Preparing for a Job Interview

Being on time and confident aren’t the only keys to a successful job interview.  Good preparation and planning are essential to a successful job interview.  Increase your chances of getting the job with the following interview tips.

Research the company as much as possible before the interview. Always start your research by looking at the company’s website. Also, do a Google, Facebook and LinkedIn search to acquire additional information.

Prepare answers to commonly asked interview questions. Reread the job advertisement and identify the main skills required for the position. Doing so will help you analyze your skills for the position. Don’t talk too much. Telling the interviewer more than they needs to know could be a costly mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may ramble when answering interview questions, and sometimes talk yourself out of the job.

What to bring to an interview: Extra copies of your resume, references, safety tickets, certificates, driver’s abstract and your enthusiasm.

Practice good nonverbal communication: The first impression can be a great beginning to your interview.  It’s about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a firm handshake.

Ask questions: When asked if they have any questions, many job seekers answer answer, “No.” Wrong answer. Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions to find out if the opportunity is right for you and demonstrates your interest in the job.

Remember, you usually never get a second chance to make a good first impression in the interview.  Visit The Work Place to get the publication Advanced Techniques for Work Search, available at no charge, for additional information on interviews.