There are many ways an interview can go wrong. If the employer comes to feel as though you lack confidence or are unapproachable, regardless of your experience and qualifications, he will be hesitant to hire you. However, if you project a competent and likable image, and approach the interview with a sense of calm, you can win him over before he has even asked the first question.
Facts Tell But Stories Sell
When your interviewer asks you a question, perhaps about how you would handle a specific type of difficult situation, relate your answer to your personal experience. According to JobBankUSA.com, a personal anecdote is more likely to win your potential employer over than a straightforward factual answer, so tell your interviewer a story about the last time you were faced with a similar challenge. Keep your story brief and, when you're finished, point out the ways in which it relates to the question and the job for which you're applying.
Personality Does Count
If all other things are equal and your potential employer has to choose between two candidates with all of the same qualifications and experience, she will gravitate toward the one she thinks will be a more friendly and enjoyable addition to the team. Dale Carnegie's well-known book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" contains several key ways in which you can create this impression about yourself. For example, do not be afraid to smile. Be a good listener and encourage your potential employer to talk about herself. Find common ground in her personal interests while learning about her professional needs from you. Be genuinely interested and, above all, use her name when you speak to her. According to Dale Carnegie, "a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language."
Polish Your Appearance and Presentation
According to CareerBuilder.com, your interviewer's first impression of you can make or break the rest of the interview. Do not be late and, whenever possible, arrive a few minutes early to appear prepared. Be neat and clean, with well-groomed hair and nails and a professional outfit. When you meet your interviewer, shake his hand firmly to express confidence and pay attention to your body language. Make eye contact and maintain good posture to express your confidence during the interview.
Member Comments