Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Prepare yourself
• Method 2 of 3: Have a good conversation
• Method 3 of 3: Avoid common mistakes
• Tips

An interview is sometimes your only chance to make a good first impression and sell yourself as a suitable candidate for a job. Taking the time and effort to prepare for the interview can be decisive in whether or not you make it to the next round or get the job. Learn how to plan your success, approach the interview the right way, and avoid common mistakes during job interviews. This way you have the greatest chance of making a fresh start.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Prepare yourself

1. Research the company in advance. You will come across as a serious candidate if you come to the interview with some background knowledge about the company and the direction the company is heading. Find out the goals of the company or organization you are applying to to get a sense of their style and how they differentiate themselves from their competitors.
   • Concentrate on using terms and jargon found on the company website. If you are applying for a job as an employee in the service of a restaurant that uses organic local produce, you need to know what that means. If you are applying for the position of editor at a holistic journal, you should research holistic health care and what it entails.
   • Knowing the name of the person you are talking to, as well as that person's position and duties within the organization, can help you have a better conversation with more input. This often gives the other person a more positive impression of you as a candidate.
2. Think about which questions are often asked during job interviews and prepare your answers in advance. The most stressful part of an interview is figuring out how to answer the questions you are asked. What exactly does the person you are talking to want to hear? Do some research ahead of time and think about what questions might be asked. This way you can practice your answers in advance. Come up with answers that are sincere, but that still paint a positive image of you as a candidate. Frequently asked questions during job interviews include:
   • What do you know about this company?
   • Why do you fit in well with this company?
   • What knowledge, skills and characteristics can you bring to a team?
   • Describe an obstacle you have ever overcome on the job.
3. Think of good strengths and weaknesses. What is the most difficult challenge for you at work? What is your greatest strength? Your biggest weakness? These are some of the most frequently asked questions during job interviews and during the interview you really don't want to have to think about proper answers to these questions. These questions are asked at almost every job interview.
   • When asked about your strengths, it sometimes means that you have to formulate your answer as a form of your own fame. A good answer is the following: `` When it comes to my duties and my schedule, I work in a very orderly manner, but you could never suspect this if you saw my desk. '' Another good answer is, `` I take on certain responsibilities , but I sometimes forget to ask questions when I need help. ”This is an honest and effective answer.
   • When applying for a managerial position, it is important to emphasize your managerial abilities and your independence. A good strength could be: `` I am good at communicating my vision to other people and making others enthusiastic about a common goal. '' A good weakness could be: and working on only one project at a time. Sometimes I want to do too much at once.
   • If you apply for a starter position, you will not be asked during the interview to prove your leadership skills. A good strength could be: "I am very good at following directions and I learn quickly. If I don't know how to do something, I would like to learn and improve myself so that I don't have to ask twice. "A good weakness could be:" I'm not always the person with the best ideas. , but I like to help other people implement their ideas. '
4. Think of questions you would like to ask yourself. During or after a job interview you are often asked if you have any questions yourself. This is often unexpected for many people who are interviewing for the first time. Asking a question shows that you are joining the conversation and interested. So think about a number of questions you could ask in advance so that you are well prepared if you are asked about this and you cannot come up with a question quickly. Good questions include:
   • What do you think about working here?
   • What does someone need to bring to be successful within the company?
   • Which people will I deal with most in this position?
   • What does a typical working day look like?
   • In what ways can I grow within the company?
   • How long on average does someone work in this position?
5. Avoid clichés. During a job interview, a potential employer tries to get to know you. It is therefore important that you are yourself and not show an overly cliché version of yourself providing standard answers for trying to get a job. The purpose of an interview is not to talk to someone else, show how great you are, or tell the person you're interviewing with exactly what he or she wants to hear. The goal is to provide honest answers and not to offend the other person's intelligence. Avoid statements like "My only weakness is that I am a perfectionist" or "This company needs someone like me to be successful."
6. Make sure you have all the necessary documents ready in advance. Depending on how the application process goes, you may need to bring your resume, references, a portfolio of your work and a cover letter, if applicable. Read all documents and correct errors in your spelling and grammar. If you have the time, you can also give the documents to someone else who will check them for you. Another person may see the stupid mistakes that you yourself have overlooked.
   • It is also important that you know exactly what information you have described in your resume and in other documents that you used in your application.It can arouse suspicion if you have trouble remembering certain information from your resume. So make sure you have all the names, dates and the activities described by you well in mind.
7. Dress appropriately. Choose an outfit that makes you look professional and feel comfortable. Make sure your clothing is appropriate for the company you are applying for.
   • In most cases, a dark-colored suit is suitable for an interview, unless you are interviewing for a job at a company that dresses very informally. In that case, dress pants and a clean shirt with a collar are appropriate.

