Today’s job market is a competitive one. Prospective employers definitely have their pick of qualified, and often overqualified, candidates. There are a number of things you can do to help you perform well in your interview. With a little preparation and some simple follow up, you can greatly increase your chances of impressing potential employers and landing a job.
Get A Step Ahead With Good Research
Before you enter an interview, it is a good idea to research the company that you are about to interview with. What kinds of products and services do they offer? What segment of the market do they cater to? Armed with knowledge about the company, you will better be able to answer interview questions. For example: If a prospective employer asks you, “Why are you a good candidate for this position?” You would tailor your answer in a way that fits what they are looking for. Because of your research, you are aware that your potential employer values employees who take the initiative. Some companies would value a team player more than the person who takes the initiative, and you would answer that question differently if you had that piece of information. There are many questions that are commonly asked during interviews, and it is a good idea to have answers ready for those inquiries. Being prepared for those questions ahead of time will make you seem confident when you present your answers instead of stammering and attempting to come up with a suitable response.
Dress Appropriately, Turn Up On Time and Perform Well
Be sure that what you wear to your interview is appropriate for the type of position you are interviewing for. If you are interviewing for a job as a construction worker, you don’t need to show up in a suit and tie. A nice pair of slacks and button-down shirt would be sufficient. If you are interviewing for a managerial position, then a suit would be very appropriate. When in doubt about what to wear, dress conservatively. Although you may be overdressed, that is better than being under-dressed.
Make sure that you are on time to your interview, and be confident when meeting a potential employer. Shake hands firmly, look them in the eye and make sure to sit up straight. Be positive and smile. Employers want to know that you will blend well with their current workforce. Someone who is positive and confident will blend better than someone who never smiles and conveys a negative attitude.
During the interview, speak decisively and clearly. Answer each question to the best of your ability. Once the interviewer has asked their questions, have a list of questions that you can ask them. The questions you ask should be simple and to the point. They should be things that the interviewer can easily answer. The questions should show that you care about being a good employee and that you value what your employer thinks about you and your job.
Close Out The Interview With Confidence
When your interview is over, tell your interviewer that you would like the job. You could say something like, “I am very interested in this position. I hope that you will consider me as a candidate.” If appropriate, you can send a thank you note to the interviewer expressing gratitude for their time and consideration. This will remind them of who you are and keep you in their minds as they deliberate who to hire. You can also call and check on the status of the position; however, it’s important not to be too aggressive.
The interview is a very important aspect of the job quest. Making a good impression is a balance of preparation, confidence and follow-up. While your skills and qualifications may help you to get the interview, the interview itself is what a potential employer will most likely base the hiring decision upon. Candidates who make it to the interview process have already been screened for qualifications, either by the HR department or possibly an external fixed price recruitment agency and it’s likely that you are matched fairly evenly with other job applicants. It’s important to stand out and show that you are capable of doing the job & doing it well.
