You presented a top-notch resume, and you received a call for an interview.
Now you need to know how to do a successful interview. We’ll cover some great tips on how to interview well.
We’ll look at what you should do and what you should avoid to ensure a successful job interview.
Going for an interview can be scary or even an overwhelming task for many of us. But it does not have to be like this.
There are some tips and pointers if followed that can help any candidate tremendously. Give your upcoming job interview the importance it deserves and prepare well.
The better prepared you are the better are the chances of succeeding in that interview.
This article guides with 15 expert tips for a successful job interview. Learn what to do and what to avoid and increase your chances of success. Be well-prepared, confident, and make a great first impression to ace your interview.
Read on.
But first, if it is your fist time interviewing for a job, let’s address the issue of the job interview as a selection method for hiring employees.
Why Job Interviews?
An interview is a common method for selecting the best candidate for a job. For the aspiring candidates, it is their chance to showcase their capability to carry off the job.
The candidates coming for the interview have passed the first selection procedure – Their resumes were chosen. They are “almost” qualified enough for the job or else they won’t be there.
The thing that you should be concentrating upon is what is it in you that the employer will be able to see and choose you above others.
15 Top Tips for a Successful Interview Performance
To enjoy a successful interview there are 10 simple things to do before the interview.
- Review the Resume
You may have your resume memorized but look at it from the interviewer’s point of view and see what might have caught their attention and were your advantage might lie. - Use the Internet to Learn About the Company
The web is a quick and easy way to find out all kinds of information about the hiring company including corporate officers, staffing, company policies, annual reports, and any recent press releases. - Your value and the job requirement: Have clear personal goals and career expectations. Know your true worth. Study the job profile carefully. Evaluate your own skills and qualification against the job’s requirements.
- Learn the company profile: Before appearing for the interview, do a little research on the company. Try and get an idea of what the company stands for or believes in. Find out its achievements, its biggest competitors, and allies. This will give you an upper hand when the questions about the company and what can you bring to it are being asked.
- List your skills: Write down all the skills an qualifications you have that can be applied to the job.
- Practice/rehearse: No matter how many interviews a person may have faced in his/her lifetime, appearing for one almost always create some flutter in the stomach. And when this happens, practice helps. Rehearsing the interview improves your performance, enhances confidence level, and gives you a chance to work on your weak points.
- Rehearse the Interview
Will your interview earn you a Grammy or an award for the worst performance?
Practice really does make us perfect and so rehearse your interview plenty of times to make sure you have a winning performance and a successful interview. - Paperwork: Have all the required papers and documents ready and organized well before. Nothing is more off-putting than seeing a candidate scrabbling for papers in the interview room.
- Dress appropriately: However vain it may sound but is true that people start to judge just by looking at others. Wear nice/clean shoes. Be careful to not to wear a lot of make up. Keep the jewelry to the minimum. Avoid wearing lots of cologne.
- Have a good night sleep: Wake up early enough to be ready well in time. Have a healthy breakfast.
- Arrival: Arrive at least 15 minutes earlier: It will reflect on your seriousness and punctuality.
- Your behavior at the interview: Shake hands firmly. Be polite. Do not sit until invited to do so. When you are invited to sit, sit and stand tall. Maintain eye contact. Do not fidget or play with your hair. Do not adjust your clothes. Do not display any nervous energy. Of course, do share any negative information about yourself. Show your keenness. Smile naturally and remember to use a positive tone.
- Sell yourself: Let the person/panel see the qualities in you that set you apart from others. What is the uniqueness that you can bring to the company that others can’t. Therefore, communicate well. This is the place where all you have learnt about good communication will be tested. Your goal is to influence them enough for them to hire you.
- Ask Questions
Have a list of questions ready. Just don’t make your first question how much you will be paid.
Ask questions that will help you to better understand the company and its mandate. By doing your homework and learning as much as you can about the company, you’ll be ready to ask questions as the opportunity arises. - Make a Good Impression
You have 15 minutes to make the impression that’s going to stay with your interviewer.
That means you should always come dressed in conservative business attire or at the very least for a more casual work environment causal business attire. You get one opportunity to make a first impression and make the most of it. It also means your personal hygiene should be excellent.
Things to avoid for having a successful interview
What you should avoid during your interview is as important as what you should do. Let’s explore the mistakes during the interview that could cost you the job.
What to Avoid in Your Job Interview: The Worst Mistakes Interview Candidates Make
1. Make Showing up Late for an Interview
If you want to get dropped from the short list, show up late.
Even a couple of minutes is unacceptable. Always be early – this shows the interviewer you are conscientious about time.
2. Not Showing Any Real Interest
If you come across as not emotionally vested in the job during the interview process you can forget about getting the job.
The interviewer is looking for someone that shows enthusiasm and motivation and a genuine interest in the company.
3. Dressed Inappropriately
First impressions count. Even for a causal work place it’s a smart idea to wear your business attire.
Never show up wearing your nightclub or casual attire.
4. Making Negative Comments About Your Current Employer
While the comments may be justified what will be going through the interviewers mind is what you will say about them if you should leave their company. It’s a real turn off.
5. Leaving Your Cell Phone on During The Interview
Even if you don’t answer it, a cell phone ringing during an interview will be seen as rude an inappropriate.
Critical Mistakes Interview Candidates Make
While not the worst mistakes, these critical mistakes can also cost you the job.
- Beginning to negotiate salary before the job is ever offered to you.
- Not properly researching the company and not completely understanding what the job is about.
- Acting arrogant.
- Showing your nervousness.
- Stumbling with your answers.
- Not being able to express your strengths and weaknesses in your own words.
- Not asking questions.
- Claiming expertise in a wide variety of fields.
- Talking too much or not talking enough.
“A successful interview is like going to a great movie – you’re disappointed when it’s over.”