No matter how confident you may normally be during an interview, you may not see the signs that indicate it isn’t going in the right direction. It is, after all, the opportunity for you to sell yourself to another person as being the right candidate for a specific job. If things aren’t going well, you need to know it and know what to do to change it.
It may be fairly easy to determine if an interview is going your way but not knowing what to look for could leave you thinking that it was much smoother than it really was. One of the worst mistakes you can make is in thinking you can get to the location of the interview in plenty of time only to be wrong about the location or misjudge the amount of traffic you have to contend with. If you are late for your interview, you will probably not be able to do or say anything that will change the interviewer’s initial impression of you and it won’t be a good one. Know ahead of time where you are going, how long it will take you to get there, and give yourself some extra time “just in case”.
Don’t Talk too Much
Letting your nerves take over can cause you to keep talking well after you have answered a question. You should never be responsible for more than 40% of the conversation. Make sure you give complete answers and then stop talking.
Pay Attention to the Interviewer’s Behavior
Watch what the interviewer is doing. If he is watching the clock or fidgeting with other things, you might not make it to the next level. You should also take not if the interviewer stops the interview to answer the phone or to respond to someone else for any reason. This is an indication of poor social skills and you may not want to work for someone with this type of behavior.
Some interviewers keep the process going for hours without having the consideration to offer bathroom breaks or to give a snack or drink of water. This may also be an indication of what working for them will be like.
Respond to their Questions and their Questioning Technique
If the interviewer seems to be reading off a list of questions for you to answer without varying in the least, it is up to you to elaborate on the answers that are most important. If he asks you about where you have worked previously, mention your duties that would apply to this position as well. Make it a point to leave them with the impression that you are the right person for the job.
Sometimes an interviewer may mention that they have had several people who have quit the position you are applying for after only a short period. They may be interested in your assurances that you are looking for a permanent position. You should also be concerned with the reason that so many people have been dissatisfied with the job. Don’t hesitate in asking the reason that the other employees have left.
Do Your Research Before the Interview
Learn as much as possible about the company and the specific job that you will be interviewing for. Make sure that they are not in any financial trouble which could spell big problems for you in the near future. Make sure the interviewer knows that you have researched the company by letting them know you have information about them.
Author Resource:
Bela K. is a job writer and contributor to job sites like http://ctwebguy.com and http://2-ct.com.
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