Job interviews are stressful, but they don't have to be. You can walk into any interview confident that you're prepared and ready to go. It all comes down to preparation, practice, and knowing what to expect. So here are our top job interview tips—from how to dress for an interview to what questions they might ask in the process:
Practice, practice, practice
The best interview preparation is to practice interviewing. You can do this in front of a mirror or with a friend, but it's best if you have someone who can give you constructive feedback. Practice your answers to common interview questions and focus on body language—if you're right-handed, make sure the interviewer sees your right hand when shaking hands.
Practice in front of a mirror so that you can see how good or bad your posture looks (shoulders back, chin up). Also, practice making eye contact and smiling at different times during the conversation. For example: Smile as soon as they say hello; then stop smiling while they ask their first question; resume smiling when they ask another question; then stop again once they've asked their last question before ending the interview. This will help keep them feeling positive about working with you throughout the whole process!
Dress the part
Dress the part. It's important to dress for success when interviewing so that you make a good impression on the interviewer. The best way to do this is by dressing in a professional outfit that fits with the culture of the company and industry, and reflects what you think is appropriate for someone in your position. For instance, if you're applying for a job at an investment bank where they tend to wear suits and ties, then it's wise not to show up wearing flip-flops and cutoff jeans just because those are your favorite clothes (unless you're applying for an entry-level position). If there's some variation from these norms within your industry, then feel free to adapt them as needed.
Know how others perceive your clothing choice(s). There are two ways others may perceive your choice in clothing: through direct observation or via indirect observation (i.e., through pictures or video). If possible, try and avoid wearing patterns that could be distracting during an interview because this can affect how people perceive both their own thoughts/attention as well as those around them!
Pay attention to the little things
Be aware of your body language.
Smile, make eye contact and sit up straight!
Keep your hands visible at all times (don't cross your arms or legs).
Don't fidget too much or play with your hair.
Don't chew gum (it makes an impression that you're not prepared).
Show that you want the job
Be enthusiastic, but not over-the-top.
Show that you are interested in the company and the position.
Be prepared to ask questions about the position, such as:
What is my first 90 days going to look like?
How long have people had this role before moving on to other positions at [Company Name]?
What is it like working at [Company Name]?
Prep your answers to these common questions
As you prepare for your interview, it's important to come up with some answers to the most common questions. These are:
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
Anticipate what they want to hear
Have a list of questions prepared. Asking questions is a great way to show that you're interested in the job, so be sure to have a few ready. Keep them focused on what's important for the position and company, such as "What are some ways this job has grown over time?" or "How do you see the role evolving in the next year?"*
Know what you'll need to know about yourself. You should be prepared to answer questions about your skills, experience, personality traits and education level.*
Show you're enthusiastic about the job
You’re excited to be there, and they should know that. Represent your enthusiasm by showing that you’re as interested in the job as they are. Your interviewer will want to know why you want the position and what makes it so different than other jobs that could have been offered to you.
There are many ways to show your interest in a specific company, such as:
Talking about how excited you are about the opportunity
Listing the reasons why working at this particular company is a great fit for you
Make a good impression with body language
Let's start with the basics. When you sit down, make sure your body is relaxed and open. Keep your shoulders loose, and make sure that both feet are touching the ground (no one wants to hire a slouch). If there's a chair in front of you—which there usually isn't—then place one hand on top of each other; this will show that your arms are relaxed. You don’t want to cross them because it could come across as defensive or uncooperative. Also, avoid any sudden movements or fidgeting because they can be distracting during an interview!
Smile! It doesn't have to be a huge grin—just a natural smile is enough for most people (and employers). By smiling more often than not, you'll appear more confident and cheerful which gives off positive vibes that people like being around."
Prepare smart questions for your interviews
If you want to land a job, you'll need to ask smart questions. You'll want to ask questions that show your interest in the company and the job, as well as questions that will help you determine if this is the right job for you. If a prospective employer is going to invest time and money hiring someone, they want to make sure it's worth their while. They don't just want someone who can do their job; they also want someone who will be happy at work and stay there for years—or even decades.
There are tons of great reasons why it might not be a good idea to get hired somewhere: You might find out that your boss or coworkers aren't very nice people; or maybe the job isn't what you expected when looking at its description online; or maybe everything about where this company operates just rubs you wrong (the smell of burning rubber in the parking lot every morning when walking into work? Really?). Any one of these issues could lead to unhappiness on both sides of an employment contract—and no one wants that!
Ask your interviewer these questions
If you've made it to the interview stage, it's likely that you'll be meeting with a hiring manager or HR representative. They'll be asking questions and taking notes as they evaluate your candidacy. Here are some important questions you can ask at this time:
What is the company culture like? Do they value innovation and creativity? Are they open to new ideas, or do they prefer that employees follow strict rules and regulations?
What does the job description entail? How will my role fit into their goals for the future of this organization?
What kind of growth potential does this position offer me long-term (in terms of salary and responsibilities)?
Does this company have a mission statement or guiding principles by which its employees operate? Is there anything in particular that drives everyone who works here every day; something on which all staff members agree upon?
Being prepared and having an engaging conversation is more important than sounding perfect!
When you're interviewing, it's important to think about what you want out of the job and how you plan to get there. The interviewer will ask questions about your experience, skills and qualifications.
For example: "Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for one of your clients." Or "What is your biggest strength?"
They may also ask about salary expectations or weaknesses that need improvement. They'll want to know if they can trust you with their company's money—and whether they'll be able to trust that any problems won't happen again in the future!
As you prepare for your interview, remember that the most important thing is to be yourself. Don’t try to memorize answers or say things just because other people have said them before you. Be genuine, and let your personality shine through!
Ready to ace your job interview and land your dream job? Check out the latest legit work from home jobs from Legit Mom Jobs here.
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