Interviews: 5 Steps to Success
Posted by Jill Gaynor on Wed, Sep 01, 2010 @ 07:58 AM
1. Start Off Strong - Have a Solid Handshake
Your handshake is your first impression, and as we all know, first impressions are everything.
When meeting your future employer, make sure to give a firm hand shake. It is the best way to kick off an interview and will give your future employer a strong gage of both your energy and confidence level.
2. Come Prepared
Make sure that you have all the materials that you were asked to bring to the interview. Always bring multiple resumes in case you meet with more people than expected.
3. Know Your Stuff
There is nothing worse than a candidate who cannot describe what they did in an 8-hour day at his/her last position.
Before an interview, review your resume. Make sure that you are aware of all dates, duties, and software programs used at each prior position.
4. Think Ahead
Anticipate what the interviewer will ask. Prior to the interview, make a list of questions you think interviewers may ask and practice answering them aloud.
Common questions include: What were your job duties? What are your strengths/weaknesses? What are your salary requirements?
5. Do Your Research
Never go into an interview unprepared, whether with an employment agency or with the hiring company.
Check out the company’s website and educate yourself. When you walk into an interview, be sure to know facts about the company. Learn the company mission.
Bonus Step: Smile and Relax
Though these may seem like the hardest pieces of the puzzle, they shouldn’t be. When going into an interview, your confidence level should be skyrocketing. It means that, in this economic climate, your resume was one of the few chosen out of hundreds of others.
You are there because the hiring manager is impressed with your credentials and already thinks you are "the one" for the position!