No matter which stage of your career you are at, interviews are something that you will need to excel at to get the jobs that you want. Your performance at an interview is what validates your qualifications and prior experience. A bad interview can make everything else irrelevant, while a good one can completely change your fate. This article will present some ideas for effectively selling you as the best candidate for a job.
1. Know the Job
The very first thing you should do when going for an interview is to research the company. Go to its website and find out their history, their product portfolio, clients, suppliers and other details briefly. Next, research the specific area of the company that you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for the post of a Business Development Manager, try to find out how the company has grown in its recent past.
2. Know your Strengths
Equally important to researching on the job is to know your own strengths. There are strengths that you must have in general as a professional and then there are those that are required for specific occupations. For example, dedication, eagerness to learn more and intentions to pursue higher education are qualities that are universally appreciated in professionals. On the other hand, a tough physique, ability to crack mathematical problems or ability to communicate in multiple languages is a strength that will be appreciated in specific jobs. When, talking about your strengths at an interview keep in mind the requirements of the job and align both the categories accordingly. Other than being thoroughly aware of your professional strengths, you must know your weaknesses too. Try to present them in a positive light such as by showing how you have worked to improve yourself in areas of weaknesses.
3. Present Well
First impressions are indeed the last impressions at least when you are meeting potential employers for a short while in an enclosed space where you are the subject of evaluation. To fare well on this aspect of the interview, it is very important to make yourself as presentable as possible. A firm handshake and genuine smile will help tremendously.
4. Display Professionalism
In addition to your physical appearance, another physical cue that helps interviewers judge you is how you behave before, during and after the interview. This includes your time of arrival, your body language, courtesy and facial expressions. Sometimes, even with the right intentions, people come across as indifferent, unenergetic, rude or even aggressive. Seek feedback from your peers and friends as to what they think about your body language. Use their feedback to make improvements.
5. Take Advantage of Opportunities
it takes opportunities to prove yourself at an interview. Remember, each question posed by an interview is an opportunity to prove yourself. That doesn’t mean that you have to participate in a speech marathon. It means that when asked a question, you must listen carefully as to what the interviewer wishes to know about you. Answer accordingly. Also, remember that interviewers take cues from your answers to frame the next questions. So don’t mention anything that you are not ready to elaborate on. Instead, mention things that will suggest that you will be a strong contributor.
Creative Commons Flickr Photo by Bpsusf
About The Author
Justin Davis writes for Paralegal 411, an information resource on finding schools for earning a paralegal education and getting started in the paralegal field.
