Your big interview is coming up! I know, very scary situation. After all, if you don't make a good impression -- you won't land
that job! There is no quick way to get rid of the anxiety of going to a job interview. The truth is, if the idea of going to an interview makes you nervous, when you get there -- you will also be nervous. However, if you prepare yourself and arm yourself with great interview skills and tools -- you will be able to calm yourself some, instead of going into a frenzy.
Read the areas that you need help with or read the entire page; when you reach the end of this page, you will have a chance to practice.
Be Confident
Applying for a job you are qualified for will give you all the confidence you need to calm down and decrease your level of nervousness. If you are applying for your dream job, then find out what skills are required, and go out there and train. When you are prepared, set up an interview, because confidence in your ability to perform a job will carry you through the interview process.
If you are already qualified, remember that as you walk into the interview. In that case, you are there because they need a great employee who is qualified and you are that great employee who is qualified! If you are still nervous, hide it. They cannot tell you are nervous unless you show them you are.
What is The Purpose of an Interview?
Contrary to popular belief, an interview is not to find out what is wrong with you. A hiring manager is a person performing the job of finding the best-qualified candidate she/he can. With this in mind, go to your interview realizing that not only do you need a job; but, they also need you. This is a meeting of two people in search of fulfilling each other's need. Feed their need and you will be fine.
Before your interview, find out what it is they need. Study the company and go to their Web site. If you know anyone in the company, ask them to sum up the company's mission. Find out what the ideal candidate is and talk up those qualities during your interview. To look up a company's profile you can visit: BizWeb.com
Be Prepared
Plan to arrive 1/2 hour earlier, and try to announce yourself at least 10 minutes before your time.
Make sure you bring a hard copy of your resume. Also, bring a list of references and always hand them in with your resume, even when not requested. If you need help preparing your resume, inquire about hiring our resume writer
Perform your research on the company. You must know something about the company and the position before you walk into an interview. Would you hire someone to clean your house who does not sound like they will be careful with your possessions, but they are dedicated and seek a position that will challenge them?
A New Job is Cause for Celebration!
A new job is something to look forward to. This is a wonderful step you are taking and you want to make sure your needs are also met. Therefore, ask questions.
It is best if you have these questions prepared before you get to the interview because you might actually forget them. If a few more come up during the interview then ask those first. It is okay to pull your questions out on a sheet of paper. This will only show the interviewer that you are prepared and you think ahead. If the interviewer does not present the opportunity, wait until the end of the interview and ask for permission to review some questions. Be brief; remember the interviewer might have more appointments lined up. Do not bring up salary, unless the interviewer brings it up. You can wait to discuss salary when they call you back in for the job or a second interview.
Be Genuine
Although you will practice interview questions, they are strictly for warm up! You do not want to sound like a programmed robot. The purpose for practicing is to reassure yourself that you have all the answers, and to practice thinking and responding quickly (just in case you are the type of person that says the first thing that comes to mind). Once you have practiced, you will find that you will instinctively know the answers. Let them flow naturally.
Read all the questions first. Then note your answers on a sheet of paper. When you are done, analyze them. Ask yourself, is my answer relevant to what this employer might be looking for?
Once you have analyzed and polished your answers, practice your answers in front of a mirror. Practice until you feel comfortable looking directly into your eyes and feel at ease responding.
Time yourself. You should be able to answer the following questions professionally and engagingly within 20 minutes. Good Luck!
1) Please tell me a little about yourself.
Be brief and keep it related to your work life.Give an overview not a life story.Don't talk about your wonderful dog! Again, keep it about your career.
2) Why are you the best candidate for this job?
Remember the skills and strengths you posses that are related to this position.
3) Can you tell me about your work experience?
Remember your relevant work experience, be positive. Bring up school/work experiences that are related to this position. Especially, talk results!
You want them to think that you will bring the same benefits to their company.
4) Can you describe your strengths and weakness?
Again, your strengths make you the best candidate. Be proud and positive. With your weaknesses
(if you have any) -- be brief and don't be hard on yourself. Make sure it is something with minimal impact on your new career choice. Once you have described a weakness, explain how you will overcome it.
5) What would your supervisors and
co-workers say about you?
Think about anything positive that brought the last company results. Do not criticize your last employer! Big NO NO!
6) Where do you see yourself in five years?
Make sure it is related to your career choice. If it is not, make sure you explain how being offered this position falls into place with your goal. Make sure you are not the only one that would benefit. You must highlight the benefit for the company.
7) What do you know about our company?
This is where your research will come in handy. Show that you understand the company. Demonstrate that you understand your duty under this new position and how it fits into the company's mission.
8) Why should I hire you?
Don't get defensive, don't panic, this is a legitimate question because they are investing money into your labor. Tell them how hiring you will yield results for them. Remember what kind of candidate they are looking for. Why are they looking for this candidate? What do they want? Then tell them they will get exactly what they are looking for when they hire you!
9) What is your salary requirement?
If they advertised a salary - quote it. If they did not, make sure you have researched the average salary for the position. You can visit www.salary.com. Then, give them a range from your last pay to this new average. It is safe to tell them where you got your numbers. Ask them if this is reasonable to them, because if it is not, they will explain there instead of not calling you back. If they found your demand to high, you will then have a chance to negotiate with them. Do not bring up salary if they do not. Wait until they call you back.
Win Quality Interviews and Impress Them Before the Interview
Imagine walking into your interview with an impressive resume and a list of references that match your resume's design and quality. Then, your interviewer tells you they were looking forward to meeting you after receiving your impressive resume via e-mail. This is not “advertisement hype.” This has been a reality for many of our customers.
Are you 100% confident with your current resume? Can your resume set you up for a winning interview? Learn more and make this scenario part of your interview process.
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