Job interviews have to be one of the most nerve-racking experiences a person goes through. Being put on the spot is hard enough on its own, but knowing that you’re competing against several other qualified candidates in hopes to obtain the ultimate prize – the job position – makes your first impression and every question and answer you give and receive after that absolutely critical. So how do you ace a job interview? While there is no cookie cutter answer because every employer is different, these five steps will put you on the fast track toward securing a good first impression:
1. Always arrive early – You should always arrive at the office where you’re interviewing early. Arriving at the exact time of the interview means you’ll walk into the actual interview itself late. Your interviewer is more than likely on a tight schedule with other interviews and you don’t want to keep them waiting. Instead arrive about 10 minutes early so that you can be seated and interviewing on schedule. Heed the phrase, “early is on time, and on time is late”.
2. Enter with a firm handshake and a smile – First impressions are everything. Give your interviewer a firm handshake and a smile when you first enter the room. A firm handshake exudes an air of confidence, even if you’re actually as nervous as can be, and a smile shows that you’re approachable and amiable, which are two good characteristics to have in any situation and will help diffuse some of your nerves.
3. Make frequent eye contact – Maintaining eye contact while you’re interviewing also shows that you’re confident in your approach; however you need to break eye contact from time to time as well. Staring at your interviewer the entire time you’re there can make things a little uncomfortable.
4. Do your research and ask questions – This can’t be said enough: research the company you’re interviewing at before you go! Find out as much as you can ahead of time so that you are well-informed and you can answer intelligently when they ask you if you know anything about the company (a question that almost always comes up). Ask any questions you have before you leave as well, this is as much about you interviewing the company as it is about them interviewing you.
5. Thank your interviewer – Be sure to thank your interviewer when you leave. This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s something that people frequently forget because they are flustered and nervous. Remember, your interviewer is taking time out of their day to see you, and you should acknowledge that with gratitude.
In today’s uncertain economy bringing your “A” game to interviews is crucial to succeeding. Confidence, even when it’s faked, helps breed more confidence.
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This Guest post is by Christine Kane, a graduate of Communication and Journalism. She enjoys writing about a wide-variety of subjects including internet service for different blogs. She can be reached via email at: christi.kane00 @ gmail.com