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.
Be sure to answer the questions entirely and while using good grammar during the interview. An employer will not hire someone that cannot communicate well. You need to speak with confidence and if you do not understand the question be sure to ask for clarification. You do not want to give an answer that does not pertain to the question at all.
You should also keep your answers positive at all times. Unless of course a negative one is required, but it's usually not the case. For instance, the employer will ask you why you left your last job. If you tell him/her you hated your boss and the hours were horrible, that is the fast track to the end of the line and a new interview with a different company.
We also recommend being honest. You would be surprised at how many times you people lie in the beginning to a get a job, and then it comes back to haunt them later on. Whatever the case may be, it's better off telling the truth upfront for any situation.
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.
The last, and possibly most important, is to present you in a positive light in all aspects. Look the interviewer in the eye. Make them see how confident you are. Dress to impress. Be sure your hair is in place and that your breath smells fresh. They need to see that you are a great prospect from all angles. The interview will go much smoother if they are not distracted by stains or torn clothing or foul smelling breath. They will be focusing specifically on your qualities and potential.
Author Resource:
Michael Murray is a writer of career and employment articles. If you need help writing a cover letter , check out his website to get the free report "Top 10 Secrets of The World's Greatest Cover Letter.
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