Interviews are a great way to establish a connection with the employer and really leave a good impression before the hiring decision is made, but it is in fact the most nerve-wrecking part of getting a job. The employers evaluate your every answer in addition to the way you carry yourself, so you can’t help but feel like you are being judged for your every movement. And while some have no problem with handling themselves during interviews, others struggle with saying the right thing and acting naturally under pressure. So if you are one of those people who could use a few tips, take a look below!
Knowing that you have answers to the most common interview questions already prepared will not only decrease your chances of blanking out on an answer but also make you feel more comfortable going to the interview from the start. You will feel prepared and therefore exude more confidence! So make sure you know what to say to questions such as:
“Tell me a little about yourself.”
“What are your weaknesses?”
“What are your strengths?”
“What do you know about this company?”
“Why do you want to work for us?”
At first encounters, appearance is everything. After all, that’s the first thing people see and that’s what they use to form their first impression. And by appearance, I don’t mean your facial features and body type, I mean how put together you look, whether your clothing is appropriate and whether you have good personal hygiene. The way you dress and the way you present yourself is a reflection of who you are!
Once you step into the building you should be in your ‘interview mode,’ meaning that you should turn off your phone and behave like someone should in a workplace. I know how tempting it might be to pull out your phone and check social media while waiting to be called in, but try to resist the urge. And most of all, please avoid any profanity while chatting in the lobby or the waiting room!
Sometimes employers might try to catch you off guard by asking oddball questions. For example, they might ask, “What is your favorite superhero?” or “How many tennis balls can you fit into a car?” And there is no right or wrong answer, they just want to see how you would react and try to answer these types of questions. So keep calm and do you best by taking a wild guess! Any answer is better than no answer.
Plan the trip to your destination in advance and leave your house with plenty of time to give yourself room for error. Things happen, the trains might not be working or there might be traffic, so make sure you account for the worst-case scenario! Arriving late to an interview already puts you in a bad position before the interview even begins. Therefore, make sure to do everything to avoid this mistake.
At the end of the interview, which hopefully goes well, the employer will probably ask you if you have any questions for them. This is when you can showcase your initiative and ask more about the company that might have been unclear to you from your own research, or the tasks that you will be responsible for if you were to receive the position. Come prepared and show them that you are interested in the company!
Having your information written down on a resume is one thing, but being able to discuss what is actually on it is another thing. You have to be prepared to sell yourself and discuss what you have done in the past, and that means being able to elaborate on the responsibilities that were given to you from your previous experiences.
As long as you come prepared and convince the employer that you are a well-rounded worker who will only benefit their company, the job will be yours! Just make sure to send a thank you letter later that day and show them that you appreciate the time that was set aside to interview you.