Having an impressive resume is only a great start. Employers use resumes to screen candidates’ qualifications and decide who they will bring in to interview.
Interviews can make or break your chance of getting the job you want. The success of your interview is determined not only by your answers to the hiring manager’s questions but also if you can avoid making these mistakes that will cost your chance to get hired.
Top 5 Job Interview Do’s
1. Dress the part.
First impressions leave strong impact. Make sure that your clothing fits well, is neatly pressed and is appropriate for the work environment. Note that you are marketing yourself to a potential employer, and the first thing your employer sees is what you’re wearing.
2. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake.
Greet your future employer with a firm handshake and a warm smile. Sit up straight and slightly lean forward during the interview.
3. Be prepared.
Do your research about the company you’re applying for, the people interviewing you, and the specifics of the position you’re applying for. It’s more than just visiting the company website. Reference a project done by the company that you know of during the interview to show that you know your stuff.
4. Listen carefully to each question.
Understand the question before jumping in with your response. Ask for clarification if you are unsure of what the interviewer is getting at.
5. Be on time.
On the day of your interview, plan to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early. Arriving late for a job interview is never an excuse. However, if there are circumstances that will make you late for your schedule, do call the hiring manager to let them know that you’ll be late and tell them your estimated time of arrival. On the other hand, if you arrive more than 15 minutes early, wait until 10 minutes before the interview to present yourself to the person who will be interviewing you.
Top 5 Job Interview Don’ts
1. Assume that a job interview means that you’ll get the job.
There’s nothing wrong with being confident when you meet with the hiring manager but don’t assume that a job offer is “in the bag” once you were invited. That’s a wrong and a big mistake. The hiring manager might get annoyed and see you in a negative light.
2. Lie on your resume or in an interview.
Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if you get caught in a lie? Being dishonest on your resume will surely be obvious during the interview. There’s a big difference between using exciting words to accentuate your resume and outright putting false information. During an interview, you will be asked to back the information you put on your resume. Providing false or embellished details that show forth will not suit you as this might even be a ground for termination.
3. Be pushy about salary.
It takes experience to know when the perfect time to negotiate your salary is. Only bring up salary, benefits, vacation time, or bonuses until after you have received a job offer.
4. Talk too much.
It’s really easy to ramble on about your previous job. This can be particularly challenging especially when you excelled at it. Keep your answers brief but informative. Talking too much is a sign of nerves but it can also offer too much information that could have waited for another conversation with your interviewer.
5. Be negative.
There will be questions during the interview that will allow you to vent about a previous job or harshly criticize yourself or your colleagues. Your reactions to these questions may become a deal-breaker to the interviewer. Maintain a positive tone and acknowledge negatives but turn them into positives and show them in a light that is an opportunity for growth and enrichment.
There are a lot more things you should remember for your next job interview, but the items in the article are just some of the basics. Keep a sharp eye on these traits. This could mean the difference and put you on that shortlist of candidates they might consider hiring or being passed over for another candidate.
What other tips would you add to this list?
Image source: http://bit.ly/2x6j4C0
