6 WAYS TO IMPRESS DURING A JOB INTERVIEW

6 WAYS TO IMPRESS DURING A JOB INTERVIEW

You’ve got the brains, you’ve got the experience, you’ve got the academic qualifications, but your landing of that ideal job now rests on how well you do during the oral interview.

A lot of candidates have made avoidable mistakes during the oral interview that end up costing them a job. There is a reason why employees put so much stock in how you come across during an interview. It gives them an idea of your personality and how well you will fit into the organisation. They know you are qualified and experienced, what they want to know now is if you can defend this and what your personality is truly like.

So, let us take a look at simple tips to help you come across in a positive life when meeting your prospective employer for the first time.

Dress to Impress: You cannot underestimate the power of being well dressed when it comes to how you look during the interview. You should look simple, yet cooperate. You should dress decently, avoid flashy colors and focus on looking well put together. You should look so well dressed that you automatically earn the respect of everyone who takes a look at you. It does not matter if you previously heard that it is a casual working environment, be professional on your first visit, and when you are sure, you can then decide to be a bit more casual in subsequent visits.

Be Confident: If you start acting nervous, sweating or stammering at your first meeting with your employer, he/she automatically assumes you are incompetent. The way you carry yourself will let them know how to treat you. Never doubt yourself. The reason they want to meet with you is because they believe you qualify to a certain extent, so there is no reason to fear. Be confident, but not cocky. Being over-confident will reflect negatively on you. No matter how much qualifications you have, if you come off as if you feel you are too big for the company or your prospective employer, you will most likely not get the job. No one likes a snob.

Come Prepared: Find as much as you can about the organisation before the one-on-one meeting. Even if you have just been invited for the interview the day before, still make sure find out what you can in the given time. It is better to know a little than to know nothing at all. Being prepared lets your interviewer know that you take this meeting seriously and you will take the job seriously. It lets them know that you are thorough and you really want the position you are applying for. It also helps you feel more confident since you know one subject matter you have in common with your prospective employer.

Do not sound rehearsed: The internet is full of countless tips and advice on how to answer interview questions, but cramming up all these information and then throwing them all out at your prospective boss will make you sound over-rehearsed. They want to know you, your ideas, your beliefs, your policies, and as soon as you just cram and regurgitate your answers, you come off as fake. Trust us, an interviewer knows when your answers seem rehearsed and this will cause them to be distrusting of you.

Avoid being overeager: Yes, you want this job. You know it, your prospective employers knows it. You would not agree to a meeting if you didn’t. But you should remember that working for someone for pay is not slavery. Choosing to hire you means they need you almost as much as you need them. Do not be so overeager that you make them feel they are doing you a favour. Believe in your worth and do not be afraid to speak up. If you have terms that of employment that need to be addressed, do not be afraid to bring them up. Your prospective employer will respect your guts and this might be something that will set you apart from other potential candidates.

Ask questions: When your interviewer is done asking the questions, make sure you take advantage of your own turn to ask some too. This is where being prepared is absolutely important. While finding out about the organisation, jot down some questions you might have and bring them up during the meeting. Listen intently to their answers and let them know you understand. This shows you care about where you will be working even though you have not been employed yet.