Four Great Job Interview Tips
These days there are more people looking for jobs than there are jobs to fill. That’s why it’s more important than ever to go into every job interview fully prepared and confidant. Your resume only opens the door; it’s you who must embody the kind of employee that the company is looking for. Here are a few ways you can make it happen:
1. Remind yourself who you are. That might sound strange, but how long as it been since you thought long and hard about your interests and hobbies? While you are technically looking for work, not play, what you do in your free time can say a lot about the kind of person you are. Be ready to share what your personal interests are. What’s more, make sure that you make a connection to the job you are seeking. For example, if you love dancing, point out that you enjoy the freedom of expression and exerting yourself physically.
2. Get to know everything you can about the company, as well as the position it is looking to fill. The last thing you want to show is a lack of interest or laziness, right? So go into the interview armed with background about the company and even some of their competitors. They want to people who love their jobs, after all, and what better way to show that you are aware of the industry?
3. Be ready to answer some ambiguous questions. Interviewers have a way of determining your abilities based on how you answer some questions that might seem as if they have nothing to do with the job. Remember to keep the focus on their needs, not necessarily yours when answering questions such as, “Why should we hire you?” Clearly you’d like the paycheck, but that’s not at all what they are looking for.
4. First impressions are everything. Show that you understand the difference between business and pleasure when choosing your attire. Even if you think the current employees dress more casually, you haven’t earned the right to that just yet. Keep jewelry to a minimum and never chew gum or fidget. Your body language will also go a long well in selling your confidence level, so sit up straight and look them straight in the eye when speaking.
When it appears that the interview is winding down, be sure to ask a few questions of the interviewer. Not about salary or benefits, however, that is all to be brought up at a later date when the interviewer sees fit. Ask about the corporate culture or the turnover rate of their employees. If you express an interest in them and ask questions based on your research of the company, you’ll come across as a prepared and qualified candidate.
Martina Pratt is a job coach in a major midwestern city. She frequently advises her clients on online college and online degree programs to help advance their careers.
Related posts:
