So lets get started.
Note: the first 2 steps are things you should cover prior to a job interview.
1. Being prepared:
As obvious as this sounds. You are responsible for doing research about the company or organisation prior to the interview. Visit the company website and read (not scan) through everything. You should also know your strengths, weaknesses and accomplishments however small or large they are. Ask your friends and family for advice if you can't identify your strengths and weaknesses. If you are still not sure read tips on interviews, Identify your strengths and weaknesses by comparing yourself to those around you, write them down. You probably found them by now I hope. Also know what your interests are. Do you like reading, cooking and so on? If you don't have any interest, find them.
2. Dress appropriately:
Dress for the job and to match the company's atmosphere. Maintain professionalism from head to toe. Looks matter when creating a good first impression. The clothes you chose for that day and your whole look will create an impression of you to the interviewer before the interview even starts. So dress professionally, in clothes that make you feel confident (don't force yourself to wear something just to look the part, pick something that captures the company atmosphere but also reflects on you as a person). Pick something that is professional, comfortable, suitable for the company atmosphere and something that makes you look great (in your opinion).
3. Be early for the interview:
It's definitely better than being late. So manage your time, get enough sleep prior to it. Bloodshot eyes and dark circles are not a great look. Sleep and a well balanced diet are important. Plan ahead so that you have more than enough time to take care of yourself, this includes personal hygiene and getting dressed. Organize everything including transport. Are you taking public transport? Are you driving? Turn up 15 or 30 minutes early. And relax. You are doing great!
4. Be yourself:
Don't put on an act, just be you. Just be confident in who you are. You will be just fine. And concentrate on your interview rather than your acting skills. Be relaxed in your own skin (if you are a stressful person consider doing yoga, it helps). When shaking hands with your interviewer, smile (naturally, not creepily), apply the same pressure as the interviewer (do not break his or her hand and do not try to tickle them). Your posture is important. You should always have a good posture. If you don't, then here's your opportunity to improve it, don't waste it. Good posture shows that you are confident (even if your soft spoken), it shows you are interested and gives the interviewer a good first impression of you. If you are someone that is bad at talking to people then here are some steps for you:
- Practice talking, just general dialogue by yourself. Just like learning a speech. Say your words clearly. If you mess up, Keep trying. Stuff like this doesn't happen overnight.
- Talk to your pets or friends or family. Whoever or whatever you are comfortable talking to. Ask yourself or ask them (excluding pets...) to ask you a few interview questions. Then give them a response (small, stupid, whatever) just try it.
- Try talking to people you don't talk to in class, at university and so on. Get used to that sense of nervousness. It's alright if you are nervous. Just talk, just say hi or small talk is fine. And each time you do it, just talk for a little longer than before. This should help you with your communication skills but also your listening skills. (It's most likely that your listening skills is already great, I can relate).
Another important thing is to show your strengths in way that hides or outshines your weaknesses. For example:
You are: confident, knowledgeable, positive, arrogant, great at communicating, bad at time management and so on.
Strengths:
- confident
- positive
- knowledgeable
- great at communicating
Weaknesses:
- arrogant
- bad at time management
Then you should show your confidence, positive energy, knowledge and communication skills. And limit your arrogance and improve on your time management skills. At least this shows the interviewer that you are capable of learning from your mistakes. That you are aware of your weaknesses.
You confidence levels should be at its peak. Even a soft spoken person must have something that makes them feel confident. Surround yourself with positiveness. Maybe read some positive quotes, do something you love. Surround yourself with people who make you feel happy in your own skin. This should help. And it's something everyone should try.
5. Be attentive:
Listen to the interviewers words carefully, DO NOT TALK OVER THE INTERVIEWER. Just relax, listen and respond when asked to. You will get your chance to speak soon. Be patient. Show some emotion, smile (even if it's just a little) when he/she says something funny. Nod when he/she is looking for some agreement. Doing all these little things have a big impact on first impressions. Don't just sit there like a lifeless being. Show some interest.
6. Watch your body language:
Things like biting your nails, shaking your legs, twirling your hair, playing with a pen. STOP IT. Bad habits are bad (a no no, a zero, a fail). An interview is not the time or place for you to be doing those bad habits, save it for later (or better just stop doing them). If you can't limit it, control it. It's not a great look. It shows that you can't do step 5 properly (and step 5 is very important). All your attention should be on your interviewer (he/she is lucky). Just put down everything, maintain good posture, look at your interviewer (maintain eye contact, it's not scary). Relax. No eye twitching, no creepy smile. Just relax.You'll be fine.
It's just you and the interviewer/s. You are listening to this nice person talking. They are going to ask you a few questions. However tough the questions will be, you'll be fine. You are prepared. You'll do great. So don't be nervous or scared or upset. Your responses should show your effort (and they will, trust me). It (your responses) should tell the interviewer a bit about the type of person you are. If you have done the prior steps properly then you don't have to worry. Because the interviewer should already get a nice, clear picture of you.
You did it! Your interview is over.You did well! Be proud!
So, how was it? Bad?! Better than you expected?! Couldn't have done any better?! Whatever it is you have done it. It wasn't the end of the world.
If your interview was bad, please don't be depressed and don't blame yourself. Stay positive, it will be fine, okay? You gained another experience. You'll only get better from here on!
7. Learn from your mistake/s:
So you didn't get hired huh? It's alright. It can't be helped. Cry, scream, do whatever you need to, so that you'll get all that useless negativity out of your system. But by the end of it, just move on. More importantly find out why? Why didn't you get the job? When they tell you, you should write it down. You should then read over what you wrote and then improve. Learn and grow. So next time you'll do even better.
So, that's it from me. I'm a soft spoken person with a lot of knowledge and if these steps can help someone like me or just anyone I'd be super happy. Lets do well in our next job interview! Do your best! All the best!
Best regards,
Gayathri
For further reading:
- http://www.kellyservices.com.au/AU/Careers/my-Career-Centre/Job-Interview-Questions-and-Interview-Tips/#.Vo8uvPl94dU
- https://www.roberthalf.com.au/job-seekers/career-advice/job-interview-tips
- http://career-advice.careerone.com.au/job-interview-tips/interview-questions/how-you-handle-tough-interview-questions/article.aspx
- http://au.hudson.com/job-seekers/helpful-tips-career-advice/interview-preparation/interview-tips
- http://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/job-interview-tips
- http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2013/01/top-10-tips-for-acing-your-next-job-interview/
- http://www.quintcareers.com/job-interview-tips/
- http://www.hays.com.au/advice-services/interview-questions-tips-1650
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