How Best to Handle a Job Interview
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Career Tips - September 20, 2021

How Best to Handle a Job Interview

These tips will help you to excel at your next job interview

Going for a job interview is often considered an arduous task. However, with the right approach, you will realise that interviews can be quite easy. Whether you are a contractor or job seeker, here are some steps that may assist you in achieving success with interviews and get you on the path of securing the job or contract.

  1. Interview Yourself
  2. Conduct Due Research
  3. Know Your Role
  4. Dress Appropriately
  5. Be Punctual
  6. Keep Yourself Occupied While You Wait
  7. Be Calm and Confident
  8. Use Turnaround Technique
  9. Maintain Healthy Body Position
  10. Imitate The Interviewer
  11. After The Interview
  12. Have A Very Strong Close

 Interview Yourself

Get possible interview questions relating to your job, there are alot of them online in various field. Ask yourself these questions and answer them, both psychologically and physically. Consider the following possible common interview questions:

  • Tell me about yourself?
  • How much do you know about our business?
  • Why are you interested in working here?
  • Why do you believe you’re the best candidate for this position?
  • Discuss your previous employment.
  • What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
  • Where do you envision yourself in five years?

Conduct Due Research

Conduct due research on the business or the company you are willing to work for. It is critical to conduct prior research and stay current on their current situation and news. Being aware of the vision and mission. They may ask you a variety of business-related questions.

READ THIS: Successful Entrepreneurs are Doers, not Dreamers; Tony Elumelu Knows this

Know Your Role

Having a firm grasp on the role/job for which you’re applying before the interview, attempt to match the job description’s skills and requirements to your own. It will be simpler to explain to the interviewer why you are interested in this position and why you should be chosen.

Dress Appropriately

Your appearance will form the interviewer’s first impression. The initial impression must always be favorable. It is critical to dress appropriately (inappropriate clothing includes broken pants, miniskirts, and shiny heels). Keep your hair away from your face. Avoid wearing excessive makeup, which can be interpreted as a sign of insecurity and lack of transparency. Always keep your hands and nails clean.

Be Punctual

The ideal time to arrive is 10-15 minutes before. Neither arrive too early or arrive late; if you arrive too early, the interviewer may believe you have no other job, which may work against you later in salary negotiations. If you arrive late, that’s already a bad signal and you may be turned back immediately.

Keep Yourself Occupied While You Wait

Keeping yourself occupied while you wait works like magic. Once you’ve arrived (the ideal time to arrive is 10-15 minutes before), take a serious tone but maintain a smile and an attitude of kindness. While you wait, you could read the newspaper, you could have music on your ear phone, or read a magazine. You have to be occupied while you wait. Especially listening to your favorite music while you wait, it works like magic.

Be Calm and Confident

Maintain a calm and confident demeanor throughout the interview. Connect your responses to the company’s or interviewer’s current challenges. Always demonstrate an interest in your responses and questions.

Use Turnaround Technique

You can impress the interviewer and gain confidence by employing the “turnaround technique”: By reversing the question, you can buy time. For instance, you might be told: “We require an exceptional candidate for this position, and I see nothing extraordinary in your Curriculum Vitae” Your turnaround response would be, “Can you tell me what makes this job so exceptional that only the most esoteric of skills are required?”.

Maintain Healthy Body Position

Gestures can assist you in illustrating your speech. Relaxed gestures are critical to avoid phrases such as “eh,” “no?” Alternatively, “mmm.” Avoid touching your hair, rubbing your hands together, or touching your face. Do not make yourself loook small (do not sit with your arms closed to the body and your legs crossed).

Imitate The Interviewer

Be a mirror and imitate the interviewer’s movements. For instance, if he/she places his hands on his lap and slightly tilts his head to one side, repeat the action but wait approximately two seconds. This brief detail establishes a stronger connection between the two.

After The Interview

Before you leave, gain an understanding of what will occur next. Inquire of them to better understand the process and anticipate.

Have A Very Strong Close

Have a strong close at the end. “I am extremely interested in this position, and I would like to express my gratitude for your time and insight today.” This demonstrates your desire for more.

If you believe the interview went well and you believe you may be the chosen candidate, it is always a good idea to send them an e-mail reiterating the points you made and any additional information that may have come to light since that time.


This article first appeared HERE.

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