After months of scouring job boards and sending out resumes, you finally get the call. The job interview is scheduled, but it's not time to breathe that sigh of relief yet. There's still plenty of work to do to get ready for the big day. Review these 9 tips to make sure you nail that all-important job interview.
1. Research the Organization
Find out everything you can about the hiring organization before heading into to your job interview. Review their mission statement, read recent press releases and news articles, and learn about the company's products and services. This demonstrates your interest in the position.
2. Get to Know the Job
Read over the job description carefully. Get to know what the hiring organization is looking for in an ideal candidate. Determine how your skills, education and experience relate to the potential employer's needs, and discuss this topic during the job interview.
3. Study Your Resume
Get to know your resume like the back of your hand. When the hiring manager asks questions, try to relate your responses back to your skills and experience to show off your value.
4. Maintain Eye Contact
From the first handshake until the last question, make sure you keep up a natural level of eye contact with those on the interview panel. This shows that you're confident in yourself, and the hiring manager may perceive you as being more trustworthy.
5. Keep Calm
Don't let your nerves get the best of you. Practice deep breathing as you wait in the lobby before your job interview begins. When faced with a question, take a few seconds to collect your thoughts before offering a response.
6. Sell Your Skills
Rather than just listing the skills you possess, give examples. Provide quantitative examples to demonstrate your point. For example, to show off your sales skills, talk about how you boosted department revenue by 20 percent.
7. Pay Attention to Body Language
Even if you're feeling nervous, don't let your body language show it. Don't shuffle your papers, fumble with a pen or bounce your legs. Try to give off a relaxed, confident vibe.
8. Prepare Some Questions
Come up with a few insightful questions before the job interview, and jot them down to show you're prepared. Glean information from your research to come up with questions that show off your knowledge of the hiring organization and industry.
9. Follow Up
Always send a thank you note immediately after the job interview. While a handwritten note is genuine and personal, an email is acceptable as well. Thank the hiring manager for his time, and reiterate your interest in the position.
The more you prepare before your job interview, the more confident you feel walking into it. With these 9 tips, you can get one step closer to nailing any interview.
Photo courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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