Method 2 of 3: Have a good conversation

1. Be on time. Nothing makes a worse impression than being late for an interview. Arrive at the right time and be ready for the interview. If your interview is in a place where you are not known, drive there the day before. This way you avoid being late for your job interview because you were lost. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes earlier than the time the interview is scheduled and make sure you are not even earlier.
   • It is important that you arrive on time, but arriving too early can cause frustration for potential employers. If you were asked to come at a certain time, it means that they want to see you at that time and not half an hour earlier. Follow all instructions exactly if you want to make a good impression.
   • Make sure to stay busy while you wait. Make notes or reread the job description and company information. Keep all documents and materials in your left hand so that you can easily get up and immediately shake hands with the interviewer when he or she comes to greet you.
2. Practice power posing right before entering the interview to help you feel good. Go to the toilet or somewhere else privately five minutes before your interview starts. Look in the mirror and stand up straight with your shoulders back, feet hip-width apart and your hands on your hips. Then hold that pose for a minute or two. This can have a mental and even physical effect that makes you feel more powerful and confident.
   • Try to combine this with a positive affirmation, such as, "I am qualified for this position and I just need to show them that!"
   EXPERT TIP

   Be yourself. During a job interview, you are likely to be nervous and want to do the best you can. It is without a doubt a scary situation, but try to remember that you don't have to pretend otherwise to be offered a job. You just have to be yourself. Concentrate on staying calm and monitor the conversation closely. Be yourself.

   • The person you have the conversation with expects you to be nervous. You can just name this and don't have to worry about it. This can take some pressure off the kettle and you can get to know the interviewer better. This can make you stand out from the other candidates. Don't be afraid to have a chat.
3. Listen carefully and pay close attention. One of the worst things you can do during a job interview is to ask the interviewer to repeat a question because you are not paying attention. Don't ruin it for yourself by letting your mind wander. Most interviews last no longer than 15 minutes and certainly never longer than about an hour. Focus on the conversation and respond actively.
4. Stay upright and keep your back straight. During an interview, lean forward and listen carefully. Adopt an open body position to show that you are interested. Watch the interviewer while you are talking and also when the other is speaking.
   • A good interview trick is to look at the bridge of your conversation partner's nose, between the eyes. He or she has no idea that you are not making eye contact and it will help you relax a bit. Try it with a friend, you will be amazed!
5. Think before you speak. Another common mistake is to talk too much and too quickly during a job interview. You really don't have to fill awkward silences by talking. This is especially true if the nerves make you talk a lot. Keep still and listen. Don't tell too much about yourself.
   • When the other person asks you a question, you do not have to have an answer ready. It can even come across as negative to the other person because it seems like you haven't thought about a complicated question at all. Think quietly first. Wait a minute and then say "That's a good question. I have to think about a good answer. "
6. Be willing to do whatever you are asked to do. During a job interview, your default answer should be "Yes". Are you willing to work evenings and weekends? Yes. Are you happy to work with multiple clients? Yes. Do you have experience working in a fast-paced, busy environment? Yes. Most jobs require you to be trained thoroughly so that you master important skills to perform your day-to-day tasks. This gives you the opportunity to learn things that you are not yet familiar with after you have been hired. Don't write yourself off immediately. Cooperate and discuss the details after you get the job.
   • Don't lie about things. Being willing to do the things necessary for the position does not mean that you have to spruce up your work experience or tell lies that will get you through the basket on your first day at work. If you've never cooked a meal before, don't tell the head of the kitchen that you're a good cook.
7. Sell ​​yourself during the conversation. The purpose of an interview is generally to get to know an applicant personally. Your potential employer has your resume, your work experience and your most important information on paper. They just don't know you yet.
   • An interview is not an interrogation or a debate. It's a conversation. So make sure you have input yourself. Pay close attention to when the person you are talking to is speaking and listen carefully to what he or she is saying. Answer questions honestly. Some people are taken by surprise when the interviewer does not immediately start asking a series of questions such as a questionnaire.
8. Make notes. Bring a pen and paper in your folder or briefcase for quick notes should you need to. You can also bring extra copies of any documents you used to apply (such as your resume and cover letter) and a list of questions to ask if needed.
   • Taking notes makes you appear like someone who is paying close attention, interested, and is well organized. It helps you remember important details and names. This can be useful later during the conversation or when you call the company after the conversation. Make sure to take short notes only when necessary. Taking too many notes can be distracting.
9. Contact us at the end of the conversation. It is usually a good idea to contact the company shortly after you have an interview so that your name is not forgotten. Call or send an e-mail after the conversation, unless you have been explicitly asked not to. Calling is often discouraged, but emailing or any other form of contact is a good idea.
   • Summarize important points of the conversation, using your notes to refresh your memory. Make sure to thank the interviewer for the conversation and say you look forward to hearing from the company soon.

