To get your dream job, you need to interview really well. But interviewing is not something that most people are naturally good at. So to help you with it, read these...
Start by doing some prep!
Most people fail to prepare for their job interview. As well as researching the company, you need to find out who is interviewing you and then learn about them personally (from their LinkedIn or other profiles on the web). Then you will be able to relate to them in the interview, mentioning things you have in common to try and build an affinity with them. After all-people love people who have similar interests!
Next, research the most common interview questions and rehearse your answers to them. Chances are you'll be asked questions like "so tell us about yourself" and "what are your strengths and weaknesses" so you need to have your answers to these questions well rehearsed if you're going to win them over!
The kick-off
On the day, arrive 15 minutes early and sit in the reception area. Focus on nothing but your breathing. Relax your entire body and ignore what's going on around you.
When you're called into the room, start with a strong hand shake. Look them in the eye and have your body language front facing. Stand tall and look confident. Be very careful what you say in the first 2 minutes as they are crucial. You'll be judged on your first impression so if you blab on about the traffic, then they could come to the wrong conclusion prematurely. So start out cautiously but positively, complimenting them on their premise and your experience so far.
Let them drive
Don't jump straight into conversation. Instead, let them organize themselves and get settled in first. Then let them drive the meeting. If there is a pause or a break in conversation, don't fill it. They are simply thinking about the answer to the last question or how to kick off the next question. They need this “thinking time” if they are to come to the right conclusion.
Answering questions
When you're asked a question, always stop for 2-3 seconds before answering. This gives you time to gather your thoughts so you can answer well. Keep your answers short and to the point. Quote examples and reference people who can back you up. Give authority to your answers by quoting what you've done in the past and what you’ve learned along the way. They need to know that not only can you "do the job" but that "you've been there and done it before".
The big finale
You need a confident finish at the end of the interview. So tell them how impressed you are with the company and how excited you are about the role. Briefly summarize how you can add value to the role and why you're the best candidate. Tell them you're really excited about it all and that you already have ideas for how you’ll achieve the targets set.
