6 Steps To Having Strong Job Interviews

Preparing for a job interview is hard enough when you haven’t had a long layoff from the work force. Not only are you required to overcome some of the anxiety that comes with being put on the spot and having to answer questions, but you must reacquaint yourself with the ins and outs of the world of work. Job interviews can be harrowing experiences, for some. And at Independence Incorporated, we offer Interview Coaching to make things a lot easier for you.

When our clients are away from the work force for extended time periods, we offer a review of effective interview strategies that is often very helpful in helping them to rebuild their confidence. We know that it isn’t easy to start your career all over again. It’s hard enough just to get back to a state of good health and strength. There are a number of steps to be taken to get back to a good job position. Here are six tips to help you have strong job interviews.

1. Get to know the company you are applying to work for. Before an interviewer can get to know you, it’s important that you do your research about the company. “Knowing as much as possible about the company’s past performance and future plans can make your interview more interactive and could be just the leg up you need in a competitive job market,” writes Alison Doyle on About.com. She recommends that you start with reviewing the company’s website.

2. Dress the part. You know what they say about first impressions, right? It’s important to make sure that you impress your interviewer the moment he or she lays eyes on you. On BitesizeBio.com, Allison Ross insists that dressing professionally is a critical part of any successful job interview. “Casual is not good and gives the wrong impression,” she writes, “for a professional career position, get it right and buy that killer suit.”

3. Practice makes perfect. You always studied before you took tests in school, right? Well, consider your job interview your next big test. That means that you should practice what you plan to say and how you plan to say it before the actual interview takes place. “Practice with a friend and record or videotape your responses so you can replay the interview and see how well you did,” recommends Doyle.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is true that a standard job interview places the interviewer in the position of ‘question-asker’ and the interviewee in the position of ‘question-answerer’. But, believe it or not, your interviewer wants you to ask questions. It shows that you genuinely care about the job position and are curious to learn more. “You don’t have to wait until the end of the interview to ask questions,” encourages Ross.

5. Keep your calm. Doyle points out that it’s important to stay calm throughout your interview. It’s normal to be nervous. But showing poise can go a long way. “It is perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to frame your responses so you can be sure to fully answer the question,” she reminds us. She also advises that you always thank your interviewers at the end of each interview, reminding them of your interest in the job position.

6. Be on time. All of the above mentioned tips are great. But they won’t come in very handy if you don’t show up for your interview on time! Tardiness is certainly not a trait that any company wants in a new employee. Instead, “arrive 10 minutes before – and if you’re too early then take a walk around the block,” suggests Ross, “Just don’t leave it until 5 minutes before the interview is due to start.”

For more information on Independence Incorporated’s Interview Coaching, please feel free to call 204-478-6644.