Best way to prepare for a job interview?
- Thread starter Amasov
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I've never had particularly difficult interviews, so I don't think I have much advice. I've never really done anything to prepare for them. I just like to dress nice, be confident, and try to have a good time while I'm there. I think, especially if it's just an initial interview, the most important thing is letting them know that you would be a decent person to have around.
What went bad with the interviews? Were you unprepared, or just nervous and didn't present well?
There's not too much you can do, but you can rehearse a little by making mental lists of your related experiences so you don't have to fumble too much when you're answering questions.
Also, it helps to do some 'net research on the company/business/position so you can talk about it intelligently.
There's not too much you can do, but you can rehearse a little by making mental lists of your related experiences so you don't have to fumble too much when you're answering questions.
Also, it helps to do some 'net research on the company/business/position so you can talk about it intelligently.
Remember to say this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-rVUMRBj9E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-rVUMRBj9E
I've recently went through an agonizingly long interview (1 1/2 hours). There is usually little you can do to prepare but there are always some things which can make you feel more secure and thus have an effect on the way you present yourself.
Prepare questions about the job which show your interest, learn anything there is to know about the company and the position you are being interviewed for, be comfortable with yourself (including clothes: if you're wearing a suit, make sure it's one in which you feel as much as possible at ease) and don't rehearse too much.
That said, even if you shouldn't rehearse answers, it makes sense to at least think them through. Some great advice I once received concerning the dreaded "tell us something about yourself" was to begin with the past (your education, foundation, whatever), continue with the present (what your soft and hard skills are, especially in relation to the position, etc.) and conclude with the future (where you see yourself, that you'd like to integrate yourself successfully into the team, something like that). All of this no longer than 2 to 3 minutes, if at all.
Best of luck!
Prepare questions about the job which show your interest, learn anything there is to know about the company and the position you are being interviewed for, be comfortable with yourself (including clothes: if you're wearing a suit, make sure it's one in which you feel as much as possible at ease) and don't rehearse too much.
That said, even if you shouldn't rehearse answers, it makes sense to at least think them through. Some great advice I once received concerning the dreaded "tell us something about yourself" was to begin with the past (your education, foundation, whatever), continue with the present (what your soft and hard skills are, especially in relation to the position, etc.) and conclude with the future (where you see yourself, that you'd like to integrate yourself successfully into the team, something like that). All of this no longer than 2 to 3 minutes, if at all.
Best of luck!
This really depends on the job. Dress nice, for sure, but if I were to have shown up in a suit to any of my job interviews, I would have been noticeably overdressed.
Some people Interview well others don't. I've sat on both sides and are fully aware that sometimes the the best interviewed person doesn't equate to the best person for the job. Conversely sometimes the person who is weaker in an Interview can be better for the job.
Extroverts or people with outgoing personalites can come across as more confident. Whilst Introverts or less outgoing persons don't. As they tend to be more nervous in Interviews as that personality generally dislikes being the centre of attention which an interview tends to make them.
Extroverts or people with outgoing personalites can come across as more confident. Whilst Introverts or less outgoing persons don't. As they tend to be more nervous in Interviews as that personality generally dislikes being the centre of attention which an interview tends to make them.
Snort a line, light up a doobie and chug a pint of whiskey beforehand.
I'm trying for some part-time contract work as an attorney. For some reason, people seem to think I'm capable and want to hire me. Not sure why.
I go tomorrow to interview for a likely quick job on prepping minors' compromises. Should make a few hundred if he hires me. Enough for me, as I'm fortunate--I don't need to work. Hubby is my sugar daddy.
I go tomorrow to interview for a likely quick job on prepping minors' compromises. Should make a few hundred if he hires me. Enough for me, as I'm fortunate--I don't need to work. Hubby is my sugar daddy.
Find out what you can about the company and what they job you are doing entails. This will allow you to ask relevant questions at the end, and also will allow you to look informed when they ask you what you know about the orgainisation. I'd remember a couple of key facts, or if there is something that they are particuarly proud of, mention that.
Find out exactly where you are going ahead of time and plan your journey so you won't get lost or arrive late.
Plan what clothes you are wearning ahead of time so you know they will be clean, pressed and stain-free on the day.
Think about your opening statement. You know, they always ask you why you want the job, or to say a little about yourself. For me, if I have that opening question sorted I can usaually relax.
Re-read your resume or application form. Remember what you said (what lies you told) so that you won't be caught out if they question you on it.
I know most posters above me say that you can't do much to prepare, but I think there's loads you can do.
Find out exactly where you are going ahead of time and plan your journey so you won't get lost or arrive late.
Plan what clothes you are wearning ahead of time so you know they will be clean, pressed and stain-free on the day.
