. Black, Black, Black.
Ladies, no flashy wear! Dress conservatively. Wear darker colors or pastels. Do not wear heavy makeup; please keep your jewelry to a minimum. Keep your hair conservative
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Although you practiced your questions, they were strictly for warm up! You do not want to sound like a programmed robot. The purpose for practicing is to reassure yourself that you have all the answers, and to practice thinking and responding quickly. (Just in case, you are the type of person that says the first thing that comes to mind.)
Once you have practiced, you will find that you will instinctively know the answers. Let them flow naturally.
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Engage the interviewer. Remember you are here to meet their need. If you have done your homework, then you are familiar with the company. If you are applying, is because you are qualified to do the job. You got there on time; you have a great resume, and a referral list. You dressed professionally, and you practiced. The only thing you cannot get rid of is your nervousness. That is okay. They cannot see you are nervous unless you show it and since you are prepared - you will not have to show it.
Practice taking in a deep breath through your nose, hold it for a few seconds, and then exhale through your mouth. This should help you calm down a little. Now be different from other qualified candidates by engaging your interviewer. Look him/her in the eye, smile, relax your body, and remember you are ready. They need you as much as you need this job. They want the best and you are the best!
By engaging the reader in your conversation, you are guaranteeing that they will remember how much they enjoyed this conversation. Pretend you are talking to someone you are comfortable with (not too comfortable). You are just responding to questions that you have answers to. What is the worst thing that could happen? Maybe you will not get the job; you will land the next one! However, you will get that job if you are qualified, dressed well, prepared, and engaging. If you show them you are the “one”, you will be doing yourself and them a big favor!
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Remember that a new job is something to look forward to. This is a wonderful step you are taking and you want to make sure your needs are met also. Therefore, ask questions. If the interviewer gives you an opening for questions, take it.
It is best if you have these questions prepared before you get to the interview because you might actually forget them. If a few more come up during the interview then ask those first. It is okay to pull your questions out on a sheet of paper. This will only show the interviewer that you are prepared and you think ahead. If the interviewer does not present the opportunity, wait until the end of the interview and ask for permission to review some questions. Be brief; remember the interviewer might have more appointments lined up. Your questions should be of relevance to fulfilling this new position. What are they looking for? What is the perfect candidate? (Do not bring up money yet, unless the interviewer brings it up.)
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Great! Now Let's Practice
You should practice in front of a mirror. Read all the questions first. Write all the answers you come up with and then analyze them. Ask yourself; is my answer relevant to what this employer might be looking for? Then, practice until you feel comfortable looking directly into your eyes and feel at ease with your answers. Time yourself. You should be able to answer these questions professionally and engagingly within 20 minutes. Good Luck! |
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1) Please tell me a little about yourself.
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Be brief and keep it related to your work life.Give an overview not a life story. Don't talk about your wonderful dog!
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2) Why are you the best candidate for this job?
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Remember the skills and strengths you posses that are related to this position.
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3) Can you tell me about your school/work experience?
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Remember your relevant work experience, be positive. Bring up school experiences that are related to this position.
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4) Can you describe your strengths and weaknesses?
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Again, your strengths are what make you the best candidate. Be proud and positive. With your weaknesses (if you have any) be brief and don't be hard on yourself. Make sure it is something with minimal impact on your new career choice. Once you have described a weakness, explain how you will overcome it.
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5) What would your supervisors and co-workers
say about you?
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Think about anything positive that brought the last company results. Do not criticize your last employer! Big NO, NO!
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6) Where do you see yourself in five years?
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Make sure it is related to your career choice.If it is not, make sure you explain how being offered this position falls into place with your goal. Make sure you are not the only one that would benefit. You must highlight the benefit for the company.
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7) What do you know about our company?
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This is where your research will come in handy. Show that you understand the company. Demonstrate that you understand your duty under this new position and how it fits into the company's mission.
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8) Why should I hire you?
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Don't get defensive, don't panic, this is a legitimate question because they are investing money into your labor. Tell them how hiring you will yield results for them. Remember what kind of candidate they are looking for. Why are they looking for this candidate? What do they want? Then tell them they will get exactly what they are looking for when they hire you!
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9) What is your salary requirement?
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If they advertised a salary - quote it. If they did not, make sure you have researched the average salary for the position. You can search through the Internet. www.salary.com. then give them a range from your last pay to this new average. It is safe to tell them where you got your numbers. Ask them if this is reasonable to them. Because if it is not, they will explain there instead of not calling you back. If they found your demand to high, you will then have a chance to negotiate with them. Do not bring up salary if they do not. Wait until they call you back.
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