Interviewing can be a very nerve wracking process for anyone. You can feel like you are under a microscope by the prospective employer and your nerves can make you blank out or make your mind wander. If you follow some simple guidelines when you are in your interview, things will go much smoother.
The first thing to remember is these are important questions to the employer. Even if they don’t seem to apply to you, they definitely can give them a little more insight on what you’re all about and where you’re headed. Plus, they are probably looking for specific answers to each one.
Having complete answers will be extremely important. If your sentences are choppy, fragmented, and sound like you weren’t schooled properly, they may look for someone else. Use good grammar, and be clear when you are speaking. If they have to continually ask you to repeat yourself, then you probably won’t get the job.
You should also keep your answers positive at all times. Unless of course a negative one is required, but it’s usually not the case. For instance, the employer will ask you why you left your last job. If you tell him/her you hated your boss and the hours were horrible, that is the fast track to the end of the line and a new interview with a different company.
Just be honest, because if it turns out this isn’t for you, there will always be another one around the corner. We would hate for you to lie through your teeth during an interview, get all these promotions and things looking up, then those lies end up beating you back down. In the end, don’t be that person.
If you missed a lot of work due to an illness and you were disciplined (written warning, final written warning, etc.) you can tell a prospective employer this in a way that does not look so bad on you. Tell them that you did develop a serious medical condition that required you to be out of work for a short amount of time. This sounds better than “I called off a lot and got written up”.
Oh, and if you hear the policies question, stay political. You know the one where they ask, “Did you disagree with any policies at your old job?” This can be a decision maker here, and while we want you to be honest and let them know if you did, you should also word your answer correctly. You can tell them which policy, but explain that you adhered to it and tried to understand it as you went along.
The last, and possibly most important, is to present you in a positive light in all aspects. Look the interviewer in the eye. Make them see how confident you are. Dress to impress. Be sure your hair is in place and that your breath smells fresh. They need to see that you are a great prospect from all angles. The interview will go much smoother if they are not distracted by stains or torn clothing or foul smelling breath. They will be focusing specifically on your qualities and potential.
Michael Murray publishes a blog about career tips. If you are planning on using a sample cover letter, read his report on how to edit it properly.
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