Top 10 Job Interview Tips

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Top 10 Job Interview Tips

Top 10 Job Interview Tips
- Posted On 2024-08-26
There are so many things that you will need to get right to succeed in a job interview. You will need to stay up-to-date with the latest employment news, research the various job opportunities that are available to you, practice the interview questions, and be persistent.

So you wrote the perfect resume and a great cover letter to go with it. You have now been called to the most important job interview of your life. Nervous? Well, that’s natural. But as long as you are thoroughly prepared, know what to expect and are in a positive frame of mind, you have nothing to fear. Whether it’s your first interview or the hundredth one, follow the top 10 job interview tips given here, and you will soon be able to land the job of your dreams.

How to Ace Your Job Interview?

Do Your Research

It is very important to do your research on the employer, the background of the company, and the details of the position that you are applying for. The more thorough your research, the better prepared you will be at the interview and know what sort of questions to expect. So study the company’s website and pay attention to the professional reviews of the company. Find out what’s special about the company or organization that you are applying for and what makes them tick. The more prepared you are, the better you are likely to perform in the job interview.

Study common interview questions and prepare your responses to them

There are a few common questions that are asked in every interview. You should learn those questions well and prepare a proper response to each and every one of them. Your answers should be crisp, sharp and to the point, while focusing on specific examples and achievements. You don’t need to memorize your responses, instead you should have a thorough understanding of what sort of answers are expected and how to deliver them in a way that merits attention.

The day before the interview

On the day before the interview, be sure to have gotten extra copies of the resume and mark sheets prepared. Prepare a portfolio of your previous work experiences. Don’t neglect to get a new pen and a pad of paper to take notes during the interview.

Demonstrate Confidence

Make firm eye contact and offer a firm handshake to the interviewer. Smile at them and listen to what they have to say very intently. Make a very good first impression. Be cool, calm, composed, and confident during the interview; always be sure of yourself.

Dress for the Position

You should dress sharply and appropriately befitting the culture of the organization that you are applying for. There is such a thing as being overdressed, and worse, being underdressed. This should be avoided. Don’t wear more jewelry than you should, and if you have any tattoos, hide them! Don’t smoke on the day of the interview and avoid eating just before the big moment.

You may dress appropriately depending on the position that you are applying for. It is okay to wear jeans when you are applying for a position as a fashion designer, not so when you’re looking for a job as a financial consultant, in which case you should wear sharp suits. The company culture should be taken into account here. For example, you don’t have to dress too formally when applying for a job at Google but have to maintain a proper dress code when going for an interview at IBM.

Be punctual

Punctuality is very important and make sure you are on time for the interview. There is absolutely no excuse for arriving late. Show up at least 20 minutes before the scheduled interview in order to complete the paperwork and to give your enough time to relax. Study the workplace and observe the employees go about their tasks to give yourself an idea of what to expect at the interview.

Be polite and well mannered

It is important to create a good first impression during the interview, and not just with the interviewers themselves. You should be polite with everyone you meet, from the receptionist to the hiring manager and even with the parking attendant or security guard. Believe it or not, in some organizations, such things are noticed. Your conduct will be observed, so make sure to put your best foot forward.

Mind your body language

Your body language makes a lot of difference to your prospects. Maintain direct eye contact with the interviewer, smile politely, but be serious. You should maintain a solid posture and not slouch or fidget in the chair, mumble, brush back hair, play with your pen or look like you are completely ill at ease and can’t wait for the interview to get over.

Work Hard on Your Nonverbal Communications

This is another way of saying that you must mind your body language. Poor body language can be a real distraction to your interviewer; it may give them an excuse not to hire you. An effective form of body language involves smiling at the interviewer, making eye contact, maintaining a rigid posture, listening calmly, and nodding when you should. This also means avoiding bad habits such as looking away into the distance, slouching, brushing your hair back, fidgeting in the chair, mumbling, and so on.

Listen Actively; Don’t Talk Too Much

The problem with many candidates is that they talk too much without actually listening to the interviewer. Listen to the interviewer very carefully. Active listening is the most important communication skill you can have. Listen, think, and then answer. Don’t just say the first thing that comes into your mind. Observe your interviewer very closely and match their style and pace. And never mumble during the interview—this can create a very bad impression.

Don't Act Too Familiar

The interviewer is not your friend. He is a professional who is evaluating your suitability for a position in his company or firm. While you should be enthusiastic in the interview and bring a lot of energy into you, you should be aware of what your boundaries are. Don’t act too familiar with the interviewer or take him for granted.

Use professional language

It is very important that you use only the most professional language during the interview. Don’t make any references to age, religion, politics, race, or sexual orientation. Don’t use any slang words, and definitely avoid any foul language. One wrong word, and you will be shown the door pretty quickly.

Don't Be Arrogant

It is important to be confident during the interview, but there is a fine balance between confidence and arrogance. Overconfidence is something every interviewer hates to see in a candidate. Nobody wants to hire a cocky, arrogant know-it-all.

Think Before Answering the Questions

Take your time to think before answering the questions, even those that appear simple. If you find a question a bit difficult, don’t just say anything that’s on the top of your mind; ask the interviewer’s permission to take a few seconds to collect your thoughts. If you really have no idea about the answer, it’s better to say that you don’t have an answer rather than blurt out something that makes no sense.

Be enthusiastic, positive and confident

Once the interview begins, you should make it a point to be relentlessly positive and never to badmouth a previous employer. Focus on the skills you have and don’t apologize for the skills or work experiences you lack. Just say that you are a quick learner and would appreciate an opportunity to know more about your chosen industry and profession. If you are not able to answer a question immediately, ask for the interviewer’s permission to consider it for a minute, compose your thoughts and answer confidently – don’t just mumble the first thing that comes to mind.

Don't come across as desperate

One of the worst mistakes you can make in an interview is to appear too desperate. Remember, an interview is a business deal between yourself and the employer. Charity has no place in an interview. Nothing puts off an interviewer more than a "please, sir, please hire me” approach. Instead, be cool, calm, and poised to land the job of your dreams.

Hope you find the tips given here on acing a job interview useful. The important thing in any job interview is to respond to the questions in a way to show that you are the best fit for the position that you are applying for and the organization that you want to join. The job interview is like a sales call and you are the salesperson. The product you are selling is yourself, so show what you bring to the table in term of skills, talent, qualification and valuable work experience.