Jan 7, 2011

7 Secrets To A Successful Job Interview


Job Interview Tips



Job interview preparation is a key element in a person's career. If you genuinely believe that you have the skills for the positions you are trying yet you are hopping from one interview to another, then you seriously need a job interview makeover! Read on as we itemize the secrets for a successful interview.
1.   The Art of Talking – Say MORE with LESS

Are you good at extemporaneous speeches? You know, that game where you pick out a topic out of a bowl and talk about it and try to convey all the relevantinformation you know in less than two minutes. If you have never done this before, now is the time to try.


Interviewers do NOT have all day. You need to make an impression in that limited amount of time you are sitting in front of the interviewer(s). And we are not just talking about empty words. Clear and concise is the name of the game. Learn how to put your best foot forward without using too many flowery words or by starting from that medal you got during first grade. 



MAKE A LIST of highlights in your personal and professional lives and then try to convey those in two minutes or less. Practice in front of the mirror or with a friend.
2.   Familiarize Yourself with the Company

Walking in an interview without the slightest clue about the company you want to work for spells for disaster. Employers like to know that you are indeed keen in joining their firm. As such, PREPARE. The easiest way to do this is to visit the company's website. If you got hold of the lead for the firm through a friend or a headhunter, ask them for more information about the firm. 


In general, you should at least know the firm's main line of business, location(s), size, and corporate culture.
3.     Preparing for the Position
In today's tough world, it is not enough to know about the company, you should also think ahead and prepare for the position itself. List down the experiences and personal traits that would make you best suited for the position. This will surely be one of the questions of the interviewer so it is best not to fumble with your reply. Instead, convey an air of confidence that you can do the job.
4. Dress Appropriately

When it comes to job interviews, first impressions DO last. Make sure you are dressed in casual or formal office attire. Limit your jewelry and tone down the perfume or after-shave; you do not want to choke the interviewer with your strong scent do you? 


Make sure you comb your hair just before you go into the interview!
5. Bring in the Right Attitude
The best clothing in the world cannot cover a weak spirit. Bring in the right attitude into an interview. 
  • Come in with a smile and shake hands with the interviewer firmly.
  • Answer questions in a clear and firm voice.
  • Be alert to your surroundings and appear interested at all times.
6.     Do NOT be Late
Under no circumstances should you be late for an interview. It is a sure way to convey that you are NOT the one for the job. Further, arriving early means you have time to freshen up a bit and not look like you ran through traffic. 
7.     ASK!
Do not be afraid to ask questions. Asking about the company and the position at hand conveys keen interest. Tell the interviewer that you do not want to waste his / her/ their time so you would like to ask some questions (e.g., who will be your boss, what the firm's expectations of you are for the first 6 months, salary expectations, etc.) 
Bonus: Answering Right
ALWAYS talk in a positive light. It will do you no good if you take this opportunity to mention how ‘backward' your current boss is or how your current employer is ‘unfair' when it comes to promotions.