Things You'll Need:
- Professional attire
- Resume
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Step 1
To get ready for the job interview, read the job description and make sure you understand what is required.
Research the company, make sure you know how profitable it is (or how much it isn't) , make sure you know and understand the products the company sells or makes. Also make sure you know what skills you bring that will make you a valuable person for this company! -
Step 2
Job interview day: Shower, shave, smell good but don't douse yourself in cologne/perfume. Dress professionally, find out about the culture at the company and ask the Human resources (HR) person what the dress code is. If it is business causal, wear a suit, if HR tells you that people where jeans and sandals, wear a button-down shirt and khakis, always dress slightly better than the dress code.
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Step 3
Get directions to the job interview site and arrive 5-10 minutes early
Be nice to the security guard, the secretary and whoever else you bump into before and after your interview. First impressions count and you should be trying to impress everyone, it doesn't matter what level they are in.
Make sure you have a firm handshake (but not too firm and no sweaty palms). -
Step 4
Look at each interviewer directly in the eyes when you speak to them. Be interested in what is being said to you and express your interest. Often times, the interviewers will let you know exactly what they need either directly or obliquely, your job is to convince them that you fulfill those needs. Ask for their business cards so you can contact them post-interview.
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Step 5
At mid-size and large companies, there are some typical interview questions you will be asked, these questions are focused on your abilities in team work, leadership, technical capabilities and professional interactions. For example: can you tell me a time when you led a project and what problems you had to overcome?
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Step 6
The interview is a 2-way street , you should ask good questions, some of my favorites are : why did you choose to work here, what is the culture like in this company, and what was your background before joining this company. These types of questions will give you an idea of what kind of people work here and what the motivation is in their jobs.
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Step 7
Do not discuss personal issues in your job interview, focus on your work history and skills that are applicable to the position. Do discuss your 5-year plan or some future goals you have in your career (trust me, no one wants to hear that you have no clue). Even if you have no clue, it's best to just say that you want to build your skill set for several years and perhaps make some parallel moves within the company in order to broaden your experience.
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Step 8
Lastly, be sincere in your interest for the job and send an email the next day to each person you interviewed with and let them know that you enjoyed meeting them and reiterate your interest in the job position.
