Regardless of how many times you have interviewed for positions in your field of expertise; all interviewers are different.
Our teams of Account Executives and Recruiters have put together a top 10 list of their best interview tips.
1. Do your research.
Find out everything you can about the company from recent financial reports to new products on the horizon. There is much too much information out there to go into an interview blind.
2. Make a good first impression.
(The hiring manager will judge you in the first 30 seconds.)
Make sure your suit is ready to go and that everything matches (belt with shoes etc.)
Better to be too conservative than too edgy. Be conservative on the scents as well;
too much perfume or cologne is a turn off for most hiring executives.
3. There are dozens of typical interview questions.
Develop “canned” responses to these questions and practice answering them. That way, when you get asked “Tell me about yourself” or “What is your greatest strength/weakness” you’ll have a smart, concise answer locked and loaded. This will prevent you from stammering, rambling and you will come off as polished and professional.
4. Prepare for Behavioral Questions
Many companies use an interview technique known as behavioral interviewing. This method of interviewing asks candidates to give specific examples of situations they have encountered. For example, "tell me about a time you didn't meet a deadline and how you handled it." Take time to go through the questions below and write out examples to keep for future interviews. It can be difficult to come up with good examples to behavioral interview questions on the spot, and you will be far better served if you can determine good examples in advance.
Work-related examples of:
- How you handled not meeting a deadline
- How you dealt with conflict with a co-worker or boss
- What you did when someone else's actions caused your project to fail
- When you have shown initiative
- What you did when a customer was upset with you
- A time when a co-worker blamed you for something that was not your faul
5. Breath Mnts
keep them on hand but make sure you are finished with them BEFORE you actually go in for the interview. Nothing turns an interviewer off quicker than knowing what you had for dinner the night before.
6. Posture
Stand tall, not hunched over. (Think confidence, not hope)
Nothing sticks out more than a desperate interviewer.
7. Don’t fidget
Be calm, don’t bounce your knees or play with your
fingers (this will show nervousness).
8. Be a good listener
The goal is a 50/50 exchange during the interview
process. Don’t dominate the conversations and ask questions
throughout the process.
9. Talk about success!!!
