Top 14 job interview tips
Here are top 14 job interview tips, I hope that you enjoy it 1. Research. Knowing a thing or two about your potential employerwill assis...
http://azinterviewquestions.blogspot.com/2018/08/top-14-job-interview-tips.html
Here are top 14 job interview tips, I hope that you enjoy it
1. Research.
Knowing a thing or two about your potential employerwill assist you in the interview. It will help you to tailor your responses and to show you are keen. Spend some time reading the corporate website at least.
2. Use Social Sweepster To Clean Your Facebook & Twitter
Nowadays, 91% of employers search your social media for any red flags. While most people tell you to watch every single thing you upload, there’s a much easier solution. Use Social Sweepster, an app that detects pictures of red solo cups, beer bottles, and other “suspicious” objects. It even detects profanity from your past posts! Now, that’s f%$king awesome!
“Too many recruiters reject candidate because of something they found on their social platforms” Social Sweepster CEO Tom McGrath says. “We help you create the first impression on your own terms.”
3. Craft Your “Story Statement”
Though most interviews start with the same prompt (“tell me about yourself” or “walk me through your resume”), we blow it off with boring answers like:
I studied [major X] because I really care about making a difference in [industry Y] as you can see through my last job at [company Z]…
This answer is like tearing out the first 200 pages of your autobiography. You leave out everything that gives meaning to why you want this job in the first place. What was your moment of epiphany? How did your childhood influence you? Why does this job move you? Most people don’t answer these questions. They start and end with their professional experience, leaving little to inspire the interviewer.
4. Wear a Subtle Fashion Statement
We already know dressing well makes a difference. But what if we took our attention to detail a step further? That’s exactly what Morgan Stanley analyst Julio German Arias Castillo did for his interviews.
“Wear something that represents your culture or background,” he says. “In my case, I always wear a pin of the Panamanian flag on my suit lapel. Most of my interviewers ask about it so it becomes a chance to discuss my upbringing and love of my homeland.”
Julio created a conversation starter with his clothing. Depending on the company, you can be more playful: wear a bracelet from your recent travels to India, a tie with a quirky pattern, or — if you can pull it off — a small mockingjay pin if you’re a Hunger Games fan. As long as it’s subtle and tasteful, your fashion statement can build rapport through fun conversations about your hometown or mutual love for Katniss Everdeen.
5. Mirror the interviewer's body language
The "chameleon effect" is a psychological phenomenon that describes how people tend to like each other more when they're exhibiting similar body language.
Body language expert Patti Wood says that, ideally, it should look like you're "dancing" with the other person. Otherwise it can seem like you're not interested in what they're saying, you're not a team player, or even that you're lying.
So if your interviewer is leaning forward in his chair and putting his hands on the table, feel free to do the same. Chances are he won't notice that you're copying him.
6. ListenSelect real-life examples that display key hiring traits.
One of the biggest complaints made by hiring managers is when a candidate seems "all talk." Candidates who prove they have the desired skills fair better in the interview process. Identify the top desired traits for a role and prepare examples that clearly demonstrate your experience and abilities.
From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.
7. Don't talk too much
Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may ramble when answering interview questions, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that information.
8. Don't be too familiar
The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.
9. Prepare for The “What’s Your Weakness?” Question
Most people overthink this question and give a canned answer like “I’m too much of a perfectionist!” Others give a genuine answer but still fall short of what this question is really asking. It’s not about admitting your weaknesses. It’s about showing how you overcome them. What systems have you put in place? What progress have you made? Include those thoughts to strengthen your answer.
Example:
Weak: “My weakness is that I struggle to run efficient meetings…”
Strong: “I sometimes struggle to run efficient meetings. But I’ve worked to improve by drafting an agenda before every meeting, sending it to all participants, and then following up with a recap and clear action items so everyone knows what to do moving forward.”
10. Match the interviewer's tone
However, just because you killed the beginning and end of the interview doesn't mean you can ignore your tone during the middle.
Unfortunately, introverts can sometimes come across as bored, standoffish, distant, unenthusiastic, and so on. We're not trying to — from our perspective, we're calm and thoughtful.
To make sure this discrepancy doesn't happen during an interview, subtly copy the interviewer. Is she using lots of gestures? Amp up your own motions. Is he telling jokes? Give your answers some levity. Is her tone professional and courteous? Follow suit.
Here's a hack: It also helps if you mirror his or her body language— without going overboard, of course.
If you take your cues from the person you're speaking with, you're almost guaranteed to hit the proper note.
11. Mention that you're introverted
Tons of people are introverted; in fact, your interviewer may be an introvert as well! Hiding the fact you are one can land you in an office where you're not a good fit. (Imagine working at a company where every single task is accomplished in a team. Scary, right?)
The key is to highlight the positive aspects of your introverted nature.
Let's say the hiring manager asks, "What's your greatest strength?"
