How to Ace the Most Important Interview Ever
A job interview is often the final step in determining whether a candidate receives an offer or is rejected in favor of someone else. Though a resume is an important component in obtaining a job, a strong interview can overcome weaknesses such as an unimpressive educational background or lack of previous experience. To ace that big interview, you must prepare yourself by anticipating common questions and knowing how to respond to tough inquiries about your personal characteristics.
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Instructions
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Research the company that will conduct the interview. Thoroughly study the company's history, products, successes, mission and vision statements. Commit several major statistics to memory, such as the past year's sales figures or important innovations that the company recently introduced. Find out who is interviewing you or if it will be a panel interview, so you have an idea what to expect.
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Formulate some common interview questions and develop answers. For example, many companies will ask, "What is your strongest quality and how will that help this company?" List the qualities and characteristics that distinguish you from other candidates. Tailor those qualities to the specific job for which you are applying and be prepared to provide at least one concrete example that applies to the job you want.
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Dress like a professional business person. If you are a man, wear a suit, a conservative tie and dress shoes. If you are a woman, wear a pantsuit or an appropriate work ensemble.
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Arrive 15 minutes early to calm your nerves and to get a feel for the interview location. Ensure that you have a copy of your resume and a notepad to take notes.
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Express enthusiasm in the interview. Let the interviewer know how excited you are for the chance to become an employee and mention one or two specific things about the company -- which you learned in your research -- to show how invested you are in getting the position.
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Ask questions, which lets the interviewer know that you came prepared and are curious about the inner workings of the company. Some good questions to ask are, "What are the qualities you are looking for to fill this position," and "What is the company's corporate managing style?" Ask questions that cannot be answered by a cursory glance on the company's website.
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Ask when you can expect to hear a response at the conclusion of the interview. This is another way to remind the interviewer how much you want the job without sounding desperate. In some cases, the interviewer might also reveal how many other candidates she has to meet, giving you an idea about your competition.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask permission before you take notes in the interview.
Follow up the interview with an email or a short letter expressing gratitude for the opportunity.
Do not speak negatively about your previous or current job, past supervisors or colleagues.
Do not bring up salary and benefits unless the interviewer mentions it first.
Do not gossip or reveal personal issues in an interview.
References
Resources
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