If you are nervous about a job interview, consider it an opportunity to improve your life. Research frequently asked questions at job interviews and answer them with confidence, and you will land your dream job. If not, then consider it a fun job interview experience and use it as a lesson to be able to perform better on the next job interview opportunity.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparations to Do
Step 1. Research the company
The first thing you should do after receiving an interview call is to find out information about the company. Find out about the company's vision and mission, how long the company has been in existence, how many employees it has, and what position you will occupy if you get the job. If necessary, memorize the company's motto. Make sure you have as much information as possible and show them you care so that your interview will make an impression on the company.
- There is always a way to show that you are in control of the interview situation. You might say something like the following example: “I've read about your company's mission and I think being committed to educating the world for free is an amazing goal.”
- Show that you know what the requirements are for the job vacancy. If you know the quality of workers required by the company, it will be easier to "sell" yourself and show that you have mastered the needs of the company.
Step 2. If possible, research your potential interviewer
If you can take a few minutes to find out about your interviewer, such as the university they attended, the company they worked for, or anything else about them, then you will have an advantage during the interview process. While you don't need to mention that you're stalking them over the internet, if you find some things you have in common with the interviewer, for example, that you worked for the same company as the interviewer 5 years ago, this might be to your advantage.
- You can view the interviewer's LinkedIn profile or their profile on other professional networks for more information about them.
- Don't mention anything too personal. Don't mention things you found on the interviewer's Facebook page.
Step 3. Prepare to answer some general questions
While every interview process is different, there are some common questions that interviewers always ask and it's best if you are prepared to answer these common questions well so you don't appear unprepared or careless. Here are some common questions interviewers often ask:
- "What do you think are your strengths?" Choose an answer that describes your strengths for the job you want and describe in detail why you have those advantages. Make sure your answers relate to the job you want.
- "What do you think you lack?" Don't answer with “I work too hard” – everyone has heard this answer. Choose an answer that describes your shortcomings that are not very important to the job you want and show that you are working to improve those shortcomings. For example, “My biggest weakness is time management. Sometimes I get so excited about all the material that sometimes I try to cram too much new material into one class. But I've tried to divide each class into 5 minutes and make sure how much material the students can absorb in 1 class period.”
- “Why do you want to work for this company?” Don't tell your interviewer that the reason you want to work there is because only the company called you for an interview. Instead, say a few things you like about the company in as much detail as possible and clearly state why you think you are a good fit for the company and can contribute well to their team.
Step 4. Prepare at least 2 questions
At the end of the interview, the interviewer will usually ask if you have any questions about them. You should prepare some questions and ask questions that are most relevant to the job, this will show that you have done your research and are interested in the job. If you just smile and don't ask anything, it will leave the impression that you don't really care about the job. Here are some things you can ask:
- Ask about the details of the job you want to know.
- Ask how your day-to-day work will look like, for example how long it will take you to collaborate with other coworkers.
- Ask them what their favorite part of working for the company is.
- Ask if you can get involved in the company other than the job description stated. For example, if you are applying for a job as a high school teacher, ask if you can get involved in extracurricular activities as well.
Step 5. Practice with your friends
If you want to feel confident about the interview then practice with your friends or anyone who knows you well. This can help you practice confidently answering questions, controlling your body language, and feeling safe about what you have to offer at the interview. It's also a great way to get rid of nervousness and give you the confidence to face the interview.
- Dress up and dress up when you practice for the interview so you don't feel awkward wearing your work attire to the interview later.
- Ask your friends for input so you can perform better in real interviews. Make sure your friends are getting more compliments than criticism so they can cheer you up.
Step 6. Prepare to explain why you are a good fit for the job vacancy at the company
Find out how the employees work in the company and what are the important points of the job position for the company, use keywords to show that you have the qualities you are looking for so you are a good fit to work for the company. Here are some things you can say:
- “I know that good communication skills are key for this job, and I am the perfect fit because I have years of experience in management, training and hiring processes. I've communicated with various employees, customers and managers over the years and have learned how to give good feedback and discuss areas that need improvement.”
- “I'm really excited about the teamwork required in this job. I have worked successfully with teams and have collaborated with many colleagues in my current position and I would love to use that experience to contribute to your company.”
Step 7. Prepare everything you need
The day before the interview prepare everything you need so you don't have to prepare anything before the day of the interview. You should bring your summary document along with a cover letter for reference in the interview, and any other materials that may help the interviewer get to know you better and the work you do.
For example, you are applying as a teacher then it would be better to bring an old syllabus to show the type of work you can do
Part 2 of 3: Mastering the Interview Process
Step 1. Dress professionally
If you want to leave a good impression then you have to start by dressing professionally. And if needed, buy some formal wear that suits the business environment. Dressing well for an interview will go a long way in helping you land your dream job. Even if the company environment seems casual, don't worry about looking overdressed, which will be much better than dressing casually with a formally dressed interviewer.
- Make sure you look presentable and pay attention to your hygiene. If you don't take time for your appearance, you will leave a bad impression on your interviewer.
- Try on your clothes a few days in advance to make sure there are no problems with your clothes. Do not rush to try on your clothes 1 hour before the interview, and it turns out the price tag still depends on the clothes at the time of your interview.
