Nobody likes the process of the job interview. Even if you’re not normally socially awkward, the job interview presents unique challenges to every personality type. By following these suggestions, you’ll make a more positive impression and boost your chances of getting that callback.
Do Your Homework
This has always been a top suggestion for job seekers and the internet now makes it that much easier to learn about potential employers. Before arriving at your job interview, you should know something about your prospective employer. After all, pretty much every interviewer will ask why you want to work for their company. By visiting the business’ official website, LinkedIn page, and other social media presences, you can learn everything there is to know about the company and its business performance.
Be Punctual and Attentive
Make sure to start the day off right with a large breakfast. Taking supplements such as Nootropics, and caffeine can help you to be awake and mentally alert for your interview. This is a time when you want to be your absolute best. While that means being alert and responsive, it also means being able to share your best thoughts and dazzle with your intellect. If you show up tired or depressed, you may seem uninterested in the job and that can cause the interview to go south quickly.
Does Your Resume Need Sprucing Up?
The night before your interview, you might want to take the time to review your resume. You can customize it, so that it highlights those skills and experiences best suited to the position for which you are applying. This is also a good time to print out the revised resume. The last thing you want is to run out of ink a half hour before your interview on the following morning.
Drive Like You’re Being Watched
This is something many people don’t consider and they should. When you get near the company’s driveway, begin checking your speed and other driving habits. Most companies have security officers watching the parking lots and you don’t want them to report that you were driving recklessly. This can harm your chances of getting the job, even if you ace the rest of the interview. Careless driving indicates a lack of concern for rules and poor attention to safety.
Dress for Success
When you head into a meeting for a formal interview, you want to look your best and that includes selecting more formal attire. For men, that means a dress shirt with tie, dress slacks, and dress shoes with brown or black socks. For women, that means a modest dress, a blouse and skirt, or pantsuit with pantyhose or stockings and a nice pair of pumps.
Pay attention to hygiene as well. Shower and wash your hair before the interview, following with deodorant. You may choose to wear a dab of perfume or cologne, but don’t douse yourself in it. Overpowering with fragrances can be just as bad as overpowering with body odor.
Rehearse Your Responses
Unless this is your first job interview, you can guess which questions you’re likely to get asked. It’s a good idea to have standard answers to each question and to practice answering them regularly. Either use your reflection in a mirror to ask the questions yourself, or get a friend to rehearse with you. This will help you develop a strategy and you’ll appear more confident in the actual interview.
Prepare Questions of Your Own
Every interview closes with the interviewer asking the interviewee if he or she has any questions that they would like to pose. Responding that you have no questions can be just as bad as asking bad questions. If you’ve done your homework, you know enough about the company to ask an intelligent question, even if you already know the answer. If you’re desperate, you can always ask for clarification on the tasks related to the job for which you’re applying. This is also a good opportunity to find out what traits they’re looking for in their ideal candidate.
It’s never easy to anticipate exactly what each prospective employer is looking for, but, by doing your research, you can arrive better prepared for the interview. Showing up on time, prepared, and eager to make a good impression can help you outshine other candidates. In the end, you want the interviewer to associate your name with positive traits, not bad habits and poor social skills.
