After a résumé and cover letter, an interview is a company’s best chance to meet with you as an applicant and determine your eligibility or desirability for an open position. A job interview is very important and can make or break your chances of being hired. Here are three tips on preparing for a job interview.
Dress the part.
A job interview is your chance to make a good first impression and what you wear can help shape that impression. Dress professionally and somewhat conservatively for the interview. Jeans and a T-shirt are good for everyday life and maybe even the job you are interviewing for, but for an interview, dress to impress.
Practice what you will say.
Don’t go into an interview with a predetermined script or a rehearsed speech. Just have an idea of what you want to say about yourself beforehand instead of struggling to think of something on the spot. Try to come up with answers to difficult questions like “Why should I hire you?” that don’t involve “Um…” and staring at the floor.
Be ready for anything.
This is rather vague. It’s difficult to predict what anything might be. But, for example, what if the interview takes place in a café or some similar setting? You might not want to fumble with cash when buying a drink. Use something simple like a debit or prepaid credit card. Spend time trying to impress your interviewer instead of counting bills. As hard as it may sound, just try to be ready for the unexpected.
Job interviews are often somewhat stressful. But being prepared, going into the interview ready for whatever you may face, can make the experience a lot easier.
