Interviews can look scary, but even a nervous person can improve their interview skills just by preparing a few days in advance. Visiting this page is a great start. Read on to learn more.
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Method 1 of 3: Preparing for an Interview
Step 1. Research about the company
When you know you have an interview call, take a little time to find out about the company and the position you are applying for. You will be able to answer basic questions, especially about work schedules and work responsibilities. You may also find information that interests you, so you can ask the interviewer to clarify later.
- Try the company's website, or the results on your search engine, as well as the company's social media pages.
- Try to understand the company's vision and mission, and how it relates to your abilities and interests. This makes you look ready and a good fit for the company, rather than just repeating what's written on the site.
- If you know someone who works or has worked for that company, this person can give you tips on interviewers or company values.
Step 2. Prepare answers to common questions
Write a list of what you expect to be asked, and prepare the answers in advance. If some of your guesses are correct, you will certainly become more confident and do not hesitate to answer.
- Prepare and summarize your previous work experience, and how this contributed to your current skills and knowledge that will be applied to the job for which you are applying.
- Several things on your CV may be asked, such as long intervals in your job, jobs you only worked on briefly, and unusual work experience.
Step 3. Prepare to describe yourself in a way that is relevant to the job
The interviewer may ask questions that are not related to the job, but you should be able to relate it to your interest in the company.
- Prepare a brief summary of your major accomplishments in your career or life, finalizing it by relating it to how you were a good fit for the job. If they ask “Tell me about yourself”, they are looking for more specific information than what is written on the CV.
- Google your name and be prepared to describe bad information, work experience you didn't include on your CV, or weird hobbies. This last category can be your advantage if you explain the positive reasons why you enjoy it.
- Other common questions are, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”, “Why should we hire you?”, and “How did you know about this company?” This is an opportunity to describe yourself positively, especially your relationship and commitment to the company's mission. If you're having trouble answering, find a friend who can help you come up with a good answer, but not a cliché.
Step 4. Practice answering this question in different ways
Invite your friends to read your list of questions, or do it yourself in front of the mirror. Answer it without reading your paper. Do this a few times, trying to use a different word each time. The more practice, the more natural you will sound when answering.
Step 5. Gather everything you need
Bring a copy of the CV, including a notebook and pen. If you're coming straight from another event, bring a comb, makeup, or anything else that enhances your look before the interview begins.
- Bringing a phone to exchange contacts is a good idea, but make sure you turn it off during the interview.
- Consider printing the “Company page” or job announcement section of their site and making notes of the information you want to learn.
Step 6. Dress nicely
Cut your nails, trim your hair, and wear neat and formal clothes. Check out this article for more information if you're not sure how to dress.
There are rare exceptions, but you only dress casually if you are asked to. Although you still have to pay attention to cleanliness. This situation often occurs in work carried out outside the field
Step 7. Come yourself
Having a bored friend in the car or a child waiting in the lobby will increase your nervousness. Also, clear your schedule so you don't leave someone waiting for you during the interview. If you have to pick up your child from school or meet a friend, try asking someone else for help or reschedule it before the interview.
Step 8. Arrive at least 15 minutes early
Be prepared for unexpected delays. You only have one chance to make a great first impression, and even for good reason, arriving late will make you look bad.
- Do not walk into the interview office until 5 minutes before the scheduled interview. Give yourself time to find interview locations in large complexes or complex buildings.
- If you are forced to be late, call ahead and tell them the reason and your estimated time of arrival.
Step 9. Calm yourself before starting
This linked article contains many methods for reducing nervousness. Pick one or two that you can read before the interview. If you're having trouble calming yourself down and unsure which one will work, try this out a week before the interview.
- If you have time beforehand, try going to lunch with friends or going for a massage. Many people get nervous while waiting alone, so try a relaxing activity with your friends.
- If you only have a few minutes before the interview, take deep, slow breaths. Do this for 30-60 seconds if you can.
- Some relaxation methods cannot be used before the interview, such as bubble bath and jogging right before the interview because it will give a bad impression when you come in wet clothes.
Method 2 of 3: Conquering the Interview
Step 1. Prepare beforehand
Follow the advice in the previous section. The more preparation you do beforehand, the more confident you will become. Don't do everything too tight if you want to make a good impression.
- The advice before this includes all the information you can from research, to calm yourself a few minutes before the interview.
- This section covers the interview itself, starting with introducing yourself, and ending with further follow-up.
Step 2. Make a good impression with your introduction
Greet them confidently, without mumbling, and make eye contact. Greet their hands politely but don't be rude, unless you live in a place that has a different way of greeting other people.
Consider standing while waiting for your interviewer to show up. It's easier to make a good impression when you don't struggle to get up from a chair. This won't ruin your job opportunities, so you're free to sit down if your knees are rocking or need a break
Step 3. Keep it up but don't joke too much
You can't look sad. Try to turn each question into a positive one, including one that touches on a sad subject like losing your previous job. It's good to get to know your interviewer, but don't overdo it until you end up having a conversation instead of an interview.
- When discussing losing my job, use the comments, “I am happy with the experience I had there” or “Now I am free to apply for a good company like this one.”
- Don't joke during the interview. It's hard to predict how strangers will react to your humor.
