Read our Job Interview Tips, Part One: Preparation before you check out this post.
Jobs do not tend to be handed to us on a silver platter. Although I haven’t had too many job interviews, I have been able to learn a lot from the handful that I have had. For some people, job interviews are one of the scariest things they will ever have to do for the job. These tips could help you to pass your interview – and even to enjoy the interviewing process.
1) Dress appropriately. For an interview, I wouldn’t be as concerned about wearing closed-toed versus open-toed shoes as I would about dressing in a professional manner. Don’t wear anything too flashy and never wear jeans. A simple blazer can class-up most outfits. Be aware that the weather may take a turn for the worse, so have a back-up outfit ready: if you plan on wearing a skirt and pumps but then it begins to rain, it would certainly be a better choice to wear pants and shoes that won’t fall apart (or cause you to slip on the sidewalk!). Rain pants and a rain jacket are another good option to protect your clothes. Don’t worry about showing up looking ridiculous; you can pop into the washroom to peel off your outer layers and you will appear much more presentable than if you arrived looking like a drowned rat.
2) Accept the glass of water if/when it is offered. You will likely feel nervous throughout the interview, and your mouth is going to get dry fast from answering so many questions. Having a glass of water on hand will also give you something to reach for throughout the interview, and it will likely put you at ease. Choose water over coffee or tea if the options are offered, however – there’s always the possibility that your hand will be a little shaky from nerves, and you definitely don’t want to accidentally spill a hot beverage over yourself!
3) Allow your tone of voice and gestures to speak for you. You might say all the right things, but if you slouch or if you speak in a careless manner or use slang, the interviewer won’t be very impressed. On the other hand, if you have difficulty in answering the questions but you have good posture, articulate your words well, and use your body language to indicate interest, the interviewer will be able to see that you have the capabilities to develop job-related skills over time.
4) Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask for clarification if you do not understand something that the interviewer has said. You will fare better if you fully understand the question than if you try to cobble together a response which in fact has nothing to do with the question (and yes, I have unfortunately learned that from experience). Show interest in the company by inquiring as to how it is run and the experiences that both the employees and the clients have had.
5) Remember that the interviewer wants you to succeed. This is perhaps one of the best statements that I have ever heard an interviewer say. They aren’t there to scare you off; they want a new employee just as much as you want a new job. If you act with polite confidence, offer a firm handshake, and think of the interviewer as a person with a similar interest and goal as your own – that is, for you (presumably the ideal candidate!) to get the job – then you will be in a much more comfortable position which will reflect in your demeanor.
What steps do you take to prepare for an interview?
Good call on the last one!