A job interview is sometimes your only chance to make a good impression and sell yourself as a good candidate for a job opening. Spending a little time preparing for this interview will be the determining factor whether you land this job. Learn how to prepare, conduct interviews, as well as common mistakes in the article below.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making preparations
Step 1. Do a little research on the company you are applying for
You will give the impression that you are a very serious candidate if you have knowledge of the company you are applying for, what their company direction is, and other basic information.
- Focus on using the vocabulary found on the company's website. For example, if a company frequently uses the word “Serve With Heart” on its website, you should know what it means and try to explain it during the interview.
- Know the name and other personal details of the person interviewing you. This will help you to make the interview feel like a talk show, which may make you give the interviewer a more positive impression.
Step 2. Anticipate and practice some answers to common questions
The dizzying thing about a job interview is figuring out how to answer the questions that will be asked. What answer do they want to hear? Try to find out about these frequently asked questions and prepare in advance a kind and polite answer will show that you are a superior candidate. The following are some frequently asked questions:
- What do you know about this company?
- Why are you a good fit for this company?
- What will you provide for your team?
- Tell us how you would have faced a problem at work.
Step 3. Prepare your strengths and weaknesses
What is the toughest challenge at work? What's your strength? Your biggest weakness? Things like this are very often asked in a job interview.
- The answer to this question is sometimes self-praising like, “I am a very organized person.” However, honest and straightforward answers can sometimes lead to more effective results.
- If you are applying for a leadership position, it is important to emphasize your leadership qualities and your independence. Good strengths include “I am good at communicating my vision to others and getting them excited about achieving a goal.” A good example of weakness is, “Sometimes I work too fast and I tend to put too much effort into a project.”
- If you are applying for the regular staff section, you do not need to show your leadership. Good strengths, for example, “I can follow directions from the leader quickly and I quickly learn new things.” A good weakness is an example, “Sometimes I often run out of ideas, even though I'm used to helping other people carry out their ideas.”
Step 4. Prepare questions to ask
Interviewers sometimes let you ask questions too. Asking this shows that you are truly prepared to work for their company. Some examples of questions that can be asked are:
- Do you enjoy working here?
- What are the important values that every employee in this company should hold?
- Who will my closest co-workers be?
- What are the daily operations that I will do later?
- Is there room for further development in this company?
- What is the turnover ratio for this position?
Step 5. Avoid bragging
Interviews are a great time for the interviewer to get to know the real you. Don't brag or make up answers just to get the job done. The purpose of the interview is not to show off or just to give a pleasant answer. The goal is to give honest and polite answers without undermining the intelligence of the interviewer. Avoid saying things like, “My widespread weakness is that I'm too much of a perfectionist” or “I'm the person this company really needs.”
Step 6. Complete all required documents
Depending on the interview process, you may need to complete some documents such as a portfolio and CV. Double-check all your documents for typos. If possible, ask someone else to rate your document as well.
You should be familiar with all the materials you bring with you. It would be very suspicious if you had trouble remembering the contents of your document. So make sure you know everything beforehand
Step 7. Dress neatly
Clothing choices that make you look professional and confident, and that suit the company you're applying for.
In most cases, dark clothes are appropriate, unless you're applying for a company that is used to dressing very casually
Method 2 of 3: A Successful Interview
Step 1. Arrive on time
There's nothing worse than showing up late for a job interview. Come early about 10-15 minutes. If you're not familiar with your interview venue, try going there one day in advance to make sure you don't get lost on the day of the interview.
- If arriving on time is good, arriving too early is not good. Arriving more than 30 minutes early will give the interviewer a bad impression. It was possible that he had other things to do first. Follow the interview hours that have been given.
- Stay productive while you wait. You can make a small note, read again the information about the job and the company you are applying for. Hold your documents and materials in your left hand so that you are ready to shake your interviewer's hand when he or she greets you.
Step 2. Be yourself
During the interview, you may be a bit nervous. It's natural to be nervous. Try to remember that your interview is not fake, you just need to be yourself. Stay calm and listen carefully to your conversation with the interviewer.
