- 30.08.2017
Ace your Interview with these Fail Proof Tips
So you’ve been trying since forever to land a job at this company and you finally get called-in for an interview. That’s great! But don’t get too excited just yet, because now is when the real battle begins. Don’t mean to burst your bubble, but surely you’re aware that you aren’t the only one applying for this job. So how do you make an impression that outlasts the rest? Ace your Interview with these Fail Proof Tips!
Here’s what you should do:
1. Do your home-work.
Needless to say, you cannot waltz blindly into the interview room and expect to wow anyone. Knowledge is key here. Do thorough research not only on the company, but on the person who will be interviewing you as well.
2. Dress up
It doesn’t matter if the office dress code is casual. You need to look like you take this interview seriously and not like you just rolled out of bed and into the office. You’re not one of ‘them’ yet.
3. What goes in your bag
Make sure you carry a pen and some extra copies of your CV and other relevant documents. “I already e-mailed it to you” will definitely give off a bad first impression.
4. Getting there
Make sure you reach at least 15 minutes before you are expected. Early is definitely better than late. Give yourself some time to settle down and take in your surroundings before you get called in to the interview room.
5. During the interview
- You have just one chance to make a great first impression, so don’t mess it up. Feeling the pressure? Good. Display self confidence by making sure your handshake is firm and body posture is upright.
- Speak loudly and clearly and maintain eye contact while talking.
- Smile.
6. Answering questions
Of course you’ve been preparing for this day for a while and you feel like everything is going perfect. Here’s where it could get a wee bit tricky. Interviewers sometimes ask questions with a certain aim in mind. Like maybe to see how good your communication skills are or to know whether you are capable of handling certain situations. Keep your answers concise and try answer in less than 2 minutes. Now when we say concise, we don’t mean a yes/no response. Support your answers with little incidents that occurred in your previous job, highlight your skill in handling the situation and how you tackled the problem and what was the outcome. Focus on your strengths, flexibility and willingness to work and learn new things and leadership skills.
Remember, the interviewer isn’t interested in your life story – no matter how touching it may be. He’s just interested in how you and your set of skills can contribute to the growth of the company.
7. Roles reversed
At the end of the interview you will be asked if you have any questions. This is your time to show just how enthusiastic you are about this job. Here is where your research will pay off. Have a strong list of questions to ask based on what you have found out. Also ask questions like, “how would you describe your ideal candidate?” or “how do you measure performance?”
Here’s what you should avoid:
- Don’t be cocky and over-confident. A bad attitude will get you out the door faster than Flash Gordon himself.
- Do not talk badly about your previous employers, no matter how badly you want to. Save the cribbing for your friends. Remember, the interviewer will be listening to your answers and thinking what it would be like to work with you.
- Don’t lie. These references are required for a reason.
- Sometimes the interview will deliberately discourage you and give you the impression that the interview isn’t going well. This is just to test your reaction. Stay calm and focused and don’t let your panic show.