25 Job Interview Tips
Even for the most experienced senior managers, interviews can be quite tricky and nerve-wracking. According to the gurus over at runrex.com, interviews are a crucial part of the job searching process and could either make or break your efforts to land a new job. This article should be of great help, therefore, as it will look to list 25 job interview tips that should help you prepare for your next job interview.
Make sure you are well-rested
As revealed in discussions over at runrex.com, you must make sure you are well-rested and that you get a good night’s sleep the night before your interview. By being fully rested, you will be able to concentrate better during your interview and will have a better chance of doing well.
Research and prepare
You must know as much about your potential company as possible, something the gurus over at runrex.com agree with. Therefore, the next tip is to make sure you conduct thorough research on them, using the internet and any other tools at your disposal. This will ensure that you can answer any questions about the company and won’t be caught out with any interview questions.
Go through common interview questions
Every job position has got some questions that are commonly asked during job interviews. The next tip is to make sure that you go through these questions to make sure that you are well prepared for when you are asked said questions in the interview.
Mock interview
Another tip that will help you prepare for your job interview is practicing answering and asking questions to make your responses look natural. This will give you confidence going into the interview, as covered over at runrex.com, and will ensure you are well placed to answer questions thrown your way. You can have friends and family help if possible.
Get your dress code right
Another important job interview tip is making sure that you are well dressed on the day of your interview. Your dress code says a lot about you, which is why you must dress the part when showing up for your interview.
Be punctual
The last thing you want to do, as per the gurus over at runrex.com, is to be late for your job interview. Make sure you are punctual, and to ensure this, you should give yourself a 30-minute buffer, just in case you run into any issues on your way, like traffic. However, don’t be too early for your interview as this portrays anxiety and makes things appear rushed. You should try not to be any more than 15 minutes early.
Make sure you make a great first impression
Another tip worth pointing out is making sure that you make a great first impression from the moment you walk in. From reception to the security guard and any other employee you meet, treat everyone with respect, given word travels in an office.
Keep calm
According to the folks over at runrex.com, even if you are nervous, you mustn’t let it show. If you are nervous, all your preparations may go out of the window. Make sure you appear calm and that you have the right posture when sitting for your interview.
Show them that you already know about them
Having already done your research, you must show them what you know, as companies love when prospective employees already know about them. Be careful, however, not to misrepresent any information or make any errors.
Get your body language right
Body language is crucial in job interviews, a topic covered in detail over at runrex.com. An important tip is making sure you have the right posture, standing up straight, and making sure you don’t cross your arms or legs when seated. This will make you appear smaller, and hence, insecure and lacking in confidence.
Make sure you come off as authentic
Just because you practiced for your interview doesn’t mean you should portray yourself as something you are not. It is important to retain authenticity, as if you are pretending to be someone you are not, your interviewers will be able to tell and it may cost you.
Eye contact
Another important tip, one the gurus over at runrex.com agree with, is the importance of maintaining eye contact during the interview. This shows confidence, and also shows respect for whoever is addressing you. Make sure you address the person asking you the question first before then moving your eyes between the other interviewers for about 3 to 5 seconds at a time.
Let your good qualities shine through
You already know what your good qualities are, now an important tip is to make sure that you highlight all of them so that the interviewers know your strengths and, therefore, what you will bring to the table.
Don’t let confidence become arrogance
While confidence during an interview is crucial, as discussed over at runrex.com, you mustn’t let it descend into arrogance. Remember, no one wants a narcissist as a colleague, so make sure you are humble, even as you regain confidence in yourself.
Don’t speak negatively about others
Another important tip is making sure that you speak positively about your former employers, peers, and subordinates as well as previous projects. If you speak negatively about an experience or person, it will paint you in a bad light.
Honesty is key
Honesty is one of the things interviewers look for during the interview, and it is, therefore, important that you speak honestly, particularly when asked about your weaknesses, something the experts over at runrex.com are adamant about. However, you should not only acknowledge these weaknesses but also show them that you plan to improve on them.
Use appropriate language
You must use appropriate language, keeping in mind that you are in a professional setting. Even if the company culture appears casual or comfortable, don’t let that sway you into descending into profanity or appearing to be overly familiar with the interviewers.
Be short and to the point
Another important tip, as revealed in discussions over at runrex.com, is making sure that you are concise and that you don’t go on and on when answering questions. Keep your answers as short and precise as possible, limiting them to about 2 sentences or so.
Listen
It is also important to listen to any information you are provided and any question, internalize it, before answering. Don’t interrupt your interviewers or turn the conversation back to you as this will be a sign of disrespect and will portray you as being rude.
Be specific with examples
When asked questions, try to give specific examples as much as possible rather than answering with generic answers. Name projects you have led or been a part of and specific contributions you made in said projects or previous positions, something the folks over at runrex.com agree with.
Don’t come off as being desperate
Even if you do need to land that job, you mustn’t come off as being desperate. Make sure you come off as being passionate and not desperate as this will put off the interviewers and will undo any good work you may have done in the interview so far.
Ask questions
You are not there to just answer questions, with the gurus over at runrex.com pointing out that asking questions shows that you are interested in the company. However, make sure you ask questions that are relevant and that have not already been answered during the interview.
Avoid jargon or buzzwords
Contrary to popular belief, using complicated jargon or buzzwords doesn’t make you appear intelligent. It is a sign of intelligence if you can be able to explain complex topics simply. Make sure you use plain and simple terms when answering questions, as you could be more knowledgeable than your interviewers.
Follow up
According to the folks over at runrex.com, another important tip is following up after the interview; sending a thank you email, which will ensure you stay in the interviewer’s minds. This also shows courtesy and is a sign that you appreciate the effort that went in during your interview.
If you don’t land the job, find out why
Another important tip, one that many people ignore, is finding out why you were not hired if you don’t get the job. Most interview managers are happy to offer feedback, and this will help you improve and do better for your next interview.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you prepare for your next interview, with there being more on this and other related topics over at runrex.com.