When you attend interviews, your task is to convince a recruiter or panel that you have the skills, knowledge and experience for the job. Show motivation and convince a them that you fit their company or organization and job description, and you created a chance to win the position. Before you go to the interview
1. Research the industry and company.
An interviewer may ask how you perceive his company's position in its industry, who the firm's competitors are, what its competitive advantages are, and how it should best go forward. For this reason, avoid trying to thoroughly research a dozen different industries. Focus your job search on just a few industries instead.
2. Arrive Early
It's always a good idea to arrive 15 minutes early to the interview. To ensure you get there on time, take a test drive to the interview location around the same time your interview will be. This will give you an idea of where you are going, what the traffic should be like, and what the parking situation is before your interview day. Brainstorm some strategies for dealing with stress. The added 15 minutes you gave yourself should allow for time to collect your nerves before the interview. Keep your body language in-check. Always smile and appear as warm as possible.
3. Make the most of the "Tell me about yourself" question.
Many interviewers begin interviews with this question. So how should you respond? You can go into a story about where you were born, what your parents do, how many brothers and sisters and that's okay. But would you rather have the interviewer writing down what kind of dog you have – or why the company should hire you? Consider responding to this question with something like:
"Well, obviously I could tell you about lots of things, and if I'm missing what you want, please let me know. But the three things I think are most important for you to know about me are tell them your strength and good characters. I can expand on those a little if you'd like." Interviewers will always say, "Sure, go ahead." Then you say, "Well, regarding the first point, [example]. And when I was working for [mention company], I [example of another selling point]." Etc. This strategy enables you to focus the first 10-15 minutes of the interview on all of your key selling points. The "Tell me about yourself" question is a golden opportunity. Don't miss it!
4. Speak the right body language.
Dress appropriately, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, have good posture, speak clearly, and don't wear perfume or cologne! Sometimes interview locations are small rooms that may lack good air circulation. You want the interviewer paying attention to your job qualifications -- not passing out because you've come in wearing Chanel No. 5 and the candidate before you was doused with Brut, and the two have mixed to form a poisonous gas that results in you not getting an offer!
5. Compare your skills and qualifications to the job requirements.
Analyze the job description. Outline the knowledge, skills and abilities required. Examine the hierarchy. Determine where the position fits within the organization. Look side-by-side. Compare what the employer is seeking to your qualifications.
6. Plan what to wear.
Go neutral. Conservative business attire, such as a neutral-colored suit and professional shoes, is best. If instructed to dress “business casual,” use good judgment. Plug in that iron. Make sure your clothes are neat and wrinkle-free. Dress to impress. Be sure that your overall appearance is neat and clean.
7. Prepare for common interview questions.
Every "how to interview" book has a list of a hundred or more "common interview questions." (You might wonder just how long those interviews are if there are that many common questions!) So how do you prepare? Pick any list and think about which questions you're most likely to encounter, given your age and status Then prepare your answers so you won't have to fumble for them during the actual interview.
8. Line up your questions for the interviewer.
Come to the interview with some intelligent questions for the interviewer that demonstrate your knowledge of the company as well as your serious intent. Interviewers always ask if you have any questions, and no matter what, you should have one or two ready. If you say, "No, not really," he or she may conclude that you're not all that interested in the job or the company. A good all-purpose question is, "If you could design the ideal candidate for this position from the ground up, what would he or she be like?"
If you're having a series of interviews with the same company, you can use some of your prepared questions with each person you meet (for example, "What do you think is the best thing about working here?" and "What kind of person would you most like to see fill this position?") Then, try to think of one or two others during each interview itself.
9. Be assertive and take responsibility for the interview.
Perhaps out of the effort to be polite, some usually assertive candidates become overly passive during job interviews. But politeness doesn't equal passivity. An interview is like any other conversation – it’s a dance in which you and a partner move together, both responding to the other. Don't make the mistake of just sitting there waiting for the interviewer to ask you about that when Tanzania get independence. It's your responsibility to make sure he walks away knowing your key selling points.
10. Think positive.
No one likes a complainer, so don't dwell on negative experiences during an interview. Even if the interviewer asks you point blank, "What courses have you liked least?" or "What did you like least about that previous job?" don't answer the question. Or more specifically, don't answer it as it's been asked. Instead, say something like, "Well, actually I've found something about all of my classes that I've liked. For example, although I found to be very tough, I liked the fact that [positive point about the class]" or "I liked [a previous job] quite a bit, although now I know that I really want to [new job]."
11. Don't give up!
If you've had a bad interview for a job that you truly think would be a great fit for you (not just something you want badly), don't give up! Write a note, send an email, or call the interviewer to let him or her know that you think you did a poor job of communicating why you think this job would be a good match. Reiterate what you have to offer the company, and say that you'd like an opportunity to contribute. Whether this strategy will get you a job offer depends on the company and on you. But one thing's for sure: If you don't try, your chances are exactly zero. We've seen this approach work on numerous occasions, and we encourage you to give it that last shot.
Remember
Do you look professional? Check yourself in the mirror; part of your confidence will come from looking good.
Carry these items to the interview:
• Several copies of your resume on quality paper.
• A copy of your references.
• A pad of paper on which to take notes, though notes are optional.
• Directions to the interview site.
