how to make the most of a job interview

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF A JOB INTERVIEW A job interview is a journey and not a destination. The interview is your opportunity to make a good impression on the interviewer and hopefully, get the job you are being interviewed for. It therefore follows that if you are smart, you should make the most of the interview and land the job.I have attended a number of interviews myself and I have also interviewed prospective employees in some of the organizations for which I have worked. So, based on my experience in such matters, I believe you can make the most of a job interview if you use the tips explained below.
1) Interview yourself firstThis means that before you go for the interview, give yourself a mock interview first. I imagine that you the one interviewing another for the position you are looking for. Write out a series of possible questions and try to answer them logically and correctly. Be objective and ensure that your answers are in accordance with what the company may want to hear from you.
2) Dress wellYour appearance tells the interviewers something about your disposition and your personal habits. So dress formal, be well-groomed and neat as this will make a good impression on your interviewers.
3) Switch off your mobile phone If your phone rings while you are getting interviewed, you can kiss the job goodbye. It is a sign of disrespect and you can bet your interviewers will hold it against you.
4) Be polite No interviewer likes a rude and generally aggressive applicant. So be very careful in your choice of words. Some interviewers may even try to provoke you. It’s all part of the game. Don’t get trapped and don’t lose your cool. Speak in a quiet and respectful tone and if a question is repeated, answer it again patiently.
5) Don’t gloatOf course, they’ll be questions about performance in your previous place of work. If you did a competent job there, try to downplay your own role. “I was the team leader and, with the efforts of the others on the team, we met out target”. This sounds much better than; “I always met my targets and I consider myself a red-hot executive.”
6) Ask relevant questionsDon’t be afraid to ask good questions. Ask questions about company policy – expansion, goals, work ethics and how to cope with competition. It shows you are interested in the corporate goals of the company and this is what every interviewer loves to hear.
7) Watch your mouthAn interview is not quite an opportunity to run mouth. So watch what you say and only express things that will portray you in good light. Don’t run down your former employers and don’t bad mouth your former colleagues. If you do this you will give your interviewers in very bad impression.
8) Be punctual This is one thing that interviewers look out for. A guy that comes late for an interview is clearly an irresponsible person. So, make sure you are there a few minutes before the stipulated time.
9) Don’t be a wimpIt pays to be respectful at an interview but that does not mean you should be a wimp. Some questions may require that you assert yourself and insist on your point of view. Do so politely but don’t across as a yes-man. No interviewer wants a yes-man for a position that requires some initiative.
10) Don’t discuss moneyOf course, you want to know how much your salary is going to be. You are curious about allowances, vacations, stock options and paid vacations. My advice is don’t ask. If you do, you will come across as a money minded person and that is a bad sign.
11) Show that you fit the bill If the position calls for a person that will be a team player, try to come across as one. If initiative and decisive action is required, point out previous experiences where you have exercised your initiative. In other words, be smart.
12) Give a feedback After the interview, whether you are likely to get the job or not, get back to your interviewer by e-mail or fax. Thank them for the time and attention and express the view that you will always keep in touch with them. This is a great public relations tool and it will do you a lot of good.Finally, remember that an interview in most cases is touch and go. Make the most of the interview and you are in pole position to get the job. Good luck.