Before the interview
- Prepare your job interview to know in advance how you’ll answers the questions and what questions you can ask yourself
- Know where you are going and plan your route to the job interview’s place
- Arrive 5 to 15 minute early. Avoid being late but avoid being too early too.
- Bring extra copies of your resume, a pen and some questions.
- Be professional, make sure you dress well and make sure your phone is silent and hidden during the job interview.
Beginning of the interview
- Inform the receptionist that you have an interview, with whom and the time of the interview
- When meeting the interview, look at them in the eyes, shake their hands firmly and introduct yourself. Smile and show confidence to give a good impression during the interview.
- Try to always keep your communication positive (instead of saying “I don’t like repetive tasks”, say “I like challenge”). Let the interviewer lead the interview.
- Don’t chew gum, curse, fidget, etc.
The interview
- Continue using a positive language, and keep a good posture and body language
- Be prepared to answer questions related to your resume. But also pay attention that your answers should sound natural and not “rehearsed”.
- Express your willingless to learn
- Give examples in your answers, you can use the STAR method for that
- If you don’t understand a question, ask the interviewer for further explanation
- It’s OK to take a moment to organize your thoughts befre answering difficult questions
- You do not need to answer illegal quetsions such as your age, religion, race, ethnicity, martial status, sexual/romantic preferences, etc.
- Never criticize your former employer, talk about salary or benefits (unless initiated by the interviewer), focus on your weaknesses or discuss personal issues.
The end of the interview
- Ask job related questions you prepared for the interview
- If the job is offered immediatly, be prepared to discuss salary, benefits, work hours, etc.
- If you are told you will be contacted, ask about how long it will be
- Thank the interviewer for their time and reiterate your intererst with the company/organization
- Shake hands firmly on the way out
- Other ideas of questions to ask
Follow up
- Send the interviewer a thank you email soon after the interview if you really want that job.
- Follow up with the company a week or two after the interview to see if they have made a hiring decision. Don’t forget to keep it professional.
Reasons people are not hired
- Poor appearance
- Inability to communicate clearly
- Lakc of planning or goals
- Lack of enthusiasm and confidence
- Talking poorly of previous employers
- Poor body language and eye contact
- Late to the interview
- Not asking any questions
- Lack of knowledge about the business or the position
- Impolite or unprofessional
- Only simple answers like “yes” or “no” without further explanation