Interviewing for a job can be an incredibly stressful experience, especially when the job on the line is one you really want. There are so many things to take into consideration even before you go into an interview. But there are also a number of methods that can help you manage your stress and make a great impression. Here are just a few of the things you should be keeping in mind.
1. Actually Getting The Interview
The first hurdle in the interview process is actually landing it in the first place. There are a number of ways to accomplish this, but the most sure-fire way is to get your resume into the right hands. Use any connections you might have, try to only deal with proven recruiters like Smart Worker when applying online, and make sure you follow up on your application. If you don’t get an interview, find out why and use that information to your advantage next time.
2. Do Your Research
The biggest contributing factor to any interview not going well is not being prepared on the day. The moment you book an interview, you should be doing your homework – find out as much about the company in question as you can and research the roles of the job you’re applying for. That way if your interviewers fire any surprise questions at you, you won’t be caught off guard.
3. First Impressions Count For A Lot
Take pride in your appearance when interviewing for a job. A well-groomed, well-dressed and punctual interviewee is impressive, but consider your body language as well. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and get that handshake right. It sounds silly, but if you aren’t confident, practise walking into a room a few times at home before you go. Don’t be afraid to be excited and let them know you’re happy to be there.
4. Have An Answer For Any Hardball Questions
Interviewers love asking occasional tough questions to see if they can trip an unwary interviewee up. Part of your research in point 2 should be to plan for the most common hardball questions: What would you say is your greatest weakness? Ever had a personal problem with a colleague and how did you solve it? Even the dreaded “tell me about yourself”, vaguest of all hard balls, can be prepared for.
5. For Once In Your Life, Don’t Be Humble
Interviews are the perfect forum for flagrant self-promotion. An interview should be seen as an opportunity to put all of your best qualities on parade. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have much prior experience in the position you’re applying for – in business, the rule goes that potential often trumps experience.
These are just five things to bear in mind when interviewing for a job – there are so many more, but these basics are a great start. What are your top tips for interviews? Share your best pieces of advice (or even some of your educational horror stories) with other jobseekers in the comments down below.
