November 14, 2011

Job interviews (1)

There is a lot you can do before, during and afterwards to help things go well.
When you attend an interview you are going to be asked about your educational background, work experience, skills, personal qualities etc and it will be your chance to convince your potential employer that you are the perfect candidate he or she is looking for. So, it is important to be well prepared and learn different tips and strategies that will help you succeed and get the job.

Before the interview

1. Take time to find out information about the company. Why? Because, you may be asked questions specifically related to the company and it may be easier for you to answer them if you have that information in advance.
2. As you are going to talk about yourself, about your work career etc...prepare it previously so later, you can do it in detail and accurately.Talk freely but try to be precise and concise.
3. Review typical questions you are most likely to be asked and think carefully about the answers. If you can anticipate obvious questions you can plan your answers and you will feel and sound more confident. (See link below about useful questions)
4. Make a list of questions you want to ask at the interview. If you are nervous and you will be, you may forget about them.
5. Dress formally. Don't wear casual clothes.If you look smart and well groomed it will mean that you are taking the interview seriously.
6. Check day, time and where it is. It could be awful if you went on the wrong day!
7. Arrive in good time. Try to be five or ten minutes earlier than your appointment time.
8. Just before the interview, focus your attention on your breathing, long slow deep breath should help calm down your butterflies!

During the interview

1. Good impressions are important.When you come into the room, the first impression you are going to make on the interviewer can be decisive for the rest of the interview. So, introduce yourself, shake hands firmly, and be friendly and polite. A smile to start with, can relax you and everyone else.
2. Try to stay relaxed, it´s difficult because you want to do well and be chosen for the post but you should be able to control yourself.
3. Pay atention to your body language. Body language can give the interviewer a lot of information about you. Maintain eye contact with your interviewer, don't slouch and don't fidget with your hair or jewellery!
4. Always tell the truth and be honest.This is a golden rule.
5. Be positive about youself.You might feel as if you were selling yourself. Don't worry, you are!. Remember, "sell your assets not your defects"
6. Avoid saying "yes" or "no" answers. Give reasons for your answers but go straight to the point and don't beat about the bush!
7. If you have questions to ask, this is the right moment to do it. Show that you are interested in the job.
8. Thank the interviewer for seeing you before you leave

After the interview

Learn from the interview. Be positive and if you don't get the job, think what and how you can improve the next time.


In your opinion, what are the most important points to bear in mind when attending a job interview? Leave your comments, please.

20 comments:

Diego Lorenzo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Francisco Aranda said...

I think the most important point is the number 5 because you will get the job if you are positive about yourself.

Diego Lorenzo said...

I think the most important point is the number 1, because when you go to an interview, you must be a good impression. If you have a good first appearance, you will get the job easily.

Galvez said...

In my opinion the most important point is the number 1 because, your first impression is the most important; if you haven´t a good appearance,you won´t get the work.

Angela said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Angela said...

In my opinion, I think that the most important point are arrived in good time, you should wear smart clothes and you must pay attention to your body language. If you have all that in mind, sure you will get the job

Cris Morales said...

You must to be honest with yourself and with the interviewer... Telling the truth is always a good idea!

laura lillo said...

From my point of view you should know some information about this company because it is probably that you will have to answer some questions about it.If you meet them well it will seem that you are very interested about the post.

Peña said...

1. You should arrive in good time because a person who does not come in times gives a bad impression.

Maria said...

I think the most important point is the number 8 because if you aren't polite you won't get the work

Marina Díaz said...

I think that the most important point is the number 3 because body language can give the interviewer a lot of information about you. You need to be confident.

ali said...

You must pay attention to your body language because you must give the impression that you feel confident.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, I think the first impression is very important because if you give a good impression, your possibility is higher. You must dress formally.

Genoveva said...

I think that the most important point is the number 4 because you shouldn't lie in an interview. It's very important to say the truth and be yourself.

Flores said...

I think that is very important give reasons for your answers, for you provar that you are interested in the job and the interview.

Cristina Arias said...

I think the most important point is 4. things to do before the interview. because you must know everything about the company and if you have any questions you should ask.

Vanesa said...

In my opinion the most important is to find out information about the company, because you must know about the company before the interview.

dory said...

In my opinion it is very important, to wear formal clothes to give a good impresion and always tell the truth and be honest

miriam said...

I my opinion, it is very important, the points 3 and 4, because it can give the interviewer a lot of information about you. Maintaining eye contact with your interviewer and always tell the truth and be honest.

Ana M. Moreno said...

In my opinion the most important is try to stay relaxed, it´s difficult because you want to do well and be chosen for the post but you should be able to control yourself.

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