The interview – it’s the ultimate make or break point of the job search process. Prepare properly and have your ducks in a row, and you stand a good chance of being hired. Show up unprepared, and you may make a poor impression and squash your odds of landing the job. Here are some of the main points to cover when preparing to ensure you have a successful interview.
Do Your Research
Any time you enter an interview, you’re under the microscope – and some of the main things an interviewer will analyze is your interest and effort level. They will often do this by asking what you know about their company and the position you’re applying for. If you know little to nothing, it’s going to reflect negatively on you and could potentially be a disqualifier.
That’s why it’s essential to perform some background research on the company, their history, the job description, etc. Doing so will ensure that you can answer basic questions and shows that you have genuine interest.
Print Out Multiple Copies of Your Resume and a Reference List
There’s a good chance that a recruiter will want to take a look at your resume during an interview to check out various information and details. You can help yourself by having at least three copies of your resume on hand so you can distribute it to the interviewer and anyone else who might be interested. It’s also smart to have a full list of references that you can provide. Even if they don’t ask for it, it shows that you’re prepared and have nothing to hide.
Be Ready to Answer Common Questions
Although you can’t completely predict which questions will be asked during an interview, you can prepare yourself for some of the most common. This ensures that you will have a well-formulated response on standby and limits the odds of something catching you off guard. This especially important for tricky questions like “What’s your biggest weakness?” or “What are your salary expectations?”
Going through this list of the 10 most commonly asked interview questions from Monster will show you exactly what to prepare responses for.
Work on Your Body Language
Like it or not, the way you move and your subtle actions can also play a big part in the impression you make. That’s why you should strive to learn correct body language before an interview. Some general tips include:
- Giving a firm but not overly aggressive handshake
- Maintaining eye contact without staring
- Not being jittery by moving your hands or legs excessively
- Smiling
By putting in adequate preparation before arriving at an interview, you’ve got nothing to worry about and can move through it with confidence. This will help you put your best foot forward and make a positive first impression.
There’s some fierce competition these days. Learn more on how to succeed with your job search by reading our blog or reaching our to our experienced GA staffing professionals at Encadria Staffing Solutions.