Thursday, February 15, 2018

Job Interview Techniques That May Provide An Edge

By Robert Mitchell


Getting a degree or gaining valuable experience no longer automatically mean that jobs are easy to find. The world has grown tough. The economy forces companies to save costs and they subsequently hire less people. The few positions that become available are fiercely contested by numerous applicants. Applicants should therefore put a real effort into their applications. By using valuable job interview techniques they may just gain an edge over the competition.

Many people seeking jobs lament the fact that they are hardly ever invited for interviews in the first place. This often indicates that they did not create a good impression when making their initial applications. The first step is therefore to make sure that the curriculum vitae is up to date and that it addresses the needs of the potential employer. The cover letter, too, should be professional, short and directly related to the post advertised.

Proper and thorough preparation is the key to successful interviews. Getting detailed information on the prospective employer, the markets served by the company, the services and products they offer and even the personalities of key managers are easier to get than ever before. By studying the company, the prospective employee will get a very good idea of what the company culture is and this can help him during a meeting with an interviewer.

Interviewers tend to ask the same questions over and over again. There are many websites that help applicants to understand the purpose of these questions and to prepare meaningful answers in advance. During interviews, applicants that hesitate before answering questions or that struggle to formulate their responses are immediately at a disadvantage. Potential questions and the answers to them should be rehearsed several times before the meeting with the interviewer takes place.

Perhaps the single most important mistake one can possibly make is to arrive late for interviews. The chances of landing the post are very small. It is better to arrive much earlier than necessary, even if one has to while the time in a nearby coffee shop, for example. Experts agree that it is best to report for interviews fifteen minutes before the actual meeting. This allows one to relax and to mentally review the expected questions.

First impressions are important. When attending interviews, it is best not to eat or smoke before the time. It is vital to dress correctly. When welcomes by the interviewer one remains standing until a seat is indicated. Slouching and fidgeting creates a bad impression. It is also important to allow the interviewer to take control of the process. Never interrupt the interviewer and ask for clarification if necessary.

During most interviews, applicants are given the opportunity to ask questions. They should use this opportunity to show that they have done their homework. These questions should not focus on salaries and benefits, but rather on the future plans of the company, the challenges that it faces and the values that the company deems important. Questions should never be about negative aspects.

During the interview, applicants have the chance to sell themselves. Interviewers will probably not give any indication of the chances of any particular applicant. That is why it is important to thank the interviewer for the opportunity very soon after the meeting. This can be by email or, even better, a handwritten note.




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