There is no magic formula to presenting well in a job interview and securing a job, but there are some basic things you should and shouldn’t do to improve your chances of success.
Here are some of my top Do’s and Don’ts during your job interview.
It all starts from the minute you walk in that door – punctuality sounds like an easy task but many job applicants damage their job prospects before the interview even starts by being late. Get to your job interview early.
First impressions win a thousand hearts. Your dress sense gives an inside look into who you are. Dress professionally and for goodness sake, have clean shoes.
Always know a little about the company you are looking to work for. Conduct research, look at their website and ask people questions. In many cases, employees will ask an applicant if they know anything about the company – saying I don’t know anything wont do you any favours during your interview.
Know your CV! Not being able to elaborate on the details you have written in your CV shows an interviewer that your CV may be overinflated and you may not have the experience you say you do.
Everyone gets nervous, it’s a common human trait. But by keeping good posture, talking slowly and looking at the interviewees when answering questions, you will present confidence, even though you may have 100 butterflies in your stomach.
Have a pre-planned response to a question you don’t know the answer to. Often, interviewees will ask you questions that you are not expected to know the answer to or you may just have a brain freeze and not be able to remember the answers. It doesn’t matter – answering the question with a confident response is always much better than sitting there with a blank stare on your face or saying “I don’t know”. Responses like “I haven’t experienced that before but I would certainly research it to find the answer” or “I am not sure of the answer to that question but I would ask my colleagues” or “I don’t the know the answer to your question but whenever I don’t know something I seek support from people who will know”. Pre-planned answers like these will quickly turn a negative response into a positive one and show your interviewer that you can think outside the square.
Give some pre-thought into your final statement. Most interviewees, at the end of their interview will ask you if you have anything further to say. Use this opportunity to re-iterate your strengths, the reasons why you should be selected for the job.
And finally, you passing comment – don’t just walk out. Leave the interviewer with little choice to hire you. A simple comment like “thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. There is so much more to me than I have presented at this interview and I certainly hope I get the opportunity to show you”.
What are some basic Do’s and Don’ts that you like to follow for your job interviews?