10 Best Job Interview Tips

2009 Free Education Guide Click Here

1). You need to do some basic research on the company or organization you are interviewing with.

This means you need to know what duties and job responsibilities you would typically be required to perform.

You need to know what this company or organization manufactures or what types of services it delivers.

You should have some idea of the organization's history and background. Major successes and or products.

All of this type information can be researched and obtained by visiting the organization's website and through doing an online search. You may also obtain some of this information by talking to other employees who work there and through information available to you at your local State Career Center.

2).Knowing the job requirements for the desired position, be prepared to explain how your past job experience, education or training prepares you well, to take-on the new job duties. All job interviewers will want to know how you are qualified for their position.

This one is common sense, but it's amazing how many interviewees, haven't a clue and fumble around with generalized, non-specific, garbage answers. DON'T waste the interviewers time if you really want the job!

Make your answers vivid, memorable, and easy to follow. Present your background qualifications and experiences using specific examples and results.

3).Prepare some questions of your own, beforehand, that relate specifically to the job or company's services. Job interviewers appreciate intelligent questions from interviewees. Make sure the questions are relevant to the organization and position.

Your best bet is to come up with 2 or 3 possible questions and play it by ear, as to how many you ask.

DO not ask questions about pay or benefits during the initial interview! This is something to negotiate AFTER you have been offered a position, not before. Your goal at this stage is to be selected as a finalist for the position and be asked to return for a second interview.

4).Be certain you can explain and discuss your strengths and weaknesses. Be prepared to verbally list your strengths, along with some examples, especially, as they relate to the desired job. Do not dwell on weaknesses and explain how the weakness sometimes is a strength.

Example: Sometimes I feel that I'm too detail oriented, but it always helped me complete my monthly reports, homework, etc. on time.

5).Be aware of your body language and interview behaviour. It's okay to be a little nervous, but don't appear stiff. Give a firm, but normal handshake, sit-up and appear interested and energetic. Remember, this is the job you want and it's important to give a polite and favorable impression. Besides, if you followed the 4 previous steps, you are well prepared, which will greatly lessen your anxiety and allow you to respond and participate in the interview process in a normal manner.

Maintain appropriate eye contact with the interviewer to convey confidence. Be polite and avoid slang and profanities. You want to appear polished and professional.

2009 Free Education Guide Click Here

6). Be ready for surprises, such as possible hypothetical questions relating to your character, example: "what would you do if you caught an employee stealing from the company" etc.

If you get asked a question you don't know, be honest and don't try to wiggle out of it, it will only make matters worse. Chalk it up to experience.

Always be ready to respond when asked, with an example of one of your successes and one of your failures. Remember, we tend to learn a lot from our mistakes and failures. Failure at something is not neccessarily always a bad thing.

7).Have an agenda in mind of how the interview should be going, as this will help you move from one part of the interview to the next and should give you some confidence.

Try to answer questions succinctly, as well as thoroughly, but monitor yourself and don't dwell on anything too long, as this becomes tedious for the interviewer.

8).Do your best to put the interviewer at ease. Interviewing can be a lengthy, tedious process for the person(s) doing the interviewing. If you try and make the interview as smooth and profesional as possible for everyone, you will help make their job easier and improve your chances of selection considerably.

Be considerate of the interviewer. Arrive on time prepared, and don't take up more time than is alloted and neccessary.

9).Dress appropriately for the job being interviewed for. What would you wear your first day of work in this position? Again, do your research here, as it is important that you present yourself as well as other job candidates (if not better). You need to make a good impression that tells the interviewer that you respect the interview process and the job being applied for.

Remember, you will not get a chance to really express your talent, skills and unique abilities, if you don't get the job first.

Express your individualism in a positive manner, through your life's work.

10).Practice your interview skills. Try to do some mock interviews with a friend, a parent, a counselor at the State Career Center, with somebody.

The more you practice difficult questions like: "describe yourself and your strengths," the more smooth they will become and the more prepared and confident you will be.

11).Go back to Tip #1 and do some more research! This is the most important part of the entire interview process. If you don't prepare adequately, the interviewer will know almost immediately and you will be left with an uncomfortable and unproductive interview experience.

You have some great ideas to share, or a favorite movie, book, hobby. Maybe you would like to salute a favorite person in your life or share a favorite recipe.

What are you waiting for? It won't cost you a penny and could earn you some cash, not to mention friends and possibly even fame. Don't forget your favorite cause or charity either.

Squidoo makes it all so easy, it's like a window to the internet and the whole world awaits you!

Click Here to Find Out How