How To Have A Successful Job Interview
Your application secured you the interview for that job you want. You have demonstrated on paper the skills and aptitude they are looking for. Now they want to get to know the real you! You want and need to nail that successful job interview!Time to face the Interview Chair!
Here is some guidance and suggestions for you if you are job hunting and new to interviews or if you are a little rusty and need to revisit your job interview skills and interview practice.
It gives help and guidance about job interview skills and how to win at interviews to get that job! I have been both an interviewee and interviewer many times and often interview as part of my job.
Interviews may be not only for a job. It may be with your Bank manager, for voluntary work, for adoption... You can utilise many of the techniques here to make you more comfortable in the whole interview process.
To your success :)
Table of Contents
Find what you need quickly and easily.
- Preparing For The Job Interview
- 12 Great Job Interview Tips
- Types Of Job Interview
- Books About Interview Skills
- Present Yourself For Your Job Interview
- Job Interview Tips. Greeting The Interviewer.
- Your Body Language At Interviews
- Great Books On Body Language
- Three Essential Interview Qualities
- Questions You May Be Asked At Job Interviews.
- Interview Tips -Tell Me About Yourself-The Good Answer.
- Interview Tips-Tell Me About Yourself-The Bad Answer.
- Coping With Stress And Interview Nerves
- Interview Jitters?
- Interview Question Tell Me About A Weakness-The Good Answer.
- Interview Tips-Tell Me About A Weakness-The Bad Answer
- The Interviewer
- After The Job Interview
- Seeking a Job? Have A Browse Here.
- Change Your Life:Life Transformation System Z
- Who Is Jasmine Ann?
- Interview Feedback
- More Interview Information on "Delicious"
- Bloggers about Interviews.
Preparing For The Job Interview
Things to do before you attend your job interview
1.Find out where the job interview will be held and ensure you know how to get there and how long it will take you to get there. Plan your route. Decide if you are going by car, train, taxi or walking. Whatever you decide have a back up plan in case of unforeseen circumstances. If necessary do a dry run first.
2.Decide what you will wear for your interview. Wash it, iron it and hang it up ready the night before. Have ALL the clothes you will wear ready and the shoes as well. Make sure they are smart and comfortable and they fit you well.
3.Read over the job description and any information they sent to you. Reread your application form or letter. At your interview you may well be asked for more detail and you should know it off by heart.
4.If you have not yet done so send off for the company portfolio and read up about them on the internet. Ideally do this at least several days before the interview so you have time to absorb it.
5.Think and rehearse answers to questions you may be asked at the interview.
6.If the interviewers have asked you to bring any paperwork, evidence of qualifications etc get them out and ready at least the day before your interview.
12 Great Job Interview Tips
How to do your best in a job interview.
Interview tips
Top 12 tips on how to do well in a job interview - by pfj recruitment consultants
Runtime: 1:44
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10 Comments:
Types Of Job Interview
The Job Interview can take several forms
I have come across all these types in my working life so far.
1. The Formal Job Interview. Usually held in an office across a table or a boardroom situation.
Ths may be divided into two;
The Formal Job Interview with one interviewer and the Formal interview with a panel of interviewers.
a)The formal Job interview with a single interviewer.
The interview will usually (but not always) take the form of some pre interview chat to settle you. After that the Interviewer will ask you the questions and you will answer. You may get an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview.
It is straightforward as in that the interviewer is the only person you need to answer and take account of.
b) Panel job interviews.
These may consist of two or more interviewers. I once went to one with 5 interviewers!
The same approach is taken usually to settle you, then to start asking questions. However this time you have two or more people in the room it you. It is good practice to look and pay full attention to the person asking the question while they are asking it, then in your response initially look at the person who asked it, then include in your gaze the other interviewers.
2. The informal job interview. Usually you will find the interviewer sitting in a comfy chair, cups of coffee and in a much more relaxed enviroment. Initially this may seem much better. However do remember that you are still being interviewed and you should still pay attention to your body language, speech and what you are saying. Too relaxed and you may say something you regret!
3. Job Interview on the run!
This is not a recommended style of interview but in some firms this is what they do. So they will be showing you around the plant, farm or company and asking you questions as you go. It is important that you ensure they are listening to your responses. You may even want to summarise why you are right for the job before you leave.
There are also Job Interviews;
-where you are told in advance that you need to prepare a presentation.
