When was the last time you went on a job interview? Did it turn out to be a positive or negative experience?
For countless job seekers, the interview can prove both exciting and nerve-wracking. As a result, some people nail their interviews and others feel as if it is one more nail for their coffin.
So that your job interview experiences don’t end up getting the better of you, prepare as much as possible.
No, this does not mean for weeks on end. That said don’t try either to do well on the spur-of-the-moment at an interview.
By taking the appropriate amount of time to plan things out, you will be better off in the long run. This holds true even if you do not get the job you seek this time around.
So, are you ready to nail your next job interview?
Put Yourself in a Position to Win
So that you can put yourself in a position to win with any interviews you go on, remember these three tips:
1. Knowledge
What company wants to hire someone who is not knowledgeable about their brand? If you answered, zero companies; give yourself a pat on the back.
By taking time to research each company you interview with, you can better excel.
Although you are not expected to know every intimate detail about a business, you need to know the basics. Understanding what they do, how it impacts the local and/or national markets etc. is important.
Before your scheduled interview, review the company’s website. Get to know their mission statement, key players, and their products and services. When an interviewer fires questions at you, you’ll be better prepared to answer them.
2. Expectations
Go into any interview prepared to answer any questions they throw at you.
One that oftentimes comes up is what kind of salary and health benefits you’re expecting to find.
By having a grasp of data on the average salaries nationwide, you’re better to know your worth to someone. The same is true in that you can figure out if a company is low-balling you with their offer.
With health benefits, they can be all over the board. This is especially given the recent turmoil with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Depending on the size of a company, they may or may not have to offer employee benefits.
Given how expensive medical visits can be, you may go for a little lesser salary and more benefits.
3. Attention
From attention to how you dress and act to being on time, make sure your interview goes off without a hitch.
You oftentimes hear job interview coaches say the same things over and over again. The reason for that is because they ring so true.
Simple acts like:
· Get to your interview at least 10-15 minutes ahead of time. This way you’re not feeling rushed, especially if traffic is bad.
· Don’t be applying makeup in the car or using an electric razor on the drive over. Get up a little earlier in the day and prepare the way you want to look.
· In doing research on a company, ask some interesting questions about the business. When they ask you if you have any questions, saying no is akin to saying you’re not all that interested in the position.
You never know when the next job offer will come your way.
That said you can improve your odds of getting the position you want when you nail your interview.