You have your job interview scheduled—congratulations! Now it’s time to prepare, and we’ve got you covered. In this article, we provide an overview of how to succeed in an interview along with a detailed discussion surrounding each point.
Before the interview
In the days before your job interview, set aside time to do the following:
1. Research the company and interviewers
2. Practice your answers to common interview questions
3. Reread the job description
4. Use the STAR method in answering questions
5. Recruit a friend to practice answering questions
6. Prepare a list of references
7. Be prepared with examples of your work
8. Prepare smart questions for your interviewers
9. Plan your interview attire the night before
10. Bring resume copies, a notebook and a pen
11. Plan your schedule to arrive 10–15 minutes early
12. Make a great first impression
13. Treat everyone you encounter with respect
14. Practice good manners and body language
15. Win them over with authenticity and positivity
16. Respond truthfully to the questions asked
17. Tie your answers to your skills and accomplishments
18. Keep your answers concise and focused
19. Do not speak negatively about previous employers
20. Ask about next steps
21. Send a thank you letter after the interview
TOP 24 MOST COMMON INTERVIEW MISTAKES TO AVOID
- Dressing inappropriately.
- Arriving Late
- Using your phone during the interview.
- Not showing enough interest or enthusiasm.
- Failing to remember what you wrote on your own resume.
- Failing to make a strong case for why you are the best person for this job.
- Leaving your cell phone on.
- Not being prepared to answer questions.
- Inquiring about benefits too soon.
- Being unable to explain how your strengths and abilities apply to the job in question.
- Not paying attention.
- Not knowing anything about the company.
- Lying about your skills, experience and/or knowledge.
- Talking about salary requirements too soon.
- Failing to listen to what the interviewer is saying.
- Being unprepared to answer the standard questions.
- Appearing too nervous, or too confident.
- Saying “you know,” “like,” “um,” and “I guess.”
- Forgetting the name of the interviewer.
- Bad-mouthing past employers.
- Complaining that you were kept waiting.
- Sounding rehearsed.
- Over-explaining why you lost your last job.
- Failing to ask for the job.
- Can you tell me about yourself?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work here?
- Why are you leaving your current job? or Why did you leave your previous job?
- What do you know about our company?
- What are your salary requirements?
- What are your goals? or Where do you see yourself in five years time?
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