-the telephone interview.
-where you will participate in an assessment centre to test your skills.
Please let me know if you are interested in learning more about these types of Interview situations as I may prepare a lens for them.
Books About Interview Skills
Learning more about the process of Interviews.
While that is very common there are also other types of Interview you may experience.
Browse through these books to enhance your knowledge and skills further.
The Medical Interview: Mastering Skills for Clinical Practice (Medical Interview (Coulehan))
Amazon Price: $38.65 (as of 10/10/2008)
List Price: $42.95
Used Price: $25.00
Usually ships in 3 to 5 weeks
Successful Interview Skills: How to Present Yourself with Confidence
Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 10/10/2008)
List Price: $15.00
Used Price: $7.89
Usually ships in 24 hours
You're Hired! Interview Skills to Get the Job
Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 10/10/2008)
List Price: $15.00
Used Price: $9.75
Usually ships in 24 hours
Interview Skills That Win the Job: Simple Techniques for Answering All the Tough Questions
Amazon Price: $11.01 (as of 10/10/2008)
List Price: $12.95
Used Price: $6.78
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Medical Interview: Mastering Skills for Clinical Practice. (Book Reviews). (book review): An article from: Southern Medical Journal
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 10/10/2008)
List Price: $5.95
Used Price:
Available for download now
Present Yourself For Your Job Interview
What to wear, how to be presentable for that job interview.
The interviewer wants to see that you care and that you have made an effort.
From the momment you are in the area of your interview you must present yourself for the job.
Whether you are in the car park, in the lobby and in the interview room be courteous to everyone you meet.
While waiting for your interview Dont sit in the waiting room slobbed out. Do not smoke or chew gum while you are waiting. Everyone and anyone could be asked what their impression of you is by the Interviewer. Be pleasant and polite to the receptionist, the doorman or woman -anyone you meet.
Ensure you shower or bathe before an interview. Hygiene is very important. Clean your teeth. Wash your hair, clean and file your nails. Unless it is in a very creative enviroment or in the beauty trade I would advise to go for only soft or neutral nail polish and conservative make up.
Tattoos-if you have tattos and you are applying for a job in a conservative enviroment do wear clothing that will cover them.
I would advise not to wear heavy perfume or aftershave at interview as this can be overpowering. Just a light spray if you feel you want to.
Hair should be neat and not in your face.
Beards or any facial hair should be appropriately trimmed and clean.
Clothes should be clean and well pressed and comfortable. Make sure you are happy sitting in them in any kind of chair. Choose clothes that do not crease. Shoes should be clean and polished.
Before you even attend the interview, you should know what type of company it is. If formal and conservative dress formally,(trousers shirt, tie , jacket or skirt/smart trousers blouse/top) If it is creative you have a bit more leeway in your dress but don't go over the top.
You want your interviewers to see and remember YOU not what you are wearing!
Job Interview Tips. Greeting The Interviewer.
How to greet the Interviewer at your Job Interview.
Corporate Business Etiquette and Protocol : Proper Greetings & Business Etiquette
Learn proper business etiquette rules for how to greet people in the office in this free video on corporate protocol, customs, and manners.
Runtime: 1:25
84715 views
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Your Body Language At Interviews
Your body language says more at interview than you think!
Greeting the Interviewer is very important. Walk in confidently standing with your head up and walking tall. If they extend a handshake then shake their hand confidently and firmly. If not say Good morning/afternoon, hello etc in greeting.
Very Important-Smile!
Keep good Eye Contact Keep enough eye contact with the interviewer so he or she knows you are listening, without staring at them, try to keep it natural.
Take a seat. They will likely ask you to take a seat. When you do sit up in it, do not slouch or sink down in the seat. Neither perch on the edge as if you might take flight any minute! What you want to achieve is to seem calm and alert, relaxed and confident. So sit back in the seat, keep your spine straight and head up.
Now what to do with those hands?
Do not wring your hands or bite your nails or clasp and unclasp-many people do not even realise they are doing this. Try to fold your hands in your lap or place them on your knees. Do not smoke during interviews.Do not cross your arms across your body or sit huddled up. It makes you look defensive and scared.
Your legs and feet. Either sit with both feet on the floor or one leg crossed over athe knee or ankle. Avoid crossing your ankle over the other knee. Try to avoid the male dominant positions of legs wide apart. If you are wearing a skirt whatever position you assume should not reveal too much leg so practice how you will sit when you are picking out your clothes.
