The Secret Of A Successful Job Interview

A job interview can be a stressful event for many people, especially if they do not have a lot of experience with this critical first step in the job-hunting process. There are mistakes you can make on a job interview that may lead to you not getting hired. There are also things you can do to make your job interview a success.

With some preparation and research though, it will help make this nerve-racking experience more successful. Take these tips and you will be on your way to a successful job interview.

Secret 1. Research the Company

Be sure to read up on the company or organization as much as you can. This will help you be prepared and it will also lead to questions you may want to ask at the interview. Take notes. In addition to preparing yourself for the interview, you may learn some things about the organization that will make you want to work for the company more, or possibly less.

Some examples of things to research on include details about the products or services they offer, their mission statement, their goals as an organization, the competition, how many employees, how long they have been in business, who the customers are, what benefits they may have, and what makes them different than their competitors or similar organizations in the area. Knowing these things will prepare you and make you feel more confident when the interviewer asks specific questions about the company.

Secret 2. Make a Great First Impression

Show up on time or better yet, early! When you arrive, have a positive attitude. When you meet your interviewer, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, and smile. Feel free to make small talk before your interview begins. This will help you relax and it shows the interviewer you have confidence and poise. Don’t be afraid to show some enthusiasm towards the organization you are interviewing for.

Dress up as professional as possible. This goes without saying, but remember this is part of the first impression. You can never be too professional or over-dressed. Looking presentable and professional shows you are serious about getting a position at this company.

Your professional attire, showing up early, and having a good attitude all contribute to the first impression and will start the interview off on a good note, even before it begins! This may be the tipping point on getting hired even if you are not a perfect match. Impressions are everything when it comes to interviews. As the saying goes, perception is reality.

Secret 3. Give Them Reasons to Hire You

In a job interview you have to sell yourself. Be prepared to give examples of your strengths and talents that end up leaving the employer with a good impression of you.

There will be questions that the interviewer may ask which you are not fully prepared for. First of all, be honest and answer the best you can, and do NOT fumble through it. The actually answer may be less important than how you react, how you articulate your answers, how your thought process works, how you think on your feet, and how confident you are.

Do not belabor a point or ramble on, but provide enough details that the interviewer will be satisfied with your answer. If you ramble on too long, you may bore or confuse the interviewer, reveal that you are nervous, or lose your concentration.

If you did not understand a question, ask him or her to explain it or verify and rephrase the question so you comprehend what is being asked. Do not make up an answer unless you are sure what has been asked.

Final Tips for the Job Interview

Secret 4. Bring a copy of your resume to the interview to refer to if the employer has specific questions about your experiences.

Secret 5. Ask questions. Be proactive and do not be afraid to ask questions that show you are very interested in this organization. It shows you are prepared, and it will help both you and the employer decide if you are a good fit for the company.

Secret 6. Understand the industry jargon. Many industries have jargon and acronyms that may be thrown out in the interview. Be familiar with this, so you do not look foolish when you don’t know some basic industry speak during the conversation.

Secret 7. Leave you cell phone in the car or turn it off! That would just be embarrassing if your phone went off right in the middle of an interview, especially if the ring tone was a "club tone." Also, on this note, be sure your voice mail message is not inappropriate for when employers start calling you back.

Secret 8. Always send a thank you note after the interview. You may drop it in the mail within the day or two after the interview.
Secret 9.Express your interest towards the job, thank them for their time, and add good contact information. This shows courtesy and professionalism and could just be the icing on the cake that makes you stand out above the rest. If you are not interested in the job, do this anyhow because you don’t want to burn any bridges.
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