Interview tips that will help you get hired. ||Anyigbaleft

Even when you have gone for more interviews than you can count, job interviews never seem to get any easier. With each job interview, you are meeting new people and selling yourself and your skills.

Staying upbeat and enthusiastic through it all can be a challenge, especially when you are being interviewed for a job you would love to get hired for.

However, there are ways to make a job interview feel much less stressful. Just a little preparation time can go a long way. Remember, though, that a job interview is not an exam – you don’t need to study for hours on end.

Rather, you just need to do due diligence in researching the company. You need to understand exactly what they are looking for in a new recruit, and ensure that you are able to discuss your experience and what makes you a great fit for the job.

It is a good idea to focus on your communication skills in particular, so you can speak clearly and concisely about the assets you can offer the employer.

Ultimately, the key to effective interviewing is to project confidence, stay positive, and be able to share examples of your workplace skills and your qualifications for the job.

With some advance preparation, you will be able to nail the interview and showcase the experience that makes you an ideal employee for the company.

Here are some job interview tips:

Practise and prepare

Review the typical job interview questions employers ask and practise your answers. Strong answers are those that are specific but concise, drawing on concrete examples that highlight your skills and back up your resume. Your answers should also emphasise the skills that are most important to the employer and relevant to the position.

Be sure to review the job listing, make a list of the requirements, and match them to your experience.

It is equally important to listen carefully during your interview in order to ensure your responses give the interviewer the information they are looking for.

Also, prepare a list of questions you will ask the interviewer, in case they want to know if you have any questions for them. In such situations, having questions for the interviewer makes you not to appear apathetic, which is a major turn-off for interviewers.

Develop a connection with the interviewer

In addition to indicating what you know about the company, you should also try to develop a connection with your interviewer. Find out the interviewer’s name, and use it during the job interview.

Building rapport and making a personal connection with your interviewer can up your chances of getting hired – people tend to hire candidates they like.

Research the company, and show what you know

Do your homework and research the employer and the industry, so you are ready for the interview question, “What do you know about this company?”

If this question is not asked, you should try to demonstrate what you know about the company on your own.

Get ready ahead of time

Don’t wait until the last minute to pick out an interview outfit, print extra copies of your resume, or find a notepad and pen.

Have one good interview outfit ready, so you can go for interviews on short notice without having to worry about what to wear. When you have an interview lined up, get everything ready the night before.

Be on time for the interview

On time means at least 10 minutes early. Give yourself a few extra minutes to visit the restroom, check your outfit, and calm your nerves.

Try to stay calm

During the job interview, try to relax and stay as calm as possible. Remember that your body language says as much about you as your answers to the questions. Try to exude confidence. As you answer questions, maintain eye contact with the interviewer.

Follow-up after the interview

Always follow up with a thank-you note reiterating your interest in the position. You can also include any details you may have forgotten to mention during your interview.

Source: thebalancecareers.com