May 9, 2008

The Right Approach To Job Interviews

Do as much research as you possibly can and learn as much as you can about the company, its structure, its policies, and its ethics. This will help when you face the interview panel. Preparing for the interview is the difference between getting the job and being rejected. Prepare wisely and approach the interview in the right manner.

Interview Tips

There are some simple yet effective tips that will help you crack that important interview.

• Punctuality - there is nothing worse than being late for an interview and making the interview panel wait for you. Your tardiness or your lack of punctuality shows that you have no respect for people’s time. Avoid this mistake at all costs. Make sure you know all the details of your interview well in advance and can prepare for it. Know the venue and get directions to it. An excuse like you got lost just does not hold. Come early for the interview. Give yourself plenty of time for traffic jams and other emergencies that can come up. Arriving early for the interview gives you time to familiarize yourself with the organization.

• Dress formally - what you wear is important to your image in a job interview. You want to come across as serious, business-like and intelligent. Dressing up casually is not acceptable in most organizations. Do not come to work with glitzy accessories or over-the-top make-up. The impression you want to give to the interview panel is that of a no-nonsense and efficient person.

• Prepare yourself - it always helps to be prepared before you go for an interview. Know about the company, its products, its structure, its policies, and other relevant information. Be sure to do your research before you go.

• Be calm and composed - interviews are stressful and scary but you have to remember to be calm and keep your cool at all times. Nothing is going to be achieved by you stressing out about the interview except make you more nervous and jittery. It is essential that you be composed and positive.

• Thank the right people - remember to thank the board, panel, or whoever has taken your interview. They have given up precious time to interview you and that deserves a word of thanks irrespective of whether or not you get the job.

Interviews are all about first impressions. The minute you enter that interview room to the minute you leave, you are being judged. Make the most of that time and try to convince the interviewer that you are the perfect person for that job and there is no need to look further.

There are certain things you should never do on a job interview. The most important of them all is to sit and let the interviewer ask all the questions. This gives the impression that you know nothing about the company and would not want anything clarified. Asking questions during an interview is as important as answering the ones being asked.

Remember that there are no right answers to cracking that interview. It is all about how you deal with it. Keep a positive attitude throughout the entire process, be professional, dress nicely, stay punctual, and always be curious about the company - while still demonstrating that you are knowledgeable about the company.

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