Attending Interviews? What You Need To Remember
By Selipha Kihagi
Attending interviews is usually the second step towards getting the job; the first is usually the application. So, now that you have already aced through the first step all you will need to do is impress the interviewer and recruiter. The most effective way of doing this is by being well prepared; knowing everything you need to know about the job.
However, even the most prepared of job candidates can slip when attending interviews and this could be brought about by a number of reasons. Think about that time you were in an exam room and didn’t know the answer to a particular question. You know you read it, you remember reading it, but somehow you can’t find the answer. It happens.
So, to avoid being that candidate that doesn’t even remember their name or why they applied for the job, here are a few things to remember.
What To Have In Mind When Attending Interviews
1. How you communicate will matter…a lot
Did you mention you have good or great or excellent communication skills? Well you will need to match that during the interview. Every job today requires that you can communicate well, which means the interviewer will be on the lookout for exactly that. From the minute you say hello to how you answer the question, the interviewer will judge every step.
Practise so you don’t end up as that job seeker who recruiters and interviewers say, “She/he was well qualified for the job, but her/his communication skills need work.” This might be grounds for rejection.
2. Being anxious will be your worst interview mistake
Anxiety is the worst nightmare job candidates have to deal with. Some can control it and fake calmness for the time they will be at the interview, but to others it becomes their best enemy. When attending interviews, you cannot afford to be nervous. Even when it is common and expected by interviewers, you have to make sure it doesn’t ruin your chances.
A good strategy that works against anxiety is to focus on addressing questions asked rather than impressing the interviewer. Think about the interview as a conversation and forget about what the interviewer thinks of you for a minute. You did your research well, what could go wrong? Oh and only have positive thoughts.
3. Yes, your appearance matters
You probably have come across various articles telling you to forget about your dress code and focus on what you know. Well, this advice is not entirely true, and since you do not know the interviewer at a personal level or have any inside information, you should focus on looking your best.
From your hair down to your shoes and the bag you carry, the interviewer should see a professional. This does not mean you dress up in a suit; some jobs are not usually that official, it means you look presentable depending on the position.
4. Truth wins over lying, all the time
When attending interviews, recruiters and employers want you to tell the truth and will be looking out for the lies you tell. It won’t matter how small the lie is, if something you say does not match up to what is in your CV or does not convince the interviewer as being true, you won’t be getting that job.
Sometimes it is good to tell half truths, you know, things like saying you “left a former job to seek better opportunities” while the truth is you couldn’t stand your boss or coworkers. Interviewers don’t want to hire people who hated their jobs, so keep this at bay. But avoid at all costs telling lies. Oh, and being anxious can make you seem as if you are lying so try and control that.
Job interviews are just an assessment of how qualified you are for a position, but this does not mean you should be overly scared. Take it as a conversation and do your research well.
Got any queries? How about you leave a comment below?