Job interviews provide you and your prospective employer with the opportunity to determine if a new job is a good match for your skills and experience. Making a good impression is crucial during an interview, as is your ability to clearly communicate your potential value to the company. Reviewing a few job interview tips before you leave for your interview may help you feel prepared and confident to handle any question the interviewers asks.
Research the Company
Thoroughly researching the company before you arrive for the interview will ensure that you are familiar with the products or services that the company offers, and that you can ask appropriate questions. Review the company's website, if it has one, and take a look at online articles about the firm in newspapers and trade publications. Researching the company helps you stand out in an interview, and shows the interviewer that you are sincerely interested in working there, according to EmploymentGuide.com.
Hold a Mock Interview
Anticipating the type of questions the interviewer will ask can help you prepare. Write a list of potential questions, and ask a friend to take the role of the interviewer. In addition to questions about your skills and experience, you can expect those about your ability to problem solve, why you want to work at the company and your weaknesses. CareerBuilder.com suggests responding to a question about your greatest weakness by describing how you turned a weakness into a strength. Practice your responses several times until you can respond to the question without stumbling over your words or rambling.
Dress Appropriately
Wearing clean, conservative clothing in good repair will help you make a good first impression. Showering before your job interview and keeping hair clean and neat also are important. If you are interviewing for a professional job, wearing a suit is a good idea whether you are a man or a woman. More casual clothing, such as khaki pants and button-down shirts, may be more appropriate for interviews in factories or other industries. Career Services at Virginia Tech cautions against wearing clothing suitable for night out at a club to an interview, and recommends that job applicants not emulate the dress of characters in television shows.
Use Good Interview Etiquette
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recommends arriving early, greeting the interviewer with a firm handshake and using good manners with everyone you meet. Respond clearly and concisely to questions using proper grammar. When the interviewer describes the position or company, ask follow up questions that show that you have prepared for the interview. Thank the interviewer at the end of the interviewer, and ask when you can expect to hear from her. Send a thank-you note expressing your appreciation for her time, and briefly state why you believe that you are a good candidate for the position.
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