How to Present Well at a Job Interview
The way you conduct yourself in a job interview can make the difference between getting the job and losing the opportunity. While the information on your resume and the scores from applicable assessment tests may have gotten you the interview, your interactions and presentations during the interview help the assessor to define if you are a true fit for the company.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Familiarize yourself with your prospective company so you can speak confidently about the organization. Review the company's website and read through any company material that you have received. Ask friends and relatives if they have information about the company.
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2
Prepare for the hard questions. Research some of the more challenging questions that are commonly used by interviewers and outline some of your potential answers. Prepare yourself for "Tell me about a time..." questions and make note of some powerful and memorable work experiences. Be prepared to express not only the good points but the challenging points and learning experiences, as employers like to know that their employees are adaptable and able to effectively manage work challenges.
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3
Dress in your professional best. Wear a suit with clean, polished shoes. Avoid excessive jewelry, cologne and perfume. Both men and women should manicure their nails; avoid excessive nail colors if you are a woman. Ensure that your hair is clean and out of your face, so you can make good eye contact with your interviewer.
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4
Be prepared to take notes. Take along a writing pad or binder and a black or blue pen. Carry fresh copies of your resume and have your references' contact information available, if the interviewer requests it.
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5
Plan to arrive early to the interview location. Consider arriving 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled appointment. This allows time to refresh your attire and gather your thoughts before entering the office. It also allows a buffer, in case additional travel time is required due to traffic delays.
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6
Initiate your ever-so-friendly and confident demeanor as soon as you enter the door. Smile and be pleasant to everyone, as you never know whom you will encounter.
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Speak to your interviewer in a confident fashion. Sit up straight, make eye contact and always think before you speak. Speak with a moderate pace and pleasant tone. Avoid using slang, incomplete sentences and filler words, including "um," "like" and "you know."
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8
Answer each interview question with detail and provide examples when asked. Try not to anticipate questions but rather depend on your preparation, research and experience to answer the questions. Provide accurate information and avoid exaggerations.
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9
End the interview on a pleasant tone. Thank the interviewer for his time. Request the interviewer's contact information or business card to use for your follow-up information and thank-you letter.
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