A successful or unsuccessful interview all depends on you; it’s basically how you sell yourself to your interviewer. It is common knowledge that the best candidate doesn’t always get the job, but the candidate who sells himself best does.
So what can you do wrong or right in an interview that could make you get that dream job or lose it?
These nine tips would go a long way, if best put to use.
1. BE EARLY
There is no excuse for arriving late to a job interview. Lateness could make you become nervous and uncoordinated. Arriving early would help you get settled.
2. DRESS FOR THE JOB
From the moment you step through the door, it’s your dressing that would sell you first, before you even utter a word. If you are wrongly dressed for the job then you can as well say ‘au revoir’ to that dream job.
You ought to know the kind of dress that’s well suited to the job and the company’s culture. Interviewers are inclined to be more interested in a candidate that’s properly dressed. Dress for the job and dress good. Remember, an interview isn’t just about what you say; it’s about how you sell yourself.
3. AVOID OVER FAMILIARITY
It’s an interview; an interview is a professional meeting and must stay so. Trying to get too familiar with your interviewer would pass the wrong message and sell you short. Match your familiarity levels with the one created by the interviewer; be in synch with his demeanour.
4. YOUR BODY LANGUAGE MATTERS
Just as your verbal communication matters, your non-verbal communication matters as well, and your body language is an important part of your non-verbal communication.
Poor body language could ensure you aren’t hired. Poor body language includes slouching, fidgeting, chewing gum, stamping your feet or hand, looking away, keeping hands akimbo.
However, good body language includes good sitting posture, good eye contact, smiling, listening and nodding.
5. YOUR VERBAL LANGUAGE
What you say and how you say it matters in an interview, and good verbal language would also help you win the interviewer’s heart. Some rules you should observe here are: avoid talking too fast rather talk calmly, as this would show confidence; also, don’t talk too much, avoid the use of slangs and inappropriate words.
6. BE CONFIDENT, NOT COCKY
Interviewers warm up to confident candidates, but the same cannot be said of a cocky candidate. No matter how good you are, being too cocky could sell you short. Be confident in yourself and your abilities while presenting yourself, and as well, be modest and professional.
7. ASK INSIGHTFUL QUESTIONS
One mistake many candidates make is avoiding to ask questions, even when the interviewer asks “any question?” Rather than remain mute or come up with the usual no, ask meaningful and insightful questions.
Studies have shown that employers make judgement about an applicant’s interest in the job by whether they ask questions or not.
8. LISTEN
Listening is an essential part of an interview. Meaningful messages are heard and understood when you listen. When you listen, you understand the questions better and know how to answer them. Listening is an important aspect of communication.
9. DON’T BE DESPERATE
Never ever be desperate. Desperation sells you short and takes off every charisma, charm and confidence you have. Rather than selling yourself short with desperation, be cool, calm and confident.
Remember, it’s not the best candidate that always get the job, but the one who sells himself best.
Jake