Job Interview Tips

Before the Interview

Preparation and Confidence
Being prepared enhances confidence. Here are a few useful ways to prepare yourself:

Do your homework: Gather information that will be useful to talk about during the interview by visiting and reviewing the company's website. Print it out and bring it with you to the interview (preferably in a binder or professional portfolio folder).
Practice, practice, practice: Collect possible interview questions and practice answering them with your friends or family.
Confirm the time, date, and location of the interview as well as the names of the people interviewing you if possible.
Plan on arriving no earlier than half an hour before the interview time.
Dress professionally - it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
If you are asked to bring certificates, references etc., prepare them well in advance.

The Day of the Interview

Be on time.
Always keep in mind that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So be on time (or early) at the particular location of the interview.

If you arrive really early, wait in a nearby cafe or shop, or your car.
If you are going to be late, call them and let them know.

You've arrived. Now what?

Ensure that the receptionist knows that you are there.
Make eye contact. Smile. Use a firm handshake.

Tone is everything: Avoid sounding as though you assume the job is yours. Ask questions, and answer theirs as honestly as possible.

Do not talk too much. It is important to listen to the question asked and then answer that question. Keep your answer length to two to three minutes if you can.

Always remember that communication is a two-way street. Don't interrupt the interviewer when he/she is talking. Give him/her a chance to talk. Let them know that you are a good listener.

Do You Have Any Questions?
This will inevitably be asked of you. In addition to asking and answering questions throughout the interview, ask some at the end:

What is toughest/hardest part of your job?
How do you differentiate your company from the competitors?
What is a typical day at the office (or site, etc) like?
How many people will I work with on a daily basis?
Who do I report to?
How often do people receive promotions?
What is the best part of your job?

Be polite, smile, and thank them for their time. Be sure to ask for a business card so that you can contact them if you have any additional questions.

After the Interview

Send a thank you letter or email to everyone you interviewed with. Keep it brief, and let them know that you appreciate their time and efforts.

Stay calm if you don't hear anything for a few days. There are often numerous people that need to be interviewed, and the hiring process can stretch into weeks, or sometimes, months.

Good luck!