Career & Interview Strategy Center
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Job Interview TipsHere is a brief collection of job interviewing tips that will help you convey an image of a focused, dependable, and professional-caliber candidate: Job Interview Tip #1: To make a good first impression and avoid ruining your chances of getting the job before you even meet the job interviewer, get there a few minutes early. Factor in variables, such as road construction, taking a wrong turn, or traffic jams. Even if you have a great excuse for being late, you're still making a weak first impression and putting yourself at a competitive disadvantage. And there's a lot of competition out there! Job Interview Tip #2: Study the company's web site. More than half the interviewers you meet with will invariably ask "What do you know about us?" and even if they don't, you should show in your comments and questions that you do have a working knowledge of the company's background, accomplishments, goals, etc. Knowing something about the companies size, progress, and priorities can go a long way toward making a powerful impression on the job interviewer. Not all candidates will have taken the time to visit the company's web site and familiarized themselves with what the company is proud of and known for; so if you do it, you'll have a distinct competitive edge. It some cases, not knowing much or anything about the company you're applying to can be THE reason for not being invited back for a second interview. Job Interview Tip #3: Be familiar with your own accomplishments, skills, and work history. It's vitally important to be able to come across as someone who's organized, articulate, and who knows their own strengths and capabilities. Job Interview Tip #4: Review interview questions that are frequently asked at job interviews and practice some well thought out, intelligent-sounding answers to those questions. Job Interview Tip #5: Dress professionally and, if possible, make a quick trip to the bathroom before the interview (that's one of the reasons for arriving a few minutes early), so you can make sure your hair is not messed up and that there's nothing unattractive lodged between your teeth. It's also an opportunity to straighten ties, fix makeup, and, hopefully, give yourself a boost of confidence that you're ready for the interview. Job Interview Tip #6: Remember the importance of non-verbal communication: make eye contact (but don't stare), lean slightly forward to express interest, smile whenever appropriate to convey warmth and confidence, and shake the job interviewer's hand firmly without breaking any bones. ('Firmly' for women applicants and interviewers is a little different than 'firmly' for men applicant and interviewers.) Job Interview Tip #6: RELAX! Applicants who are able to relax and 'just be themselves' will come across as much more likeable, confident, and competent than their counterparts who are nervous, tense, and give stilted job interview answers.
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1) How to Prepare for a Job Interview |
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