March 6, 2017
Whenever you need to prepare for a job interview, how many outfits do you try on before finally picking one? How many times have you debated about which “greatest weakness” you should reveal to your hiring manager? If you’re reading this article, then you’re probably worried about an upcoming job interview or trying to prepare yourself for the future.
It’s nothing to be ashamed about because it can be incredibly (and unnecessarily) nerve-wracking to have to prove your “company fit,” your abilities, and your competence in just a thirty-minute to an hour meeting.
Well, have no fear. Here are some tips to get you presentation-perfect for your next job interview:
Even if you’re applying for a job without specific uniform requirements, you should still, as they say, “dress for success.” Also, even if “smart-casual” fashion is trending, professional attire is still basic etiquette for interviews. Before you even open your mouth and say hello, your hiring manager is going to see how you’re dressed. Naturally, you’re going to want to look like you tried.
Put away your distressed denim jeans, any short shorts, or low-cut tops. Instead, opt for nice, neutral slacks, a clean blazer, and a proper top – and by proper, this means something that’s not a half shirt, too revealing, or is adorned with inappropriate, nude photos. However, just because you’re dressed properly, that doesn’t mean you have to look boring. According to Forbes, it’s a good idea to wear a subtle fashion statement. Wearing an interesting necklace, for example, can be your way to building rapport through fun conversations.
Arriving 30 minutes early is better than arriving 2 minutes late. Plan ahead and make sure you have enough leeway to travel to your interview. It’s difficult to predict traffic, emergencies, or accidents but you should still be willing to go out of your way to be on time. And, if you do have a good excuse to be late or to cancel, make sure you let the employer know at least 24 hours ahead of time (if possible). Overall, be on time! Punctuality shows initiative, maturity, commitment, and most importantly, reliability.
From the minute you meet the interviewers to the minute you walk out the door, make sure your body language is professional, open, and positive. A good way to impress with body language is to start off the interview by offering a firm, confident handshake when you say hello. In fact, to be even more impressive, you should use your left hand (the hand you’re not using to shake hands with) to cradle the handshake.
So basically, shake hands with both hands! It’s not something everyone does and it shows a genuine pleasure to meet the person. And as usual, make sure not to slouch, be calm, don’t fidget, and maintain eye contact throughout the interview. As an article on Monster says: nonverbal communication is incredibly important because “you could be saying how great you are, but your body could be giving your true feelings away.”
Make sure to do your research on the company before you show up to an interview. Although you have the skills to do the job, it’s important and impressive to know a company’s mission statement, how the company operates, and to come up with questions for your hiring managers. (Always ask questions when they ask you!)
Doing all of this will show companies that you’re genuinely interested in the job, and your research can also help you develop specific reasons to explain why you would be an asset to their team.
Similar to body language, how you present yourself, your tone, and your answers is crucial to impressing your hiring manager. For example, when they ask you questions like: “What are you strengths and weaknesses?” or “Can you tell me a bit about yourself?” A good rule of thumb is to speak clearly and respectfully. You don’t want to come off as fake or overly confident. You also don’t want to sound apathetic or cliché. If anything, being honest about yourself is the best way to go, as long as you don’t reach the point where you’re revealing overly personal information.
The answers you’ll find online to these questions are usually overused and impersonal. So, because you should already know that 90% of employers will probably ask one of these 2 questions, why not spend some serious time thinking about it? It is important that you answer these questions well because they are meant to show your level of self-awareness. How well do you understand yourself? What have you learned from your experiences? Are you capable of growing more within the company? If you seem like you haven’t thought about this or that you just don’t care, then the company may not hire you.
So, to answer the question: “Who are you supposed to be at a job interview?” You’re really supposed to be a more confident and professional version of yourself. Go into the interview believing that you have are a valuable asset to any team, and prove it to them in the way you carry yourself.
