Attending a job interview can be both stressful and nerve-wracking. However, with the correct preparation and some forward-thinking about how to dress and behave, the experience can be easy, and even enjoyable. Being successful at a job interview is about impressing the interviewer, and demonstrating how you will fit suitably into the workforce at the company in question. Interviewing well doesn’t involve complicated or intellectual preparations; in fact, most of it is common sense.
When preparing for a job interview, it is imperative to research the company with whom you are hoping to secure the job. It is likely that your interviewer will ask questions to test your awareness and understanding of the company. If you have acquired knowledge by this point, you will find it substantially more easy to answer such questions and to connect with the interviewer on a higher level. Having a thorough look around the company’s website, and also searching for them online, using Google for example, are just two possible ways of finding information about them (Giordano, 2011). This type of preparation will make you feel more confident as you walk into the interview.
Clothing choice is another matter best prepared for in advance. If you are unsure then it is preferable to overdress rather than underdress (Crisante, 2011). The simplest way of ensuring you are dressed appropriately is to telephone the company in advance and ask the receptionist what the dress code is. However, even if you discover that the dress code for the company is very casual, it is sensible and professional to dress smartly, and to wear clean shoes (Crisante, 2011). It is vital that you arrive for your interview in plenty of time; being late will give a bad first impression to the interviewer, and they are unlikely to move past this impression. A good rule is to be around ten to fifteen minutes early. Also, be sure to remember the interviewer’s name and to use it as you meet and speak with them.
Once the introductions are over and the interview begins, it is important that you behave as appropriately as you dress. You should aim to appear enthusiastic, but you should be mindful of allowing your interviewer to set the tone. The interviewer, for example, might not greet you by shaking hands, but if they do you must be prepared to shake hands without looking awkward or surprised. Try to gauge the mannerisms of you interviewer, and then replicate the basics. For example, if your interviewer speaks loudly and directly, be extra careful not to mumble or speak too quietly (Crisante, 2011). Perhaps one of the most effective ways of making that vital good impression at interview is by remaining calm. Developing a rapport with your interviewer can be highly beneficial. Try to keep a good level of eye contact and listen actively to what your interviewer is saying. Never give your interviewer reason to think you are negative or standoffish; for example, do not cross your arms and do not look around the room when the interview is speaking.
A job interview is little more than a conversation with a person who represents the company that you want to work for. In order to be successful, it is important to prepare for all aspects of the interview, enough in advance. Arriving in a flustered state, in inappropriate clothing, is sure to start the interview off poorly. However, with some preparation and forward-planning, your job interview can be a success and could lead you to your dream job.
Works Cited
Crisante, D. “Nail That Interview.” Career FAQs. 2011. Web. 4 July 2011.
Giordano, L. “The Ultimate Guide to Job Interview Preparation.” Quint Careers. 2011. Web.
4 July 2011. http://www.quintcareers.com/job_interview_preparation.html