Step 2. Arrive at the interview site 10 minutes early
Arriving earlier than the appointed time shows you are on time and care about your work. After all, if you arrive in a hurry, you won't have time to cool off before the interview begins. If the employer sees that you can't make it to your interview on time, then you're likely not going to be on time for work either.
- Even if you arrive too early, throw away your Starbucks coffee. Coming over for coffee shows you are too relaxed about the interview.
- If you arrive 30 minutes early, wait in or outside your car. You don't want to come in too early and confuse your interviewer because they aren't ready to interview you.
Step 3. Introduce yourself confidently
When you walk into the room, stand up straight, look them in the eye, smile and shake your interviewer's hand nicely and confidently when introducing yourself. Walk with confidence and avoid looking around the room, remember you only have 1 chance to leave a good first impression.
You could say something as simple as this: “Hi, I'm Susan. Thank you for taking your time to see me.”
Step 4. Answer your questions loudly and clearly
Speak as clearly as you can with confidence and look them in the eye when you share your ideas or views. Avoid saying "like" and "umm" too much and focus on getting your point across. The most important thing is that you speak your words with confidence and show that you mean what you say.
Practice speaking loud and clear so you have the confidence to speak during your interview. Make sure your words are spoken as naturally as possible, not the result of practice
Step 5. Avoid over-providing personal information
Even if you feel that the interviewer really likes you and is getting to know you, you should still avoid giving too much personal information. Don't talk about your children, or your personal problems at home, as this will make you look unfocused and unprofessional.
But of course if you happen to see your interviewer has a big poster of your favorite sports team in his office, then you can talk about it but don't talk much more personally
Step 6. Be sure to thank the interviewer directly
When the interview is over, show that you are grateful that your interviewer took the time to meet with you and provide an opportunity to discuss your abilities and qualifications. When leaving the room, shake their hands and make sure to look them in the eye and give them a smile and a genuine thank you, it shows that you are very grateful for the opportunity that has been given.
- Say something as simple as, “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. This is a great opportunity and I really appreciate it.”
- As the conversation ends, you can also ask the next step and how long it will take. Usually they will tell you when they will contact you and what the next steps are.
Step 7. Know what not to do during the interview
There are several things you should avoid when facing an interview. Many people don't know some simple comments that actually give the interviewer a warning. Choose your words carefully and make sure you leave the impression of being polite and a hard worker who is passionate about the job. Here are some things to avoid:
- Don't ask about job benefits until you've been offered an offer. This will make it appear as if you are more interested in days off and than work.
- Don't talk about how you applied for multiple jobs without being called for an interview. Just make it look like you really want the job.
- Don't say anything that shows the lack of information you know about the company or the lack of research you did. Make sure your interviewer sees your concern for the company.
Step 8. Don't badmouth your current job or company
Even if your boss is rude, petty, reckless, rude or you're not passionate about the job at hand, you should say something like "I've gained a lot of experience with my current job, but I'm ready to take on new challenges." If you talk bad about your current job or boss then the interviewer may think that one day you will do the same to them.
Make sure you leave the impression that you are sociable and easy to work with. Even if the conflict in your current workplace isn't your fault, don't let it give you the impression that you're the type of person to be difficult to work with
Step 9. Follow up
When you have completed your interview, it is a good idea to send your interviewer an email to thank them for taking the time to meet with you and reconsider your interest in the job. Taking the time to send the email will give the impression that you are taking the interview process seriously and are excited for the next step.
In addition, not everyone does this, so you will be seen as a person who is very passionate about the job
Part 3 of 3: Mastering Other Types of Interviews
Step 1. Master the interview via Skype application
The key to mastering interviewing via Skype is to conduct the interview as you would a face-to-face interview. If you want the interview to be successful, dress as if you are going to a real interview, have a copy of your summary and cover letter on your desk and make sure you are in a quiet place with a good internet connection.
- Choose a place with good lighting so that your interviewer can see and read your facial expressions well.
- Close your e-mail screens and other screens that will distract you during the interview. Focus your attention on the person you are talking to.
- Make sure your microphone and video chat app are working properly. Practice by video chatting with your friends the day before to make sure there are no technical issues during the interview.
Step 2. Master the telephone interview
Many employers use telephone interviews to get to know their key applicants before inviting them for an in-person interview. This will save them time and give them a better understanding of each candidate. You should treat this type of interview as the actual interview takes place. Keep notes in front of you, dress neatly and choose a quiet place with good signal so you can have a good conversation over the phone.
- Be sure to be professional and sensitive in your response. Don't be petty just because you're on the phone.
- Remember that your interviewer can't see you, therefore you have to work hard to describe yourself in words. Prepare some keywords that might help you.
Step 3. Mastering group interviews
Sometimes, you may be invited to attend a group interview so the interviewer can interview several candidates at once and see how you interact with each other. The key to mastering this type of interview is to stand out from the interviewer and show that you can interact and work well in a group.
- Don't try to put other candidates down to make you appear superior. Be nice and support other candidates but still show that you are the best candidate for the job.
- If there are group activities taking place during the interview, try to take the leadership position but make sure you don't act like a king and don't hinder other candidates from contributing to the interview.
