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Interview Tips

Job Interview Tips: The most important step in getting the job you want is meeting the potential employer for a face to face interview and ideally coming out with the job offer.

Here are a few job interview tips that will help you to have a successful interview;

• Before going to an interview, do some research about the company you are applying to. News publications and the internet will provide just about everything you need. This is the most important preparation to do. The organization wants to know that you are interested enough to find out and remember some important facts about what may be your new employer.

Practice Interviews

• Practice with a friend or family member the most likely questions that the employer will ask so you do not dry up during the real interview. If you're not sure what to expect, you can get a list of interview questions and answers for next to nothing here.

• When you go for your interview, my job interview tip is to try and arrive 10 to 15 minutes ahead of time. This shows employers that you are punctual and serves as a good attribute in a potential employee. It also allows for slight delays on the way and gives you time to calm down when you get there.

• When meeting an employer, you should bring an extra copy of the resume and other documents that are needed if asked certain questions. A good example is architects and photographers who are professionals in the respective fields who have a portfolio of the works done which may impress the interviewer. Don't push these at the interviewer though; words and pictures cannot convey your personality and attitudes.

Dress Appropriately

• Always dress appropriately. You can find out what is appropriate by observing the staff entering and leaving or by looking at company literature on their website – the 'Team Photograph' gives you some good ideas how they dress. This shows the employer sincerity on the part of the applicant applying for the job. One must have finger-nails and hair well groomed for the interview. The outfit worn should be professional. This would mean that shoes must be used to match the outfit. If you typically wear a lot of jewelry, it is advisable to remove and tone it down for the interview. Get more job interview tips and interview dress tips here

• When you are in front of the employer, smile and greet the interviewer with a firm (but not bone crushing) handshake which is always a good start to get the interview moving. Try to make good eye-contact throughout the interview.

• During the course of the interview, listen very well to the questions asked. Each must be answered truthfully and confidently to be able to sell yourself to the potential employer. My job interview tip is to think about each question carefully because it tells you what is important to the interviewer.

• Afterwards, the applicant should thank the recruiter for the time that was given to meet for the interview.

If you follow each job interview tip you will be sure of a successful interview.

Why candidates failed their interview.

What interview tips can you pick up from these client comments?

◘ "He just talked non-stop and wouldn't shut up or listen."

◘ "She complained to the personnel manager about her current boss."

◘ "He just sat there with no enthusiasm and seemed completely unprepared."

◘ "She kept begging for the job and telling us how miserable she was to be out of work."

◘ "He didn't show much confidence, interrupted me several times, and consequently made me, the interviewer feel quite uncomfortable."

◘ "He posed a threat to his prospective boss's position."

◘ "I rejected the candidate because he tried to read correspondence I had on my desk, and he never looked me straight in the eye."

Interview Tips - do's and don'ts:

• Don't tell your whole life story - they really want to know what you can do.

• Keep to simple language and be easy to understand. No shortcuts or jargon.

• Try to make it sound interesting. Let the interviewer enjoy your accomplishments.

• Credit the interviewer with having read your CV. (Even if he hasn't)

• Be specific; cite facts. Don't fall into the "I've got a lot to offer" trap. Say exactly what you've got to offer.

• Quantify your results - numerically, if possible.

• Gently dramatize the problem so your results can be important.

• Use I, not we. Claiming an accomplishment ain't bragging if you did it. And it's you they might hire!

• Use concrete examples.

• Tell what you did that is unique. Leave out the methodology unless they ask how you did it

• Be relevant to the interviewer’s questions.

• Always make a point which favours your cause.

• Help the listener conclude. Tell him/her what is relevant about your accomplishment; ‘which means that…’

Yes there's a lot to think about, but these interview tips will stay with you once you've read them through.

Go through to my interview overview page for more details of the types of interview you may come across.

Preparation is everything, so make sure you practise your interview questions and answers - jump from interview tips to the page where we cover what you need to think about.

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