Do Well in an Interview

The interview is often the first direct communication the candidate has with the employer. For companies, it's one of the most important steps in choosing the best applicant for an open job position. For you, the interview could be the spring-board that will fire you up to the successful start of your career. To overcome the last huge challenge before being hired, you should impress your future employers with your business-appropriate appearance and exquisite communication skills. By showing knowledge and confidence, you will convince them that they have found the right applicant.

1. 1
   Get ready

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   Most of the companies will give you enough time (usually about a month) to prepare for the interview.

    

   1. Try to find the job description. Learning the tasks you'll have to carry out will convince the employers that you're informed about the job, understand it, and will work it with confidence and fleetness. To get the accurate job description for your position you may contact the HR department or search the Internet.
   2. Do serious research about the company. It's important to find any possible information about the company for which you're applying: Historic facts, goals, market field, strategies, etc.
   3. Practice. There is nothing wrong with practicing for the interview with one or more of your friends, so go on, and do some role playing! Have your friends come up with a series of pertinent questions, and do your best to answer them on the fly.
   4. Prepare any additional documents that will help you beat the competition (any types of certificates you have, as well as your diplomas).

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2. 2
   Make direct eye contact

   !

   It is hard wired into human DNA that when we tell a lie, we avert our eyes. Making direct eye contact with your future employer can go a long way toward letting them know you are a direct person who is serious about your goals.

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3. 3
   Create a strategy

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   Before going to the interview, think about what you wish to tell the interviewers. Mark several points that best showcase your potential. The messages you convey should show your future employers how you will use your knowledge to do your job well. Although nobody is perfect, try to emphasize your ability to adapt to new situations and your desire for permanent upgrading of your skills.

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4. 4
   Dress for success

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   Your external appearance is what will make the first impression on the interviewers. You have to bet on official clothes with business bearing. For example, men should wear a suit with an appropriate tie, while women may opt for a nice shirt paired with a skirt or dress pants.

    

   1. Pay attention to your hair. It will be best to style your hair in a professional manner for the big day.
   2. Don't go heavy on the jewelry or the make-up. A little of each is fine, but you don't want your potential employer to be distracted by these things.

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5. 5
   The handshake

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   A firm handshake when introduced to your interviewer and when you leave (even if you know it didn't go so well) is very important.

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6. 6
   Don't be late

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   It won't be a good impression if you're late on the first day, right? Employees like responsible people who arrive on time.

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7. 7
   Keep to business etiquette

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   If you're hired, you'll represent the company, so the interviewers will pay a lot of attention to the way you're talking and the words you're using. Try not to use filler words such as "hmm", "like", and "well" - they reveal that you're nervous.

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8. 8
   Be relaxed

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   It's very important to show confidence and stay calm during the entire interview. This will make the company's owners believe that they have found the right person who knows how to react in different stressful situations.

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9. 9
   Be polite

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   Answer the questions carefully and make sure to say "thank you" to the interviewers. Remember, if this interview is successful, these are the people who are helping you along in your career. Thank your interviewers for the time they have spent with you and let them know that you're open for any additional questions they may have.

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• What made you apply for this position?
• What are your goals?
• Do you have skills at working in teams?
• What do you think you can do to help the company's development?
• What foreign languages do you know, and how well do you know them?
• Can you work with office equipment (printers, faxes, computers, etc.)?
• Do you have computer skills? Can you work with MS Office and the Internet?
• What were the biggest difficulties you had in your previous job?
• Why do you want to leave your current job?

The interviewers will give you the chance to ask them any questions you have as well - don't pass it by. This will make the employers understand that you're definitely interested in the position to which you're applying. Here you'll find some questions which you may ask during the interview:

• What will be my hours if you decide to hire me?
• What options for professional development do you offer?
• Will I have to cover any additional tests before hiring?
• What kind of preliminary training will I have, and where will it be implemented?
• Do you include any educational courses during the working process?
• What do I need to know about the company's policies?
• What are my chances of being hired?
• How and when will I be informed about whether I got the job?
• When can I start working if I am hired?

The resume is of utmost importance at an interview; it is your way to get your qualifications out there and is basically a summary of why you should get the job, all on one little paper. You can imagine why it is so important that your resume looks good! To write a resume, you can follow one of many free templates online, but always follow these basic rules:

1. 1
   No matter what job you are applying for, always include a cover letter!

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2. 2
   Don't lie or "beef up" your resume

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   Honesty is the best policy!

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3. 3
   Include any awards, achievements, skills, or hobbies that you have acquired

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   You may not think that it is pertinent, but even if it is not directly related to the job itself, it may be important in showing that you are the type of person that the employers should want for the job.

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• Make sure you are applying for a job which you are capable of doing. There would be nothing worse than getting hired on after a long interview process and then not being able to do the job that you're hired on for.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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