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One of the most irritating and frustrating things to deal with when getting a new job is going through the interview. It’s almost as if your prospective employer is trying to make you nervous with interrogation and stares that are going right through you. However, if you follow a few simple guidelines, you can have a successful and stress-free result.
First and foremost it’s important to understand that each question means something to the employer. Granted, you won’t even understand some of them, but the person holding the interview will. They can be the most off-the-wall questions too, so you should be ready for anything that is tasteful.
Having complete answers will be extremely important. If your sentences are choppy, fragmented, and sound like you weren’t schooled properly, they may look for someone else. Use good grammar, and be clear when you are speaking. If they have to continually ask you to repeat yourself, then you probably won’t get the job.
The second tip for a job interview is to keep your answers positive if possible. The worst thing you can do is bash a previous employer. When you are asked why you left your last job or why you are looking for a change, do not tell them that the hours are horrible and that you hate your boss. This will tell them that you may be a difficult employee and that you may not be the right fit for the job.
Another good tip for the interview process is to be honest. If they ask about your previous attendance history and if you had been disciplined for attendance at your previous job, be honest. Your answers can be phrased in a way that will not look negative.
You should make sure if your attendance was down, that you give them proper reasons why. Just saying you didn’t want to go in won’t be good. Try explaining that you had an illness, and if you think the situation is going to arise during your interview, bring in a copy of the note you got from your doctor. It may sound crazy, but if you need or want the job real bad, you will go the extra mile.
Some interviewers will ask questions such as “Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a policy or procedure at a previous job and what you did about it”. If your previous jobs were filled with policies that you did not agree with, this is not the time or place to discuss it. You can give them an example of a policy that you did not agree with but tell them that you adhered to the policy anyway. You can tell them that you tried to gain an understanding as to why things were the way they were and that you understood in the end.
What it comes down to is you want to be genuine, but you also want to be able to present yourself in a positive light. So dress to impress, get cleaned up, have nice looking hair or a properly groomed one, and bring your self-confidence (not your arrogance) to the interview. If you take this route, the interview will be much smoother and you will have a better chance of earning your new spot on the team.
Michael Murray is owner of the site Job Cover Letters. Visit his website for the latest cover letter, resume, and job interview tips.