The interviewer will understand if you are nervous. Saying this in an interview is commonplace and might even make your conversation with him more personal. Don't be afraid to have casual conversations
Step 3. Listen carefully and pay attention
The worst thing about an interview is asking your interviewer to repeat the question because you weren't paying attention. Interviews usually don't last more than 15 minutes. Focus on your conversation and respond actively.
Step 4. Sit up straight
Lean back straight and listen carefully, and show good body language. Look at your interviewer when you talk to him.
Step 5. Think before you speak
Another frequent mistake is that you talk too much and too fast. You don't have to feel awkward about being quiet for a while. Especially if you talk a lot when you are nervous, you should reduce the quantity of your talk a little. Listen more than talk.
You don't have to answer the questions directly. It actually shows that you answered without thinking. Try saying "Good question, let me think for a minute."
Step 6. You must be willing to do what has to be done
If you are asked “Are you ready to work overtime?” say "Yes." If you are asked “Are you ready to communicate with multiple clients?” Say "Yes." Most jobs always come with some training for you to go through before you actually get to work. Believe in yourself that you can do it.
Do not lie. Don't say you're a great chef if you've never actually cooked your own food. Do not overestimate your abilities and experience
Step 7. Sell yourself in the conversation
In general, the purpose of an interview is time for the interviewer to get to know you better. They've read your CV and experience. Now is the time for them to get to know you firsthand.
An interview is not an argument or an interrogation. It's a talk. When the interviewer is talking, pay attention and listen and respond actively
Step 8. Write notes
Bring paper and pen to take small notes if needed. You may also need to bring extra copies of your documents in case they are urgently needed.
Writing notes makes you look organized and tidy. It will also help you to remember small details from your interview that may come in handy in the future. Only note what is necessary. You need to know that excessive note-taking can be annoying
Step 9. Follow Up
You must make the interviewer remember your name. Unless you are asked not to contact him, contact your interviewer to follow up on your interview. A thank you letter or email is a great option. Avoid calling.
Summarize all the important information from your interview, using notes to refresh your memory. Make sure you thank the interviewer for the opportunity. Also say that you will wait for an answer from the company on your application
Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Common Mistakes
Step 1. Don't come with coffee
Many people think that bringing coffee to a job interview will make you look professional. The reality is not at all. In fact, you will look very casual and think of this job interview as just a lunch appointment, not something serious. You also don't have to worry about spilling coffee.
Step 2. Turn off and put away your mobile phone
Turn off your phone and never look at your phone during the interview. Don't look like you care more about the business on your phone than the job interview itself.
Step 3. Don't talk about money
The interview is a time to focus on your abilities and qualifications. Don't ask about things like salary or promotions or anything else about money.
Sometimes you will be asked to write down the salary you want. The best answer for that is that you want to be paid at least according to the company's standards. This shows that you are more focused on the job you are applying for than money
Step 4. Treat your interview as a casual conversation, not an interrogation
Don't get too defensive during the interview, even if you feel like you're being bombarded with questions. Think of this as an opportunity for you to explain more, not to get very defensive.
Step 5. Don't badmouth the company you worked for before
This will make you look like an immature person and like to badmouth other people behind their backs.
If you are asked why you left your old job, say that you are looking for a new work environment and you think the place you are applying for is a good place for a fresh start
Step 6. Avoid smoking and alcoholic beverages before the interview
A study shows that 90% of companies hire employees who don't smoke. Right or wrong, smoking makes you look nervous.
As well as drinking alcohol to relieve your nervousness is also not recommended. You will become less focused because of the effects of alcohol. As said above, it's common to be nervous in an interview
Step 7. Don't be afraid to show your true self
Billionaire Richard Branson prefers to recruit people based on their characteristics rather than experience and qualifications. Every job is different and can be learned. Focus on selling yourself by showing the real you.
Tips
- Make sure you maintain eye contact with your interviewer.
- Contact your interviewer to follow up on your interview results after the given deadline.
- If you are not selected, try to ask why. This information will help you succeed at other interviews.
