You have been invited to a job interview by an interested employer. However, you are not the only job seeker interviewing for the job…. You will be competing against other candidates.
You need to perform better than the competition and to win over people on the interview panel. Starting strong is vital. Provided in this article are tips on how to do just that.
Prepare
Review the potential interview questions that the interviewer may ask and think about how you will answer them. Research the firm beforehand and be familiar with its history and the services it provides.
Dress appropriately
Your appearance won’t be the basis of the interviewer’s final decision but it can play a part in how you are first perceived. The aim is to convey professionalism and confidence.
Travel light
It may not seem like a big deal but it is all about avoiding potential moments of stress and distraction. You want to keep your mind focused on the task in hand. For example, you may buy a cup of coffee on the way to the interview. Do not bring it into the office to finish unless you want your first task to be a search for the nearest bin. The ultimate goal is about keeping a calm focus.
Greet people warmly
The person at the front desk may not be the hiring manager but their impression of you can still matter.
Arrive on time
Being punctual should be a given. This is a job you want. The aim is to arrive early and observe your surroundings beforehand. However, if you are running late through no fault of your own, phone the interviewers as soon as possible.
Put your phone away
During the wait to be called, you might be tempted to use your smartphone. Do not. When the interviewer then makes his or her appearance, you won’t be caught off guard and wondering later if your phone was switched off or put on silent. Ideally, switch off your phone before you enter the building.
Take a deep breath
And, then another one…Interviews are stressful. However, remember, you are there because you were selected as an ‘interesting person’.
Smile
Do not underestimate the power of a smile. You do not want to overdo it, but think positive and smile on first meeting the interviewer and when appropriate during the interview. Positive people with strong interpersonal skills are more likely to be hired.
Greet interviewer confidently
When you are a guest, you probably expect that they will make the first move in terms if introductions. The traditional interview greeting and parting interaction, which many find daunting, has been identified as an old tradition that the majority hope to shake off.
Eye contact with the interviewer in the initial introduction is also important.
These tips alone will not guarantee you the job but they can get you a little closer to succeeding. When you start your interview out on the right foot, you give yourself the best possible chance of success.
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