How to Present Yourself During a Job Interview

Show interviewers that you are confident and professional.

You may sound good on paper, with an impressive resume and an intriguing cover letter, but the key to landing the job is how you present yourself during the interview. Impress employers with your impeccable professional attitude and confidence in answering their questions.

Things You'll Need

• Research
• Conservative, professional clothing

Instructions

1. Research the position, the company and the person who will be interviewing you so that can come to the interview knowing exactly what the company needs and how your skills fit in with the organization. Knowing a little bit about the interviewer can also help you relate to him. If you find out that he graduated from the same school as you, or shares a particular interest then you have the chance to build rapport and make a strong connection.

   Conducting thorough research on the company also gives you the chance to prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Showing your interest in the organization based on what you have learned and that you are curious to know more shows your dedication and helps you present yourself as an intelligent and strategic thinker.

2. Dress to impress. Present yourself as a professional who takes the time to consider even the smallest details. Wear a conservative suit in black, navy blue or gray. Make sure that it's been impeccably pressed and dry cleaned. Men should wear ties and nice dress shoes. Women should avoid anything that is too revealing or too short. Button down blouses in a neutral color, keeping jewelry to a minimum and wearing a shoe with a low heel are the best options for an interview. Take a shower, don't wear heavy perfumes or colognes and brush your teeth. Get your hair cut, clean your nails and get a good night's rest so that you can walk into the interview room fresh, confident and energetic.

3. Pay attention to your body language. You may not answer questions nervously, but your body language will betray you. Show confidence and a positive attitude by giving the interviewer a firm hand shake, smile as much as possible and make eye contact with each person with whom you speak. Sit up straight in your chair and don't slouch.

4. Prepare talking points so that you have ready-made answers for some of the most commonly asked questions. Knowing how you're going to answer questions about why you left your last job, your strenghts and weaknesses, your future career goals and why they should hire will set your mind at ease and will allow you to answer questions confidently. You can avoid rambling or blanking out if you're unsure how to answer. Nonprofit career website, Idealist.org suggests bringing notes to the interview on your talking points and key skills you wish to discuss. Even if you're stumped on a question, you can give yourself a minute to collect your thoughts by looking at your notes.

5. Stay on point in answering questions. Answer concisely and briefly. Rambling and taking too long to answer a question may bore the interviewer and he may even think you have something to hide.

6. Let your personality shine through. You don't need to be overly rigid during the interview. Show interviewers that you are down-to-earth and that you have a sense of humor when appropriate.

Tips & Warnings

• Show the interviewer your attention to detail and ability to follow-up by sending a thank you note within 24 hours of the interview. Thank the interviewer for his time, stress your interest in the job and reiterate a few of your key skills and experiences that make you ideal for the position. You may email this letter or send it via postal mail. .

References

• Idealist.org: Presenting Yourself In Person: Interviewing