Interview tips for all candidates. Whether you are an executive or a student or an entry level candidate.
Do – interview tips
- Always be on time, this will create a good impression about you.
- If your job demands then wear a formal dress code for the interview.
- Give a firm handshake.
- Be polite but be confident.
- Ask relevant questions but keep away from stupid questions.
- Answer questions concisely.
- Use specific examples to illustrate points.
- Don’t read from you resume.
- Send a “Thank you” letter or email to the interviewer after your interview.
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Don’t – interview tips
- Try to control the interview because it will be negative for you
- Bring up salary or benefits
- Be too serious or nervous
- Let your discouragement show
- Look at your watch or the clock repeatedly
- Act over smart
- Show your frustration over a question
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Below are some frequently asked questions and tips on answering them:
“Tell me about yourself”
Briefly describe your professional experience and background. The interviewer is looking to learn about who you are in the context of work.
So answering this gives the interviewer insight into how you may fit into the organization.
But don’t talk about personal information, such as marriage status, children, etc.
So if you are unsure what information the interviewer is interested in, you could ask, “Are there any areas in particular you’d like to know about?”
“What is your biggest weakness?”
Choose something that is not a major flaw or negative characteristic – you don’t want to shock the interviewer or make them think you are not a good candidate for the job.
Most importantly, don’t just say something negative about yourself and leave it at that – turn it into a positive!
Describe how you were able to overcome this weakness and a positive way the situation turned out.
But, show that you have grown as a person, and how that slightly negative characteristic is now a positive attribute that you can bring to this new position. So, whenever possible, use specific situations from your previous job to illustrate your point.
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“What is your biggest strength?”
This is not an opportunity to brag. Instead, you need to describe why you are the best person for the job.
So give a specific example of your strength, what it has helped you accomplish in past work roles, and how it will be beneficial to your performance if you get this job.
But keep the answer concise and don’t make it boring.
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“Where do you hope to be five years from now?”
Bottom line, the interviewer wants to know that you want to work for them.
They don’t want to hear that you plan on going to another company or field of work.
But even if you do plan on keeping your options open, this may turn the interviewer off.
Instead, focus your answer on new skills you hope to learn and master, and how you plan to use them in order to benefit the business’ goals.
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“What is your greatest accomplishment?”
Be sure to give specific examples from previous jobs, such saving the company money, helping increase profits, completing an important project, etc.
So, try to use numbers to quantify your answer whenever possible.
This gives the interviewer a better understanding of this accomplishment.
If you just graduated from college, describe an accomplishment from your school work, part-time job, internship or extra – curricular activities.
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“Why do you want to work for this company?”
This is where your research on the company will be helpful.
So perhaps they are innovative in a specific field and that is what makes you want to join the team?
What are their goals, and how can your skills and past experiences help achieve them?
But give specific reasons, don’t speak in generalities.
Be sure to also review our “Behavioral Interviewing”.
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Conclusion
Yes, it is better to prepare for an interview then to land unprepared.
You must carefully follow the tips before you attend an interview.
Always be ready to get an unprepared question but be confident to say a polite “No” rather than answering wrong.