1. Learn all you can about the company:
Once you get a call for a job interview, begin
researching the company thoroughly. Visit its
website; know its mission statement, gather
information about its products, services and
about the company s key position holders. Also
learn about its competitors.
2. Appearance matters: Always dress
appropriately and neatly for an interview. Wear
formal clothes. Ladies should avoid wearing
flashy clothes and accessories. Don t wear
perfumes or colognes that someone can smell
across the table.
3. Be punctual: Always arrive at the
interview 15 minutes early.
4. Body language: Greet the
interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake.
Lean forward, speak with confidence, and
maintain eye contact throughout the interview.
5. Listen carefully and speak clearly:
Avoid fillers like umm, you know, to be honest
while answering questions. Pause, think, gather
your thoughts, and speak slowly and clearly. It
s better to have a period of silence while you
collect your thoughts than blurting out
something thoughtless to avoid uncomfortable
silence.
6. Resume: Have someone proof read
your resume. Bring extra copies with you to the
interview as there is usually more than one
interviewer and all may not have a copy of your
resume.
7. Honesty is the best policy: You may
be tempted to change or embellish facts to seem
more attractive to the interviewer, but lying
can sink your chances of getting the job.
Interviewers are trained to read people and to
research backgrounds. You re very likely to be
discovered if you lie.
8. Ask questions: Prepare questions
before you arrive to ask about your turn for
questions. Avoid questions about salary and
benefits. Instead, ask questions about
opportunities for personal growth and the goals
and ambitions of the company as a whole.
9. Be positive: Listen to some
soothing music. Relax. Do some breathing
exercises. All these will help you get over your
nervousness. Confidence is an extremely
attractive trait to an interviewer.
10. Write a thank you note and don't
hesitate to follow up: Address the thank you
note to the person you interviewed with. Make
sure to collect a business card on the way out
to ensure that the name is spelled correctly. To
stand out, send the letter through post instead
of an e-mail. Don t be apprehensive about
following up with the interviewer to learn about
the status of the hiring decision.
By following these steps, you have the basis
for a successful, stress-free interview.
