15/02/2024
How To Master Your Next Job Interview!
Job interviews are typically the most important part of the employee recruitment process. Regardless of your experience and qualifications, doing well in an interview will significantly increase the odds of you being selected for the position. Knowing how to ace an interview is a valuable skill, but it requires some preparation.
In this article, we discuss some tips to help you improve your job interview performance.
WHAT IS A JOB INTERVIEW?
A job interview is a meeting between a job applicant and an employer looking to find the right professional for an open position at their company. Some interviews are conducted with a predetermined list of questions, while others consist of open conversations. The interview is typically the final phase of the recruitment process, as only the candidates with the most suitable resumes are invited to interview. Upgrade your resume to showcase your skills with help from a resume expert.
✓Do proper research beforehand
Once you have been invited for a job interview, the first step toward maximizing your chances of getting the position is researching the company.
You should look up information like when and where the company was established, what their core values are, information regarding the current company culture, what kind of clients they usually work with, who the CEO is, and anything else you consider to be relevant.
✓Research the company culture and dress accordingly
Dressing for a job interview greatly depends on the company. Understanding that particular company's outfit policy will help you decide on the right outfit for the interview.
✓Prepare a list of questions
At some point during the interview, employers will likely ask if you have questions for them. Most of your questions should focus on what your day-to-day activities will be and what growth opportunities you will have during your time with the company. These two topics will show that you want to integrate right away and you are aiming for long-term success.
✓Prepare an introduction
Many interviewers prefer to start by asking candidates to speak about themselves. This is a great chance to make a good first impression, as this usually happens at the start of the interview. Be succinct and to the point, briefly describing yourself from a professional standpoint and only discussing the achievements and characteristics that are relevant for the position.
✓Be on time for an interview
If you are not familiar with the building where the interview will be conducted, consider driving by that building in advance, preferably at a time of day with similar traffic conditions to the ones at the time when the actual interview will take place.
✓Get in the right mindset
Your attitude affects the way you conduct yourself during the interview, so keeping calm and confident increases your chances of getting the position. Before the interview, try and visualize your success but also keep in mind that you may not receive the job. During the interview, remember that the interviewer is someone who took an interest in your professional history and would like to hear more about it.
✓Bring a few copies of your resume, plus a pen and notebook
Although it is usually safe to assume that the hiring manager already has your resume, there are many situations in which a lack of time or an unusually high number of candidates makes the interviewer misplace it. Therefore, you should always have a few copies with you.
✓Start with a handshake (Gents only) and mention the interviewer's name
First impressions are very important because the interviewer is likely to have multiple interviews in one day for a single position, you will need to start working on your image from the first moment you engage with them.
✓Kick off with light conversation
Although at any other time during the interview you will need to project professionalism and knowledge, it is appropriate to use the first minute or so for a quick casual conversation. You may find interesting topics during your company research, such as an interesting blog post or a recent award they won. If something unusual happened locally recently, such as an unusual weather event, you could break the ice by talking about that.
✓Look confident
Looking confident is an essential part of convincing a hiring manager that you are the right person for the job. Make a conscious effort to sit up straight, look the interviewer in the eyes and keep a positive tone of voice. Practicing interview answers beforehand can help you build confidence so you maintain it through the interview.
✓Keep your answers short and to the point
Most interview questions are about yourself, your previous professional experiences, your knowledge of the hiring company and why you think you are the right person for the position. It is generally a good idea to offer the interviewer exactly what they are looking for with every answer and not stray from the point. If you are unsure about how to answer a question, be honest and say you don't know rather than trying to answer anyway.
✓Be prepared to discuss your salary
It is important to have a general idea of the wages you are looking for from the hiring company. Ideally, you should steer the conversation in a way that makes the hiring manager mention what their offer will be, but in many cases, they would rather hear you say what your expectations are. Knowing how much you are worth is crucial, because if your salary requirements are much lower or higher than they were prepared to offer, they may assume you are under qualified or overqualified, respectively.
✓End the interview on a positive note
After the interview is over, it is important to maintain a positive attitude as you prepare to say goodbye to the interviewer. A good way to show you are serious about the job is by asking about what the next steps in the hiring process are. This will show your dedication and can potentially give you a clue regarding your interview performance, based on the potential employer's enthusiasm and their nonverbal cues while they describe the next steps.
✓Write a thank you email
After the interview is over, the final step you can take to maximize your chances of getting the position is writing a thank-you email to the interviewer. A simple note where you thank them for their time and mention a positive thing you noticed about the company is usually enough. This can potentially differentiate you from others, as many applicants overlook this final step.
© Indeed.com; career guide