Step 4. Don't share personal information
You should focus on the question that is being asked of you and how it relates to the job you are applying for. Be careful about sharing personal information such as hobbies and religion.
- Prepare answers in advance if you are asked personal questions. Try to avoid this with responses like “My health/family situation/hobbies will have no effect on my ability to do this job” or “I have a lot of life experiences that add a lot to my work ethic.”
- In America, it is illegal to question applicants about their race, religion, place of birth, age, gender, and disability. Many countries have rules similar to this. If the interviewer asks this question, try to deflect it without getting angry.
Step 5. Write notes about important information
You can jot down important things like the time you started work or your interviewer's contact information. Don't spend time writing everything down, keep your focus on the ongoing conversation.
Step 6. Ask if given the chance
Don't make this a one-way street. If your answer leads to a question you want to ask, ask. When your interviewer asks if you want to ask questions, prepare a few first. This is an opportunity to find out about the basics of the job you are applying for, not just an opportunity for the company to evaluate you.
Step 7. Ask about the next step
At the end of the interview, if the interviewer doesn't tell you, you should ask about next steps. Will they contact you in one week? Are there further interviews? Know what to expect before going.
Remember to thank your interviewer
Step 8. Send thank you notes for important work
Managers may not care whether you send you a thank you note or not, but if this job is important to your career, you need to do more. Contact them the same day to let them know that you really appreciate the interview just now.
Write handwritten notes only if your handwriting is good and clear
Step 9. Follow up if the company is slow to contact you back
If you are promised that you will be contacted within a week, but there is no sign of that happening, send an email to politely ask about this. This will put you first and you may get what you want.
Don't sound impatient or annoyed, but don't be shy about contacting them. Follow-up shows interest in the job, and you should be received positively, as long as you wait a reasonable time for the company to respond, at least a week or as long as the interviewer says
Method 3 of 3: Scheduling an Interview when it's Work
Step 1. Find out how long the interview will take, including travel time
Find out the location of your interview. When you are offered an interview, ask how long the interview will last. If possible, ask for an interview during your lunch break.
Step 2. Don't agree to an interview you can't attend
If it's a wait or more, maybe you can adjust your schedule. But if the interview is being told in the near future, offer an alternative time.
- If you're being offered an interview on the phone and you're unsure of your abilities, say you'll put some time on your calendar and will let them know right away. Call or email them immediately, preferably within a few hours, to let them know when you can attend the interview.
- Some companies have unreasonable expectations, hoping job candidates can show up in less than a day's notice or clear their schedules anyway. In the early stages of the interaction, assume that the person is reasonable, but if over time you realize that they are unreasonable, sometimes you have to postpone important appointments or other sacrifices if you are still interested in the job.
Step 3. Ask if you can attend the interview before or after you work
Be honest with them that you are already working. The company you are applying for certainly does not want its employees to skip work to apply for other jobs. So trying to rearrange this sends a message that you have a good work ethic.
Step 4. Try entering your interview at lunchtime
If the interview is not possible outside of working hours and the location is close, suggest using your lunch hour. Make sure you ask how long the interview will take, so you know if this advice makes sense.
Don't assume that the travel time and interview will be the same as you expected. If your schedule is tight, ask your boss if you can come early or work late because your lunch break is longer
Step 5. Use days off or sick days
Use one of your time off when you need to schedule a longer interview or at a remote location. If you can schedule a few interviews that day, even better.
- Depending on your boss, you may not need to explain more than "I want to take a day off." Sick leave takes a bit of a lie, but with a few companies and short notices, you have no other choice.
- If you do plan to leave your job, using your time off for interviews is not a big loss.
Step 6. Use simple and covert reasons
"I have an appointment on Friday afternoon, can I work overtime on Thursday instead?" is more than enough. You don't even have to lie. If they ask what an appointment is, try a simple and believable answer like a doctor's appointment.
If you do this often, the reason to see a doctor can still be used. Many people need to see the doctor several times without having to tell them about their health problems
Step 7. Don't use excuses that make you look bad
In your nervousness about not disclosing your job search, you could just make your boss even more angry! If you lied to make your boss think you missed work because you were drunk, what would you get?
Let your boss know "first" not after you do. Any excuse will sound unprofessional if it is notified after you have been absent
Step 8. Don't lie about family matters
This is a bad idea. It's normal for your boss to meet the person you're talking about and you'll have a hard time explaining this.
Step 9. Don't make excuses that sound easy to fix or don't give you much time
If you need permission for 3 hours, don't say it because you need to take your child to school. The worst mistake is to tell your boss that you are late because of something he can fix.
Many large companies have childcare services, so make sure you don't use your child as an excuse
Step 10. Make time to change clothes
Many workplaces don't require you to dress as formally as you would at your destination interview. If you are coming straight from work, give yourself time to change before the interview.
If you don't have a place to store your interview gown, put it in the laundry and pick it up on the day of your interview
Step 11. Hire a babysitter
If you need an out-of-hours interview, but need to look after your child, hire a babysitter to replace you for a few hours. You can also ask your family or friends for help.
This also applies to other things, you may need to reschedule a task that is not so important or ask your friends or family to do it for you
Step 12. Don't schedule a phone interview on the job
If you are going to be given a telephone interview, explain to your interviewer that you need to know when the interview will take place. Don't agree to an interview during office hours, you'll get caught.
