Interview Tips
- 1. How to Make a Good First Impression at a Job Interview
- 2. Google them online. Make a list of things you like and don’t like about them. Write down at least 3 key things about the company. Research who will be interviewing you. Look them up on Linkedin. Do your research, rehearse, then relax.
- 3. Purchase or borrow a good outfit. Make sure it’s clean. Make sure you feel good in it. It should be business professional attire. Don’t wear a lot of cologne or perfume.
- 6. Have someone ask you questions. Plan and practice some answers to typical questions. Practice in front of a mirror, or record your practice interviews on an audio- or videotape. Look on the Internet for sites with practice interview sessions.
- 7. Ask about room for growth in the company. Ask about who you'll be working with most closely. Ask for more information about one of the tasks that are part of the job description.
- 8. What do you like? Who are you? What are your likes and dislikes? What are your strengths? Can you give us a concrete example to illustrate them? What are your weaknesses? (Do not say that you have no weaknesses or that you've never made a mistake. This will make you look like you're full of yourself.) Why do you want to work for this company? Why do you think you'd be a good fit? What are your long term career goals? What was the biggest professional challenge you've ever faced? How did you tackle it? Are you good at working in teams? Can you provide an example of your strong team work? Why are you choosing to leave your present company? (If you're currently employed elsewhere, be honest about wanting to leave without being overly negative or bad-mouthing your employer. You should be respectful at all times.)
- 9. Write down 3 words you think people would use to describe you. Write down 3 words that you would use to describe yourself. There's a difference between being confident and bragging. Clean up any questionable social media. What will they see when they look at your twitter, Facebook or linkedin account?
- 10. Arrive early, about 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Make sure you know how to get to the interview. If you are unsure of the location, make a trial run. Know where to park and if you need change for a meter. Calm your nerves by taking deep breaths. Maintain a positive attitude no matter how you think the interview is going. Smile. Bring an extra copy of your resume, a fresh notepad and a pen. Greet the interviewer. Offer a firm handshake. Listen carefully for the interviewer's name and title, if you don't already know them. Make and maintain eye contact. Be friendly but not too casual. Speak in complete sentences, and use a formal vocabulary. Don't fidget, chew gum, smoke or use slang during your interview.
- 11. Answer questions. Be tactful, courteous, sincere, polite and knowledgeable about the organization and what you have to offer. Conclude the interview. Thank the interviewer for the time spent with you. Ask when a decision will be made, if that hasn't already been indicated.
- 12. Negative nonverbals Positive nonverbals– firm handshake, good posture, good eyecontact Listen! How should you sit? How should you walk? What you don't say can - and will - be used against you in a job interview.
- 13. Thank them at the end of the interview. Send them a hand-written thank you note.