When you want your dream job, it’s not all about having the perfect resume or work experience. It’s also about how well you perform in an interview. Interviews can be stressful, especially since you have no idea what might be asked. Rather than being blindsided by unexpected questions, follow these tips below and you’ll have a good chance at acing your next interview!
1. Be Prepared
You don’t want to sound like a robot when answering your interview questions, but you also want to be prepared. Come prepared by memorizing some talking points for common interview questions but don’t memorize and recite a paragraph when the question is asked. Often, how you answer a question is as important as what you answer. If you are polite and answer with confidence, you will make a good impression. And if you do get stuck on a question, don’t stress. Take a deep breath and pause to think. Those five seconds of silence while you formulate your thoughts aren’t awkward silence. It is an indication of you thoughtfully thinking out a genuine answer. That being said, don’t take too much time because it can seem as if you are unprepared.
2. Dress Appropriately
This one you already know from our previous blog post! And remember for interviews, it’s always better to overdress than underdress.
3. Body Language
Body language says a lot about a person. When you interview, make sure to sit straight with your legs closed or crossed. Sitting slumped or with your legs wide open can give the interviewer the impression that you are apathetic or lazy. Also, don’t cross your arms while talking as this can be an indication of insecurity, or conversely, being too confident. You are probably tired of hearing this, but a good handshake shows confidence, professionalism, and respect. When you shake an individual’s hand, don’t pull a Donald Trump and yank your interviewer into your body.
4. Don’t Be Desperate
While expressing interest is important, being too pushy can immediately take you off the hiring list. If you are in a multi-interview process, don’t bring up salary in the first interview. Usually, they will let you know first or there will be a negotiation process when you are hired. Another big no-no is calling your potential employer a couple days after asking if you got the job. However, what you can do is email the next day and thank the employer for the opportunity while reiterating your excitement.
5. Do You Have Any Questions?
You know an interview has ended when the interviewer asks whether you have any questions. Now, this is an important part of the process because this is where you can show off your previous research on the company. Have some questions ready as this is an additional opportunity to show your interest and excitement to work for a company. An example question might be “what does a typical day working as ____ look like?”. Definitely don’t ask questions unrelated to the job!
I know these are a lot of tips and the interview process can be overwhelming, but the most important tip is to be yourself! If you are called in for an interview, that means the employer is interested in you and it is your chance to close the deal. An employer wants to make sure that along with the skills listed on your resume, you are likable, passionate, and a team-player. Most importantly, they want to ensure you’ll fit in with the companies’ culture. An interview is the time when your skills, as well as your personal qualities, are showcased. So be yourself, throw in an appropriate joke or two, and get to know your interviewer!
We hope that with these tips you’ll ace your next interview at the Mega Job Fair and Business Expo, taking place on August 3rd.
By Asuka Wright