Going to a job interview is one of the most nerve-wrecking things we can face in life as we put pressure on ourselves throughout our lives to succeed. So when we find ourselves in a boardroom in front of hiring managers, why do we find it such a daunting process? The 10 tips here are easy to follow and can dramatically increase your chances of success and kickstart your career in the world of business.
No. 1 - Be on time
You can ruin your chances of getting a job before you even step into the interview room. One of the worst things you can do is to turn up late so plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. This will give you enough time to find the location, freshen up in the bathroom, and not look hot and bothered from rushing. It also gives you a chance to absorb your surroundings, and potentially strike up a conversation with people.
Early is on time, on time is late, late is unforgivable.
No. 2 - Don't show up empty handed
Part of being prepared for an interview is bringing anything along that you may need to make a great impression. It also helps you capture any key information you may need after the interview. Some main things to bring are:
- Notebook - taking brief notes shows you're actively listening and engaged. You can also jot down any questions you may want to ask before you get to the interview.
- A few copies of your resume - It's good to have a couple of copies on hand in case it comes up in conversation and you need something to refer to.
- Photo ID - You may need to provide identification.
- Portfolio/Work examples - Depending on the role you're applying for, you may need to provide examples of your previous work so make sure to bring any if it's needed
No. 3 - Arrive with questions
Interviews are often concluded with giving you a chance to ask them questions. Whilst it can be easy to not want to ask any and run for the nearest exit, this is your perfect opportunity to take advantage of the situation and find out more about the role, company, people, and more. This also gives the impression that you're genuinely invested and interested in them and what they do. Some recommendations are:
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 90 days?
- Are there opportunities for additional training and skills?
Remember, they're asking YOU questions to figure out if you're the best candidate for the job, but you're trying to figure if the job is right for you as well.
No. 4 - Do your research
Learning as much as possible about the company's products, services, customers, and competition will give you an edge in what to expect whilst at the same time showing that you've come prepared and are interested in them as a company. Try to go further than just reading their website - reach further and try to find out about the company through other online channels such as latest earnings, or news.
No. 5 - Prepare for behavioural interview questions
Most companies now use a combination of traditional questions and behavioural questions to assess whether you're best suited for the job. A typical example of such a question would be:
- Tell me about how you worked effectively under pressure?
- Give an example of how you've worked on a team
- What do you do if you disagree with someone at work?
These may sound daunting at first so PREPARE ahead of time and make sure you have some clear examples to answer such a question. Feel free to include these in your notebook that you've taken along with you! Referring to your notes is fine - once again, it shows you've come prepared.
A good tip is to prepare 5 - 7 adaptable stories from your previous work experience and orientate them to fit the question being asked - don't just make them up! With true-life stories, it will be easier for you to provide a truthful, and genuine story.
No. 6 - Practice Interviews
Practice your job interview with a friend or family member ahead of time. This preparation helps build self-confidence and that shows during the real thing. Get your 'practice interviewer' to google some typical questions that could be asked to add variety and to keep you on your toes.
It's much better to gain experience answering questions in a low-stakes environment so you can go into the real thing with a lot more confidence and a lot more polish.
No. 7 - Be friendly & engaging
The first impression you make on your potential new employer is crucial to success in interviews.
Think about your behaviour ALL the time when you're on site. You should have turned up 10 - 15 minutes early so there's a good chance that you'll need to wait a little but before your interview. It is really tempting to shy away and try to 'act casual' by flipping out your phone whilst you wait, but this is NOT a good idea.
People who aren't doing the hiring still do observe the candidates, and those that ARE doing the hiring often ask their colleagues for their thoughts on you. Don't let that thought be "Yeah, he didn't say much, he just sat there an played on his phone while he waited".
Instead, if you find yourself with a few minutes before your interview, spend some time talking to the person on the front desk or anyone that happens to be around with you. If they are busy, then always stay polite, smile, and wait... WITH NO PHONE!
No. 8 - Dress for the Part
Great, so you're not playing on your phone so let's make sure that you're properly dressed for the occasion.
Different companies and different jobs require different types of interview dress. Make sure to find out what the dress code is - don't guess! It's perfectly acceptable and ENCOURAGED to ask - again, it shows that you care, and that you want to get it right for them.
No. 9 - Send A Thankyou Note within 24 hours
This is an integral part of the full interview process that it's now seen as standard interview etiquette.
Email a thank you note less than 24 hours after the interview while it is still fresh in your mind. Thank them for offering up their time to see you, mention your fit within their business, and why they should hire you.
Every interviewer expects a follow up note from each candidate so no note tends to be a sign that you're not really that interested in the position and that you're being professional about the role.
No. 10 - Have a balanced view on the job
See it for what it is, - they have a position to fill, you have a back pocket to fill. It really boils down to a conversation. A conversation between someone trying to find out whether you will fit their business, and you finding out whether the job is for you.
You may leave the interview with confirmation that the job isn't what you first thought it to be. It's best to realise that early rather than trying to force it to work - you don't want to have to go through this when you're hired.
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