Key Steps to a Successful Interview
Interviews are difficult for everyone, no matter what position you are applying for or qualifications you might have for the job. Being nervous just comes with the territory of seeking new employment or applying for a promotion. There are many things that you can do to help the process along. Interviews are never going to be a stress-free process but by learning a few techniques you can prepare yourself for general questions in advance so that you are not trying to think of an answer on the spot.
During the interview process you may find that you have to speak to more than one interviewer. This generally happens when an applicant is seeking employment in the business world. The interviewers themselves may have very different skill sets and will ask questions accordingly.
Showing that you are in command of your area of expertise can take you most of the way through your interview. But skill is never all that a company or business is looking for in an applicant. Interviewers will always ask you a series of questions. Some may be geared towards the job but others may be of a more personal nature. These questions are asked in order to determine an applicant's ability and self motivation. Below is a list of questions that may be asked during an interview.
Tell us about you
Generally this is the first question that you should expect. The interviewer could be asking this question for many different reasons. The question could be asked to give the interviewer time to take a second look at your application. They could also be asking to see how well you communicate. To make a good impression you should try to keep your answer about two minutes long. This is ample time for you to highlight your achievements and impress your interviewer.
Tell us why our company/organization should hire you
Try to incorporate your abilities to what the job entails. Your abilities need to meet the job requirements that you are applying for. You will impress the interviewer if you keep your answer to 3-5 minutes and you do not run on until the answer becomes exaggerated.
What made you select our company/organization to apply to?
This is where a few minutes researching the company that you are applying to becomes imperative. Knowing what a company does and is known for, makes an answer to this question much easier. For example, if a company is known for using state of the art technology you could expand on that. Your answer could be about how your skills and accomplishments compliment the companies endeavor to pioneer new ways.
What holds your interest when you are not at work?
Usually this question is asked to fill in a gap where the interviewer is reading information you have provided in your application. Try to remember the nature of the job when answering and provide information that helps establish how your outside activities will help you on the job.
What kind of salary are you expecting?
Be very careful when you answer this question. You do not want to state a salary that is well above the position being applied for. You also do not want to low ball your answer. Stress to the employer that you are more interested in the job itself then what the job pays. Try not to leave them with the idea that you are only applying for the money. A company wants to know that you have a desire to work for them because you enjoy the work, not that employment with them means just a pay check.
If it is at all possible don't mention salary in the interview unless they bring it up. In most cases you can research the position before hand to see about what the job pays. Doing a little research outside of the interview could mean the difference of the interviewer's overall opinion of you.
What to Wear for an Interview
Everyone always worries about what the perfect apparel is to wear to an interview. That answer varies according to what position you are applying for. Looking professional is a must. It does not matter if you are applying to a bank or for a house keeping position; dressing respectfully will show the person interviewing you that you take pride in yourself. Hence, it tells the potential employer that you will put the same effort into your job.
Communication is Key
Communication is so much more important than what many people think. People communicate with others in many ways. Holding eye contact while listening to another lets someone know that they are being heard and respected. Body language during an interview says more than you would believe. If you are slouching in your chair it could tell the interviewer that you are not really that interested in working for them. On the other hand a rigid body posture may undermine you and show a lack of confidence in your abilities to perform the job in question. Try to keep a professional but relaxed posture. By doing so, you are saying to the employer that you are confident in your skills and that you are the right person for the job. Also you must remember where you are, what your goal is, and speak with a professional voice. Using bad grammar or inappropriate speech is completely unacceptable. Think for a moment about how to phrase your answers in an appropriate way. Keep in mind what you are trying to accomplish in the end, which is to gain employment.
With some preliminary searches about the company you are applying to, you can gain valuable insight for the questions that will be asked during the interview process as well as knowing what salary to expect. The ability to have those answers already in mind will definitely help you to relate them easier and with more confidence. Incorporating all of these suggestions into your interview process can help you become a competitive candidate with a strong chance at being offered the position.
