Interview Tips
The job interview is the first time that you meet with your potential employer face to face for the first time. An interview is important and, as such, you need to prepare for it to perform at your best. These are some tips to help you ace your next interview.
Preparation
The key to having a successful interview is successful preparation. When you prepare you are better able to impress the interviewer and make them feel you are the best person for the job.
Research the Company
If you do some research on the company and understand them you give the interviewer a clear message saying you are really dedicated to working there, and are what they are looking for.
Research Yourself
A lot of the questions asked during an interview are competency based questions that focus on skills and your personal competency. You will be asked some of the following questions:
- Tell me about a time you were in charge of organising something
- Tell me about a time you were able to effectively manage your time
- Are there any examples of you being a productive member of a team?
These questions make it important for you to think about your own background. Do so by thinking about these questions.
- What is your experience in your current industry?
- What are your strengths?
- How can you best apply these strengths to the role?
- What are the skills that you have that this job needs?
When you ask yourself these questions you are better prepared for the competency based questions an interviewer will ask.
Dress Nicely
When you go to an interview you need to look the part. Ask the interviewer in advance how you should dress. At the very least dress smartly.
Always be on Time
An interview is something you can never be late for. To prepare you can do a test run and find out how long it takes you to arrive at the office. This ensures that you know when you should leave and cuts down on the stress of the big day.
Prepare Documents Beforehand
Prepare the necessary documents before the interview itself. You will need, at the least, a copy of your CV, your passport or ID, your references, and possibly a portfolio of your work samples. Having this stuff ready before the interview cuts down on jitters and stress.
How You Should Behave During the Interview
Keep Calm and Collected
You need to be yourself and stay relaxed during an interview. Being calm means you think clearly and can give the best answers. If you start feeling nervous just take a second to have a deep breath and think some thoughts that calm you down.
Keep Smiling
Smiling will relax you and make the interviewer believe you are interested in what they are saying. Which you should be.
Look Them in the Eyes
Looking the interviewer in the eyes is another way to show them how interested you are in what you are saying. It also makes you look more confident.
Show Confidence and Enthusiasm
Showing how confident and enthusiastic you are about the interview and the job in general shows the interviewer you take them, and the opportunity they are providing, seriously. It also shows how much you want the job.
Keep it Simple
You should never drone on when you answer a question. If you don’t fully understand a question there’s no shame in asking the interviewer to expand on the question and be more specific themselves.
Have And Ask Your Own Questions
At the end of an interview the interviewer will ask if you have any questions for them. You should ask them at least one. It’s one last chance to make a good impression. Here are some questions you can ask:
- Does the department have a business plan for the next five years?
- What are some of the challenges the company might face, and how are they to be overcome?
- What are some of the challenges you expect someone in this role will face?