How to Ace a Job Interview
These days there are more people looking for jobs than there are jobs to fill. That’s why it’s more important than ever to go into every job interview fully prepared and confidant. Your resume only opens the door; it’s you who must embody the kind of employee that the company is looking for. Here are a few ways you can make it happen:
1. Take a good look at who you are. If you’ve been busy getting your education and looking for work, it might have been a while since you thought about your hobbies and outside interests. Be ready to explain what you enjoy in your free time and elaborate how it makes you the kind of person who would make a good employee. For example, if you enjoy French cooking, it shows that you enjoy history and are very detail oriented. While those attributes might not match up to job qualifications, they speak volumes about who you are as a person.
2. Show interest in the position you are interviewing for. Do as much research as possible about the company and the position they are looking to fill. Employers want people who love their jobs every day, not simply someone to get the job done. They have a mission for the company and they want the employees invested in that mission.
3. Be ready for questions that don’t seem to be relevant. Asking questions such as “What do you feel are your weaknesses?” is pretty standard in the interview process. They want to know how you think on your feet and how well you can sell yourself. Keep you answers honest, but never lose focus on the job that you are hoping to get when choosing your words. If you feel that you could do better when it comes to collaborating with others, say so. But be sure to add that you tend to think better in the quiet and are perfectly comfortable executing ideas in a group. Do you see the difference?
4. Look and act your best. No matter how casual workplaces have become over the past decade, a job interview is still the time to shine. Know the difference between party clothes and proper daytime attire. Posture and body language also go a long way in telling the people around you how you feel about yourself. Sit up straight and project confidence even if you are a bit nervous under the surface. No gum, a firm handshake and direct eye contact are all musts.
After you’ve done your best to answer the questions, be ready with some of your own. Ask about the employee who has worked with the company the longest, or their turnover rate. Ask about the management style of the principals. One thing you don’t want to get into until the interviewer brings it up is the subject of salary or benefits. Thank the person for his time and express an interest in hearing from them soon. Once you’ve done all of these things, you’ll feel good about your efforts as you walk out the door.
Martina Pratt is a job coach in a major southern city. She frequently advises her clients on online college and online degree programs to help advance their careers.