Method 3 of 3: Avoid common mistakes

1. Do not bring coffee to your job interview. For some reason, many people think that bringing a cup of takeaway coffee to a job interview is a good idea. At the very least, this gives an unprepared impression and, at worst, can even be seen as disrespectful. You are not on a lunch break, so treat yourself to coffee after the conversation and not before. Even if the conversation takes place early in the day or you may have to wait a long time in advance, do not bring coffee. The advantage is that you don't have to worry about spilling coffee.
2. Turn off your phone and put it away. The biggest social rule violation in the mobile age? Using your mobile phone during a job interview. Never take out your phone to check it during an interview. If your interviewer was in charge, you were a troglodyte who never heard of apps. Turn off your phone completely, put it in your car, and never give the person you're talking to the impression that a text message is more important than getting this job.
3. Don't talk about money. During a first interview, it is not appropriate to ask about fringe benefits or the possibilities of salary increases, or even to bring up money. When applying for a job, you should focus on your skills and degrees.
   • Sometimes you will be asked what minimum you would like to earn. The best answer to this question is that you are willing to work for the minimum average salary for the position. Explain that you really want the job and that you are satisfied with what you are offered, even if it is the minimum wage.
4. Think of your interview as a real interview rather than an interview. Never take a defensive attitude during a job interview, even if you feel that you don't get along well with the interviewer. It's supposed to be a conversation, so try to see the best in the other. No one is deliberately trying to work against you. Think of it as an opportunity to prove yourself and come up with a good reason, rather than making a thorny comment.
5. Don't say negative things about your previous boss. Don't make annoying, insignificant comments about colleagues or supervisors at your old job, or about jobs you've ever held. Even if you apply to the competitor, you should avoid portraying yourself as someone with a negative trait or someone who is difficult to work with. It is rude to complain about your previous job.
   • If you are asked why you want to quit your current job, please provide a positive reason. "I just want to get more out of my work and look forward to making a fresh start." This seems like a good company to be able to do that. "
6. Do not smoke cigarettes before your job interview or drink alcohol. Even if you are only an occasional smoker, don't smoke before you have an interview. A recent survey found that 90% of employers would choose a non-smoker over a smoker, even though both candidates have the same degrees and work experience. Whether this is right or wrong, smoking makes you appear nervous.
   • In addition, you should never drink a few glasses of liquor before your conversation to calm your nerves. You want to be sharp and at your best, instead of half-baked. You are expected to be nervous. After all, it is a job interview.
7. Don't be afraid to show who you really are. Billionaire businessman Richard Branson claims that he hires people primarily based on their personality, rather than work experience or demonstrable skills. Every job is different and the most important tasks of a position can be learned. Concentrate on selling yourself and show who you really are. Don't try to pretend you are.

Tips

• Make sure you maintain eye contact with the person you're talking to and answer confidently.
• Call the company if you have not heard anything after the time frame mentioned by the interviewer has passed.
• If you were not selected for the job, ask for the reasons why they chose another applicant instead of you. This information can help you succeed in conversations that are yet to come.