Sit up straight or lean slightly forwards to indicate interest.
When the Interview is over, say thank you , smile and walk confidently out of the room.
Great Books On Body Language
Useful to study Body Language so you know more about this.
The Definitive Book of Body Language
Amazon Price: $15.64 (as of 10/10/2008)
How to Say It At Work: Putting Yourself Across with Power Words, Phrases, Body Language, and Communication Secrets
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 10/10/2008)
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Body Language (The Complete Idiot's Guide)
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/10/2008)
Body Language
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 10/10/2008)
Body Language
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 10/10/2008)
Three Essential Interview Qualities
Relaxation,Enthusiasm,Interest.
Yeah right ! Does anyone truly feel relaxed in an interview? Well I dont know. However it is not what you feel that is important but that you Project relaxation. Your Body language and breathing can help you here.
Enthusiasm.
Given that you want this job you need to show and demonstrate that to the Interviewer. During the interview is not the time to be laid back or dispassionate. You have to demonstrate your enthusiasm.
Interest.
During your interview show that you are interested in what the Interviewer has to say. If they talk about the company or show you around show him or her that you are listening and are involved.
Questions You May Be Asked At Job Interviews.
Typical Job Interview Questions
1.Why have you applied for this job?
2.What skills,abilities and personal characteristics do you think make you suitable for this job?
3.Why did you leave you last job?
4.Which part of your studies did you most enjoy?
5.Tell me about yourself?
6.Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?
7.Which part of the job most attracts you and why?
8. Tell me about your most successful project?
9. How would you handle the following scenario(then proceeds to give you a job situation you need to handle)
Interview Tips -Tell Me About Yourself-The Good Answer.
Interview hints and tips.
Interview Tips: Tell me about yourself -- the GOOD answer
A woman, interviewing for a pharmaceutical sales position, answers the common interview question: Tell me about yourself. This is an example of a GOOD way to answer this question. Created by Fresno, California's most respected Recruiting, Staffing and Human Resources consulting firm -- Denham Resources.
Runtime: 3:14
212243 views
10 Comments:
Interview Tips-Tell Me About Yourself-The Bad Answer.
Interview hints and tips.
Interview Tips: Tell me about yourself -- the BAD answer
A woman, interviewing for a pharmaceutical sales position, answers the common interview question: Tell me about yourself. This is an example of a BAD way to answer this question. Created by Fresno, California's most respected Recruiting, Staffing and Human Resources consulting firm -- Denham Resources.
Runtime: 1:30
59515 views
10 Comments:
Coping With Stress And Interview Nerves
Do interviews make you stressed and tense?
Some things you can do to belay interview nerves.
1. Breathe deeply while waiting to be called for the interview. Inhale through you rnose and exhale through your mouth. Inhale for 5 seconds and out for 5 seconds. You should find a relaxed feeling comes over you and your heartbeat slows down.
2. When you are asked a question give yourself a few seconds to think about it before answering. This is better than blurting out answers quickly and gives you space.
3. If you do not understand the question or didn't catch all the words just politely ask the interviewer to repeat the question.
4.If possible have several interviews lined up so that this one is not the be all and end all.
Interview Jitters?
Interview Question Tell Me About A Weakness-The Good Answer.
Difficult Interview Questions.
Interview Tips: Tell me about a weakness, the GOOD answer
A woman, interviewing for an Administrative Office position, answers the common interview question: Tell me about a weakness you have. This is an example of a GOOD way to answer this question. Created by Fresno, California's most respected Recruiting, Staffing and Human Resources consulting firm -- Denham Resources.
Runtime: 1:32
78925 views
10 Comments:
Interview Tips-Tell Me About A Weakness-The Bad Answer
Difficult Interview Questions.
Interview Tips: Tell about a weakness, the BAD answer
A woman, interviewing for an Administrative Office position, answers the common interview question: Tell me about a weakness you have. This is an example of a BAD way to answer this question. Created by Fresno, California's most respected Recruiting, Staffing and Human Resources consulting firm -- Denham Resources.
Runtime: 1:22
10261 views
5 Comments:
The Interviewer
How does the Interviewer Feel about Job Interviews?
Some Interviewers are trained professionals in Interview Skills and are confident and comfortable interviewing you.
