50 Quick Interviewing Tips
1 | Identify your accomplishments before you go on an interview. |
2 | Don’t let your guard down. No matter how friendly the interviewer is, you must always remember that she/he is not your friend. |
3 | Answer the interviewer’s questions in a direct and concise manner. |
4 | Identify your needs and match them to the needs of an employer. |
5 | Dress in a manner that your position calls for. |
6 | Maintain direct eye contact with the interviewer; this will show that you are confident in your abilities and that you have nothing to hide. |
7 | Don’t bring up salary first. |
8 | Develop questions of your own that demonstrate your interest and knowledge in working with the company. |
9 | Send a thank-you letter to all individuals with whom you interviewed. |
10 | Be aware of your language. Avoid vocal fillers such as “like” or “um”. |
11 | Answer questions within 60 seconds or you will lose your listener. |
12 | Ask for a copy of the job description. |
13 | Make sure that you show interest in and enthusiasm for working for the employer. |
14 | Be prepared, but don’t sound rehearsed. |
15 | Expect to answer the question, “Tell me about yourself.” |
16 | Be aware of the interviewer’s body language and adapt yours to match hers. |
17 | Give yourself 24 hours before you accept or decline a position. |
18 | Remember that you are interviewing the company as well. |
19 | Before the interview ends, ask if you should clarify or elaborate on any points. |
20 | Be prepared to expand on the information you provided in the resume. |
21 | Always show up on time. |
22 | Be as honest as you can without hindering your chances of landing a job offer. |
23 | When filling out a job application, make sure you read and follow the instructions carefully. |
24 | Thank the interviewer for his time. |
25 | Attend an interview workshop, read a book on interviewing, or hire a coach to guide you through the process. |
26 | Listen carefully to the questions that are being asked and try to determine their hidden meaning. |
27 | Ask for the interviewer’s business card so that you will have the proper spelling of his or her name as well as job title, address, and phone number. |
28 | No matter how great you were during the interview, continue your job search until you have accepted a job offer. |
29 | Bring your social security card, working papers (if applicable), and driver’s license or state ID to every interview. |
30 | Maintain a positive and upbeat demeanor; never let them see you sweat. |
31 | Answer the question that is being asked; don’t go off on tangents. |
32 | Be aware of your tone and body language. |
33 | Establish rapport with the interviewer. |
34 | Don’t interrupt the interviewer when she is speaking. |
35 | Don’t hog the interview with your agenda. |
36 | Be patient during the interview process. You may be asked to attend more than one interview before a job offer is put on the table. |
37 | Expect to be nervous. |
38 | Don’t overstay your welcome; recognize cues that the interview is coming to an end. |
39 | At the end of the interview, ask the interviewer what the next step will be. |
40 | If you get the impression that the interview is not going as planned, don’t show your disappointment; remain calm. |
41 | The purpose of the first interview is not to get a job offer; it is to be invited to a second interview. |
42 | Know the organization’s needs and culture before the interview. |
43 | Be yourself. |
44 | Don’t speak negatively about your present or past employer. |
45 | Wait until you are offered a seat before you sit down. |
46 | Interact with the interviewer; don’t react. |
47 | Pace yourself; if you need extra time to think of an answer, take it. |
48 | Write down your thoughts and impressions of the interview immediately after it is over. |
49 | At the end of the interview, make sure you ask for the job. |
50 | Allow sufficient time between interviews. |
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From May 2010