When you have successfully mastered cover letters, resumes, and job applications and are receiving requests for interviews, it’s time to understand how to succeed in the job interview so that you are ever closer to your goal of obtaining one or more job offers.
Do’s:
- Project a professional image. Use appropriate language. In these more conservative times, it’s better to use language more conservatively, at least for the first interview.
- Call in prepared. Do your background research, including internet, newspaper, etc. about the company, products, services and the person you are meeting with and the company you are recruiting him for.
- Check and judge the enthusiasm and interest of the candidate for the job being offered. Clients don’t hire wooden boxes.
- Establish rapport to be called back for a second interview.
- Demonstrate by word and deed you’re fit for the position.
- Use action verbs and appeal to the senses.
- Have fun and relax. If you are tense, you’ll be seen as rigid and uncomfortable. Breathe deeply before you start the interview and center yourself.
- Be a role model for your profession.
Don’ts:
- Oversell yourself. There’s a time to sell yourself and your credentials, including presenting samples/portfolio. Watch for cues and clues. The conversation should shift to then discussing the job opening and its challenges/opportunities.
- Undersell yourself. This is not the place to be modest. Make sure you can draw attention to specific accomplishments, and quantify and qualify them.
- Don’t be arrogant or haughty.
- Talk badly of previous employers, employees or companies. It will come back to haunt you.
- Tell lies. Be honest. It’s the best policy. If you have something to hide, the future employer will find out.
- Interview in a monotone voice. It’s boring and puts people to sleep. Modulate your voice, use inflection. Smiling helps too. Practice it on phone with your friends. Would you want interview yourself?
- Take anything for granted or make assumptions. You have to earn the trust of the interviewer to be asked back.
Common interview questions
- Tell me about yourself?
- Why did you leave your last job?
- Do you consider yourself successful?
- What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
- Are you applying for other jobs?
- Do you know anyone who works for us?
- What kind of salary do you need?
- How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
- Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
- Tell me about a suggestion you have made
- What irritates you about co-workers?
- What is your greatest strength?
- Tell me about your dream job.
- What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
- What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
- Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor.
- What has disappointed you about a job?
- Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
- What motivates you to do your best on the job?
- What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
- How do you propose to compensate for you lack of experience?
- What qualities do you look for in a boss?
- Describe you work ethic.
- What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
- Do you have any questions for me?
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