How to Nail a Job Interview

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

Rate: (21 Ratings)

Most interviewers form their opinion of you in the first few minutes of a meeting. Here's how to make a good impression.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
In the days before your interview, talk to people who have worked at the company. If it's practical, hang around outside the building while employees are arriving and note how they dress and behave.
Step2
Learn the name and title of the person you'll be meeting with. Arrive at least 10 minutes early to collect your thoughts.
Step3
Take time to greet and acknowledge the secretary or administrative assistant; it's old-fashioned courtesy, and besides, this person may have a lot of influence.
Step4
Bring along an extra résumé and letters of recommendation in case the interviewer doesn't have them handy.
Step5
Be open and upbeat. Face your interviewer with arms and legs uncrossed, head up, and hands and face at ease. Smile and look the interviewer in the eye.
Step6
Know the company's business, target clients, market and direction cold.
Step7
Walk in prepared with a few relevant questions and listen carefully.
Step8
Subtly give the impression that you're already part of the team by using "we" when asking how something is done. For example, say, "How do we deal with the press?"
Step9
Conclude with a positive statement and a quick, firm handshake. Ask when you might follow up, and get a business card from the interviewer.
Step10
Send a thank-you note.

Tips & Warnings

  • Avoid asking about money at the start of the interview.

Comments

| View All Comments
olabel

olabel said

Flag This Comment

on 7/7/2008 Indeed this is a very resourceful information for any person seeking a job.

You have done a good job, keep it up

Get called up for an interview today!
Visit www.netserveafrica.com

Flag This Comment

on 8/30/2007 outstanding :) this article has helped me already

Flag This Comment

on 8/30/2007 outstanding :) this article has helped me already

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 9/24/2006 Pay attention to how specific your interviewer wants questions answered. I was supposed to answer the questions in STAR format: State situation, tell how you handled it, and give the result. I just answered the question in story format and that, according to the interviewer, showed that I didn't listen carefully to instructions. Some companies want you to do everything exactly as directed regardless of a good answer.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 8/8/2006 I don't know how many good candidates I've seen that would have gotten the job had they just showed up on time! But don't be too early either. Try to show up five to ten minutes before the scheduled interview. Doing a drive by to familiarize yourself with the location of the interview a few days before hand is also not a bad idea and will save the hassle of getting lost.

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Nail a Job Interview

eHow Careers & Work Editor

Related Ads

Careers & Work

acousticgroupie
Meet Kristen Fischer eHow’s Careers & Work Expert.