Others may have been drafted in at the last minute if the usual interviewer is not available.
Some are as nervous about Interviewing as you may be about being interviewed!!
Others yet may have little idea how to interview effectively. They tend to be the ones who ask you very broad ranging questions like "tell me about you rself" or they ask questions which are designed to elicit a YES/NO response.
You have no control who will interview you.
You do have control over how you answer.
All the time bear in mind the Interviewer is attempting to get to know you better. You would not be there if they did not feel you had a lot of what they want for the job.
If you do get a question that elicits a YES/NO response-called a "closed question" you can still answer more fully.
Question " Did you like your last job?"
Answer A "Yes"
However that tells the interviewer very little. A better answer is
" Yes, I particularly enjoyed working in a team to deadlines and feeling a great sense of achievement in our last project which used my skills in advertising....
However, keep your answers relevant. Do not go off on a tangent.
In each answer try to demonstrate a skill, personal quality or aptitude that you possess. Use examples every time. Don't just say I am a great team player! Say how and in what capacity.
The more interesting and specific the information you supply the easier it is on the interviewer and the more likely you are to be successful.
After The Job Interview
Follow up and feedback after the job interview.
If you have been successful FANTASTIC! You need to ring up and confirm you are happy to accept the job!
If you have not been successful you can still write to thank them for seeing you > You never know when another vacancy may occur at the same company.
You may wish to also ask them for Interview feedback. If there was anything you could have done to improve your interview. Not all companies will do this but if they give you feedback it can be very helpful to you for your next interviews.
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Change Your Life:Life Transformation System Z
Use the power of your mind to improve your life and your job prospects.
The simple exercises and reading allows you to feel good in the present while improving your life in to what you imagine is better.
Chapter One on WINNING is available Free. The reading and exercises in this first chapter will help you to get into a great frame of mind for Interviews!!
Click on the link to find out more...
- LIFE TRANSFORMATION SYSTEM Z
- If you want to learn
How to be winner
How to be Happy
How to deal with criticism
How to stop worrying
How to use the power of your mind and imagination
How to organise twelve areas of your life to be happier, more successful and make into what you imagine is better for yourself...
This e book is for you!!
Who Is Jasmine Ann?
Feel Free To Visit My Other Lenses.
Here you can find out a little more about me and have a browse of other sites.Love you to drop by :)
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Jasmine ann's Lensography
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Visit here to get an insight to me and all my lenses! I'm going to have to face it I am addicted to Squidoo!! When I first discovered Squidoo I just thought I would do one lens on Back Pain and sciatica to support my blog. I had NO IDEA h...
Interview Feedback
Share your memories or advice on interviews here.
Thank you so much for visiting my lens. I hope this lens has been useful to you . Please let me know.
If you feel like sharing any of your own interview tips or interview experiences that would be great!
I love to hear from you and I do read all comments :)
...and if you have an Interview coming up "Wishing you all the very best"
Thank you
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EditorDave
Great Lens! Information all of us for these new times in layoffs, downsizing, rightsizing, and economic uncertainties. If you're going to an interview, be sure to take copies of your Resume and maybe even a portfolio showing what your can do. Thanks again for a great lens! Posted August 20, 2008 |
Great post Jasmine. I've found from personal experience that sometimes you have to "burn" some interviews in order to get the experience interviewing. But it can be a valuable strategy. A good place I've recently discovered on general interview skills, and specifically how to handle 'tricky' questions is at interview-skills
Posted August 18, 2008
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WritingforYourWealth
I'm so glad I make a living from my blogs and don't have to work for anyone else. I don't think I'd make it past the job interviews, heh. It just seems you have to be so fake to impress people in that setting. Great lens though! Posted July 25, 2008 |
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grassosalvato86
Hello! Posted June 03, 2008 |
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CareerCoaching360
This is an excellent lens. You've really done a great job putting together this information. I'd love for you to visit my lens on how to put your career on the fast track when you get a chance. Please leave a comment when you do so I know you were there. Posted May 11, 2008 |
More Interview Information on "Delicious"
Find out more about others views and suggestions about interviews.
These are sites tagged on delicious with the word "interviews".
I have not personally reviewed all these sites but I hope you find it interesting and useful. Sites shown here will change on a daily basis.
Bloggers about Interviews.
Have a look see what's being blogged about Job Interview Skills...
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