Whether you are a veteran at job interviews or new to it all, the basic interview tips are key to staying in the competitive job search race. These seven basic interview tips are fairly simple to follow. So there is no reason for you not to do each. You will be amazed at how they can either be forgotten or overlooked sometimes. Don’t make that mistake because first impression counts. If you don’t prepare for your interview or arrive late or always cut your interviewer off, you could be cutting yourself out of the race before you even started.
Here are the 7 basic interview tips everyone should follow
- Do research beforehand – If you want to impress prospective employers then be prepared to do a bit of research into the company you’re applying with. Find out what you can about the services they offer and if you can learn what the ultimate aim of the company is so you can tailor the interview answers you give to suit their needs and expectations. Doing this will also give you a much better idea of whether the company is a good fit for you. You should use Google to read up on the latest company news, Linkedin to see who know that work there and talk to them, Glassdoor to find out how other employees like working there and what are common interview questions.
- Wear appropriate attires – Think carefully about what you wear to interview. It’s safe to assume that in most cases business formal attire will be appropriate but make sure you feel comfortable or you won’t come across well. If you’re applying with a young and funky company then you can afford to dress with a little more personality but a more straight laced firm probably won’t appreciate your hipster tie as much. If you don’t normally dress so smartly make sure you ask a friend to help pick out an appropriate outfit well before the interview date to avoid any last minute panic shopping.
- Arrive on time – This should be obvious. Always ensure you’ve worked out directions and anything else you might need to know before you set off for your interview so there’s no danger of showing up late. In many cases if you’re late for an interview prospective employers will automatically strike you off their list and even if they don’t it makes for a very negative first impression.
- Bring necessary paperwork – Make sure you take any relevant paperwork with you that you may need at an interview, even if you’ve already sent copies with your application. This could include your resume, some examples of previous work or records of any qualifications you’ve gained. Interviewers can often forget to bring your resume to the interviewand would appreciate an extra copy. Remember just because you brought a lot of paperwork, doesn’t mean you should force them all on the interviewer. Show them only if they are appropriate and relevant to the interview.
- Think before your speak – This is so critical and often forgotten because you are either nervous or too excited to take a pause or both. During your interview, wait until the interviewer finish her questions before answering and take time to think before you speak. If you give yourself a moment to gather your thoughts you’re much more likely to give a relevant answer than if you panic and blurt out the first thing that comes into your head. Pause for a moment before you answer questions and you’ll be calmer and much more coherent.
- Show enthusiasm – Smile occasionally, make eye contact without staring, and lean slightly forward. Body language also matters in an interview. If you often look away, lain back, and/or cross your arms, you will look defensive and less interested even if you don’t say so in your words. On the other hand, showing enthusiasm also doesn’t mean you are bouncing off the wall or raising your voice. It’s a balance. It’s about showing you are a professional and very interested in this opportunity without scaring anyone.
- Ask questions if time permits. You should also write down some pertinent questions to ask at the end of your interview if there is time. While you are trying to sell yourself to the company, the company also need to impress you. By asking good questions, it’s your chance to find out what you can’t from your research, show that you know a lot about the company, and are thoughtful in your thinking
For help with actual interview question answers, check out the Ultimate guide to Job Interview Answers written by Bob Firestone. It’s $29 and has a 60 day unconditional money back guarantee. Best wishes to your job search success!
Your Comments: What other basic interview tips you think everyone should follow? Pls share your comments below.
Guest Author: Lucy Pitt is an employment consultant and commentator who write on a variety of subjects including interview techniques, trainee jobs and jobs in IT.
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