The U.S. Department of Labor recommends being prepared to highlight your qualifications for a job as you interview with a prospective employer. The time you spend in the interviewer's office is valuable, so review your background before your appointment. You'll feel more confident, which will give you an edge in a competitive job market. Practice the job interview with a family member or friend beforehand.
Tips
Before the interview, learn as much as you can about the company. Research information such as the history of the company, the products or services it provides, current news and future goals.
Take extra care with your appearance. Even if the company has a casual dress code, you can't go wrong if you wear business clothes, advises USA Jobs. Spend some time grooming your hair and nails. Don't smoke or chew gum during the interview.
Present a positive attitude from the moment you arrive at the company until you leave. Arrive a few minutes early so you don't feel rushed. Be polite to every person you meet, including the security guard and human resources receptionist. Avoid using slang and speak clearly. Make eye contact and smile. Shake hands with the interviewer after the interview is over. Send a thank you letter to the interviewer within a day or two.
Questions to Ask
An interview is supposed to work in two directions, according to Careerbuilder.com. Instead of just answering questions about your job history, have some questions to ask the interviewer. Ask how she sees the company progressing in the next five years and what the company has planned to achieve its goal. Ask what happened to the last person who had the job and what the company expects from the next employee. If the company is large, discuss how the department you're applying to join fits in with the overall company structure. This is also a good time to learn about career paths and the company's policy on promoting from within. Before you leave, ask about the next step in the interview process.
Questions You'll Likely Be Asked
Most interviewers have a list of questions to ask prospective employees. You may have variations of the same questions as you go from one interview to another, so be prepared to answer the most common ones. If you're asked to tell about yourself, discuss your career progression and what you've learned that might apply to the job you're interviewing for, advises the JobOpenings website.
The interviewer is likely to ask what your strengths and weaknesses are. For strengths, talk about how you can solve problems and be prepared to provide examples. Weaknesses should be honest but not send up a red flag. You can mention something about having trouble leaving your work at the office or a mild weakness that you're working on, such as being impatient with people who are always late for meetings.
The interview might ask questions about specific skills. Be prepared to talk about specific work skills as well as interpersonal skills. If you have a history of being a successful team leader, this is a good time to bring it up.
When the employer asks why you left your last job or why you want to change jobs, avoid saying anything bad about your former or present employer. Instead, discuss your goals of working for a company that has more opportunities, your desire to travel less or something that suits the job you're applying for.
Some employers ask why they should hire you. Resist the urge to explain how badly you need this job. Instead, show how your skills can be put to use to help the company achieve future goals.
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