You’ve been scheduled for a job interview, congratulations!
You get this one chance to make the best first impression possible. As the saying goes, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. What are some of the things you should do, and what are the some of the things you should avoid doing during the interview?
Here are a few do’s and don’ts that will help you make the best impact during the interview.
Interview Do’s:
- DO arrive on time. Plan to get there between 10 to 15 minutes early.
- DO smile and show enthusiasm for the opportunity. This tells the interviewer that you are confident and interested in the job.
- DO listen carefully. Pay full attention to what the interviewer is saying or asking.
- DO pay attention to body language. Sit upright with both feet on the ground. When asked a question, lean forward a bit while keeping your shoulders back.
- DO maintain eye contact. This is how the interviewer knows you are focused and listening.
- DO provide thorough responses. Explain how your qualities and experience are a good fit for the position and will be beneficial to the company.
- DO share relevant personal information if it fits the tone of the interview. This can help you connect with the interviewer.
Interview Don’ts:
- DON’T arrive unprepared. You should have researched the company and the position beforehand.
- DON’T show up to the interview in casual clothing. Experts agree that you should always dress up a bit.
- DON’T answer phone calls during the interview. Your cell phone should be turned off and kept out of site.
- DON’T speak poorly about prior employers or co-workers. Making negative comments will make a bad impression.
- DON’T interrupt the interviewer. Doing so will make you appear rude.
- DON’T rush through the interview. Take your time to answer questions thoughtfully and concisely.
- DON’T lie or make false statements. The odds are high that the interviewer will discover the truth, and it’s just not worth it.
For more helpful interview advice, please read our article Ten Fatal Interviewing Mistakes and follow our interview tips. You can also follow us on Pinterest, and Like us on Facebook!
Written by: Melissa Bushman
Investing in a Lifetime of Success,
Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
Are you considering a career change? If so, sign up for our Job Seeker email course which provides valuable insight into how to become more competitive in the marketplace.