We can all agree that job interviews can be quite nerve wrecking. It does not matter whether it is your first ever interview or your 50th interview, fact remains that you can never be too used to or ready for any kind of job interview.
Job interviews can be an overwhelming experience, whether you’re a student, graduate, mid-career professional or even an experienced professional.
Start 2023 with a bang as you ace your job interviews following this career guide tips from Indeed, a worldwide employment website for job listings:
Being unprepared
You would be surprised to know that many job candidates still attend interviews without adequate preparation. Unfortunately, hiring managers are able to tell when a candidate has not prepared for the job interview. The lack of preparation only demonstrates their laziness and disinterest in the organisation and position, lowering their chances of success.
Indeed suggests that you:
- Read up on the organisation’s background, competitors and place in the market
- Plan your route to the interview location the day before
- Line up questions to ask the interviewer
- Practise your responses to commonly asked interview questions
Dressing inappropriately
A lot of hiring managers are usually not too fussy with how you dress for the interview, as long as you look neat and presentable. Therefore, there is no need to experiment with a new hairstyle, clothing or makeup in hopes to impress your interviewers. Take time to choose your outfit, ensuring your clothes are clean and freshly ironed. It’s advisable to dress formally in a suit, pants suit, skirt suit or suit dress to appear professional and well-groomed.
It is also advised to take some time to check out the company’s social media page just to get an idea of the dress code and try to match it.
Talking too much or too little
It is very easy to go off on a tangent, ramble or not speak at all when you are nervous. Rather take some time and gather your thoughts before you respond to questions.
Arriving late
Showing up late for your interview significantly lowers your chances of getting the job, as you don’t get enough time to settle in and collect yourself. In unforeseen circumstances where you are running late for the interview, report yourself to the hiring manager or whoever you have been in communication with. To avoid being late, ensure that you leave home early so that you can arrive at the interview venue too early rather than late.
Critising your previous employer and colleagues
This will do nothing for you, instead it will lower your chances of being successful in your job interview. Indeed says that this will show the interviewer your inability to act professionally in difficult situations and highlights your lack of collaboration and teamwork skills
Also see: Generation Z are more diverse confident and tech-savvy but unprepared for workplaces
