How to Get Ready for the Job Interview

Once you find a job you are interested in, the interview is your chance to impress those who have the power to hire you. Come across too strong and you look arrogant. If you are too weak you look like you lack confidence. These tips will help you prepare to impress but not overwhelm and get the job you want.

Instructions

1




Dress appropriately for the interview. Always dress in professional attire even if the job is a blue collar job. The fact that you took the time to make yourself presentable will impress the people interviewing you. If the actual job attire is casual, you can be less formal after you get the job.

2




When you greet the interviewer, look the person in the eye. Be friendly and confident during this first impression so remember to smile. If the interviewer extends their hand, provide a nice handshake that is firm and confident. If your hands tend to get clammy and moist under stress, wipe your hands before meeting the interviewer.

3




Be confident in yourself, but not arrogant. Act as if this is your job to get and that after the interview, you will be offered the job because there is no better candidate. But be careful here. If you overdo this, you can come off looking and sounding arrogant which might not appeal to the interviewer.

4




Have a copy of your resume with you when you enter the interview. The interviewer may refer to something on your resume and if you don't remember what you wrote, you can use your copy as a reference. Also have a copy of the application you filled out so you can use that as a reference, too.

5

Do your homework on the company. Learn as much about the company as possible. Visit their website, talk to current and former employees, and read anything that you can find. Be prepared for the question, "What do you know about our company?" For example, in one interview I mentioned how the company was growing over the past several years and planned to add more stores in the city where I lived.

6

Practice answering interview questions. There are books that cover this and have suggested ways to answer. Get one of these books and go through the different questions and how you can answer them. The Internet is also filled with sites which will guide you through the possible questions you'll be asked. When you answer a question, demonstrate how your skills will benefit the company you want to work with.

7

When the interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions?", don't answer with "How much will I get paid?". This makes you sound as if you are just interested in the money. Ask questions about the company, such as, "How is the company adjusting to the economic downturn that is affecting the rest of the country?" Have 2-3 questions that show you are truly interesting in the company.

8




After the interview is over, confidently shake hands with the interviewer, smile and leave. When you get home, write a short thank you note and send it off that day. Courtesy still goes a long way in today's society.