Going into an interview for a job that you
desperately want can give you a feeling similar to stage fright. The pressure
from wanting to impress someone can bring on terrible nerves. They say that the
more practice you get from doing something, the easier it gets.
This doesn’t apply as much with interviews
because no two interview experiences are the same. On the other hand, the
skills required for every interview are the same whether you’re applying to a
small family-owned company or a million-dollar corporation.
Something that you’ll learn from your interviewing
experiences is that you will learn something new each time. Interviewers like
to change things up with the questions they ask so you’ll often have to think
on your feet. The things that you can control, though, are what you should have
no problem with.
Match
the employees: Some hiring managers will tell you whether they
expect you to dress differently than the typical interview attire. You
should always be under the impression to dress on the nicer
side. The feeling of being underdressed in an interview is much worse that
being overdressed. Be cautious of overkill though. You attire should impress in
subtle ways.
Avoid
flattery: Flattering the interviewer is doing a bit too
much. Schmoozing during an interview is an unwelcome tactic from hiring
managers. Making an impression is meaningless if you end up making the wrong
kind. Direct your comments away from observations of their appearance and talk
about something that you notice you have in common with the interviewer.
Present
your resume: It’s typical practice to bring in all and
any necessary documents to an interview such as resumes, cover letters,
business cards, etc. Instead of waiting for the interviewer to ask you, offer
them at the start of the interview. If there’s something you want the
interviewer to notice, don’t assume that they will. Confirm it by bringing it
up.
Prepared
questions: Not having any at the end of the interview
can make it seem like you’re not invested in getting the position. Asking
questions is how the interviewer gauges your interest in the company and the
job. Of course, save the money questions for a later time either in another
interview or when a job is offered. The first interview should focus on
what you can bring to the table and how your contributed efforts will benefit
the company’s growth.
Body
language: What you say in your body language can speak
volumes. Be mindful of your actions and expressions. Refrain from scratching
your head or rubbing your nose. While they may not seem like big deals to you,
in an interview where you’re being critiqued you want to make sure there isn’t
anything to hold against you. End the interview the same way you started
it–with a handshake
Being able to do well in an interview has a lot to do
with your ability to read the interviewer and feel out the situation. Building
a rapport and connecting with interviewer is important to getting the job, but
doing this easy. Forcing this type of interaction is obvious especially when
it’s due to nerves. The key to being relaxed in this situation is preparing
yourself well enough to walk in radiating with confidence.