Think about your opening statement. You know, they always ask you why you want the job, or to say a little about yourself. For me, if I have that opening question sorted I can usaually relax.
Re-read your resume or application form. Remember what you said (what lies you told) so that you won't be caught out if they question you on it.
I know most posters above me say that you can't do much to prepare, but I think there's loads you can do.
a good question to ask is about the climate of the workplace
it's a good way to find out whether the atmosphere is tense or laid back, how the other employees interact together, like if there's someone everyone else hates, or if they all get along
also shows the interviewer that you're interested in finding your place to fit in the workplace . . .
I don't have any actual experience bringing this question up, but it's one I'll remember for possible future interviews
it's a good way to find out whether the atmosphere is tense or laid back, how the other employees interact together, like if there's someone everyone else hates, or if they all get along
also shows the interviewer that you're interested in finding your place to fit in the workplace . . .
I don't have any actual experience bringing this question up, but it's one I'll remember for possible future interviews
I actually teach interview skills on one of the courses I run. You've had a lot of good advice in this thread already.
If I had to really boil things down, it would be:
- know what you're interviewing for
- know yourself
- practice talking about both fluently (ie in good english) in a structured format, but avoid memorising answers (use bullet points and structures as your aide-memoires instead).
- present yourself appropriately well and ensure your body language is congruent with your verbal language
- stay composed before, during and after the interview.
Good luck!
If I had to really boil things down, it would be:
- know what you're interviewing for
- know yourself
- practice talking about both fluently (ie in good english) in a structured format, but avoid memorising answers (use bullet points and structures as your aide-memoires instead).
- present yourself appropriately well and ensure your body language is congruent with your verbal language
- stay composed before, during and after the interview.
Good luck!
More than anything else, answer the questions. Take a moment to think each through if necessary, but answer the questions.
Secondly, dress appropriately. I've never interviewed for a job where it would have been too much to wear a suit and tie, but I've also interviewed for some where a button down or polo and khakis would have been OK. My Mother-in-Law has a piece of advice on this topic, and it's dead on the mark, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have."
Don't chew gum or engage in nervous habits.
If they offer you a beverage, it really is OK to oblige, but be aware that your consumption of the beverage doesn't become a nervous habit. I've had successful interviews where I've been offered water or coffee. It's not whether you take the drink or not, it's what you do with it. If they offer you alcohol, you're going to have to make a judgement call there!
Don't cross your legs. Sit with good posture.
Don't use coarse, foul, or vulgar language.
Remember that everyone you encounter from the moment you enter the building until the moment you depart is part of the interviewing process (even if they're not). Be kind to everyone you meet. I've been the appointed spy, I've been the accidental spy.
After that, it's really torn note cards and broken pencils.
Secondly, dress appropriately. I've never interviewed for a job where it would have been too much to wear a suit and tie, but I've also interviewed for some where a button down or polo and khakis would have been OK. My Mother-in-Law has a piece of advice on this topic, and it's dead on the mark, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have."
Don't chew gum or engage in nervous habits.
If they offer you a beverage, it really is OK to oblige, but be aware that your consumption of the beverage doesn't become a nervous habit. I've had successful interviews where I've been offered water or coffee. It's not whether you take the drink or not, it's what you do with it. If they offer you alcohol, you're going to have to make a judgement call there!
Don't cross your legs. Sit with good posture.
Don't use coarse, foul, or vulgar language.
Remember that everyone you encounter from the moment you enter the building until the moment you depart is part of the interviewing process (even if they're not). Be kind to everyone you meet. I've been the appointed spy, I've been the accidental spy.
After that, it's really torn note cards and broken pencils.
Ignore everything I said; follow ed's advice. Just add in a secret lapel camera & then upload to youtube. You'll probably make a fortune from the publicity and never need work again!
I interviewed for a job yesterday, and my interviewers were wearing jeans and T-shirts. A suit and tie would have definitely been way too much!
^You missed the perfect opportunity of looking better them then and making them feel their inferiority with condescending looks up and down.
And as everyone knows, the thought "This guy thinks he's better than us" is always followed by "he must be better than us! Let's hire him!"
How did the interview go?
And as everyone knows, the thought "This guy thinks he's better than us" is always followed by "he must be better than us! Let's hire him!"
How did the interview go?
Well, I wore dress pants, a button down shirt, and a sweatervest...so I still looked better than them.
Actually, the interview was hilarious. I've been looking to supplement my income, so I've been wanting to find a bartending job on the weekends. This local comedy club/piano bar is was hiring, so I applied. Turns out the club is owned by one of my former coworkers from my old bartending job! So, long story short, I was hired the second I walked in the door.
Gotta love having connections.
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