Helpful Tips for a Successful Job Interview

I’ve always lacked confidence when it comes to job interviews. I usually felt my qualifications wouldn’t be enough, or I just wouldn’t be what they were looking for. I found it rather intimidating to be in a room alone with someone I’d never met, being grilled with questions I rarely knew the answers to. However, that being said, I’ve always done fairly well in interviews. In fact, I’ve rarely gone to an interview and not been offered the job.

I’ve found the importance in having the capability to read people. Now, I can’t necessarily give tips on that, but it’s really not very tricky. Just be aware of who you’re talking to and what kind of person they appear to be. Some interviewers, for instance, want you to simply tell them what they want to hear. “My greatest weakness is I’m a perfectionist.” They want you to turn all negatives into positives. They want you to tell them that your five year plan is to be well-established in their company and working hard to advance.

I once interviewed with a young guy for a Records Clerk position in a large corporate office. I knew that wasn’t a place I wanted to work for a long time, just a temporary solution really. But I could sense that he wasn’t necessarily looking for the cookie cutter employee that many interviewers are searching for. So, when asked where I saw myself in five years, I told him “Writing a column for a newspaper.” I also emphasized that although the position might not be what I’m looking to do for the next twenty years, I was very capable of being good at the job and that I would put all my effort into it. That type of approach doesn’t work well on everyone, so you must be careful, but I could sense that he was looking for honesty.

So, here are some helpful tips to get you off to a good start with your job interview.

1. Dress up. As a teenager, I didn’t think this was important, and I’ve seen many teenagers today applying for jobs wearing sweats or jeans (and they wonder why they don’t get the job.) I now understand that employers want to see that you can look professional, and that you actually give a crap about the job. Maybe once you get hired, you’ll be wearing an apron and a hairnet…that’s ok. You should still try to look neat and professional when you go for the interview.

2. Have answers to common interview questions already prepared in your mind. Have a friend help you practice. I had never practiced before an interview, but one time I had a friend help me and it really made the interview go so much smoother. I had a lot less “Umms” and “hmms” and I just appeared more prepared, more together. You can look on-line for common interview questions to prepare.

3. When the employer/interviewer asks if you have any questions, try to ask SOMETHING. I wouldn’t advise asking about vacation time or benefits, because it could appear that’s all you’re after. But ask something about the company or how he/she enjoys working there.

4. Research the company before hand. When the interviewer asks if you know anything about the company, jump in with some facts you’ve read. That will show that you are truly interested and that you took the time to look into it.

5. If they don’t specify when they will be calling you, ask them. There’s nothing wrong with that. Just say, “And when can I expect to hear something from you?” Be proactive.

6. Oh, and a good, firm handshake never hurt anyone, either. Happy interviewing!