Conquer a Job Interview

Applying for a job can be stressful; getting a job interview can be a mix of excitement and an overwhelming surge in nerves, but in order to succeed you must take control of the situation.  In such circumstances the interviewee must show they are eagerly interested in the position without sounding desperate.  You are responsible for not only conveying your ability to fulfill the requirements but must also convey your desire for the position.  

The unstable global job market has left an abundance of people who are able to fulfill requirements.  This is why it’s very important to express your interest in the position.  Show your attention to detail.  Make sure you’ve done your research on the company and position before you go into the job interview.  This will show that you’ve prepared well and are a responsible candidate.  

How you come across in the interview is a major indicator on how you will act on the job.  This means if you come into an interview late, or seem too relaxed and even messy, these are major warning signs for hiring managers.  You have to strike a comfortable balance between professional etiquette and personal etiquette.  This means being dressed accordingly for the position you’re interviewing for (personal etiquette) and knowing the facts regarding the position and company (professional etiquette).  

Make sure you’re familiar with the credentials on your resume.  Your resume is generally a major factor on how you got the interview.  You will most likely be asked about the roles you played in previous positions, and the contributions you made to these positions.  Think about the skills you’ve acquired in past experiences and how they relate to the current job opening.  Be prepared to answer tough questions with specific stories, facts and even figures to give your words power.  Giving the interviewer specific examples on how you can be a great fit into the company will help strengthen your case for the job.  

Before the job interview is complete, you may want to ask how well you compare to the ideal candidate.  This lets the interviewer know you’re serious about the position.  This is also a great way to gauge how well the interview went.  Good luck!