You can reply along the lines of, "As an introvert, I've discovered that I'm a natural listener and observer. It's second nature for me to seek out pain points or obstacles that others are facing. Once I've gathered enough information, I'm ready to make a thoughtful and impactful contribution."
12. Ask questions
When asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer. Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions that demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what you're asked during the interview and asking for additional information.
13. Focus your best efforts in the beginning and at the end
Research has shown interviewers form their first impressions of you in just seconds.
And as an introvert, that snap judgment actually plays to our advantage. If I walk in with an enthusiastic smile, a confident handshake, and a friendly, "Hi! I'm Aja," then the interviewer instantly classifies me as "enthusiastic, confident, and friendly" — and I'd have to work pretty hard to alter his or her initial impression.
Similarly, you want to end on a high note. Most interviewers try to summarize their thoughts as quickly as they can after you leave the room; the more time goes on, the less accurately they'll remember the interview. So you want their last impression of you to be as awesome as the first.
Flash a big smile, say, "It was great to meet you, and thank you so much for this opportunity," and give them another firm handshake.
14 Email a Personalized Thank You Note
Thank your interviewer within 24 hours of finishing. It not only shows your gratitude, it also combats recency bias if you interviewed early. Not to mention, it opens the door for dialogue even if you don’t get the job. Sometimes, recruiters reach back out on the same email thread months later, mentioning new job opportunities.
1. Research.
Knowing a thing or two about your potential employerwill assist you in the interview. It will help you to tailor your responses and to show you are keen. Spend some time reading the corporate website at least.
2. Use Social Sweepster To Clean Your Facebook & Twitter
Nowadays, 91% of employers search your social media for any red flags. While most people tell you to watch every single thing you upload, there’s a much easier solution. Use Social Sweepster, an app that detects pictures of red solo cups, beer bottles, and other “suspicious” objects. It even detects profanity from your past posts! Now, that’s f%$king awesome!
“Too many recruiters reject candidate because of something they found on their social platforms” Social Sweepster CEO Tom McGrath says. “We help you create the first impression on your own terms.”
3. Craft Your “Story Statement”
Though most interviews start with the same prompt (“tell me about yourself” or “walk me through your resume”), we blow it off with boring answers like:
I studied [major X] because I really care about making a difference in [industry Y] as you can see through my last job at [company Z]…
This answer is like tearing out the first 200 pages of your autobiography. You leave out everything that gives meaning to why you want this job in the first place. What was your moment of epiphany? How did your childhood influence you? Why does this job move you? Most people don’t answer these questions. They start and end with their professional experience, leaving little to inspire the interviewer.
4. Wear a Subtle Fashion Statement
We already know dressing well makes a difference. But what if we took our attention to detail a step further? That’s exactly what Morgan Stanley analyst Julio German Arias Castillo did for his interviews.
“Wear something that represents your culture or background,” he says. “In my case, I always wear a pin of the Panamanian flag on my suit lapel. Most of my interviewers ask about it so it becomes a chance to discuss my upbringing and love of my homeland.”
Julio created a conversation starter with his clothing. Depending on the company, you can be more playful: wear a bracelet from your recent travels to India, a tie with a quirky pattern, or — if you can pull it off — a small mockingjay pin if you’re a Hunger Games fan. As long as it’s subtle and tasteful, your fashion statement can build rapport through fun conversations about your hometown or mutual love for Katniss Everdeen.
5. Mirror the interviewer's body language
The "chameleon effect" is a psychological phenomenon that describes how people tend to like each other more when they're exhibiting similar body language.
Body language expert Patti Wood says that, ideally, it should look like you're "dancing" with the other person. Otherwise it can seem like you're not interested in what they're saying, you're not a team player, or even that you're lying.
So if your interviewer is leaning forward in his chair and putting his hands on the table, feel free to do the same. Chances are he won't notice that you're copying him.
6. ListenSelect real-life examples that display key hiring traits.
One of the biggest complaints made by hiring managers is when a candidate seems "all talk." Candidates who prove they have the desired skills fair better in the interview process. Identify the top desired traits for a role and prepare examples that clearly demonstrate your experience and abilities.
From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what was said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.
7. Don't talk too much
Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may ramble when answering interview questions, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that information.
8. Don't be too familiar
The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.
9. Prepare for The “What’s Your Weakness?” Question
Most people overthink this question and give a canned answer like “I’m too much of a perfectionist!” Others give a genuine answer but still fall short of what this question is really asking. It’s not about admitting your weaknesses. It’s about showing how you overcome them. What systems have you put in place? What progress have you made? Include those thoughts to strengthen your answer.
Example:
Weak: “My weakness is that I struggle to run efficient meetings…”
Strong: “I sometimes struggle to run efficient meetings. But I’ve worked to improve by drafting an agenda before every meeting, sending it to all participants, and then following up with a recap and clear action items so everyone knows what to do moving forward.”
10. Match the interviewer's tone
However, just because you killed the beginning and end of the interview doesn't mean you can ignore your tone during the middle.
Unfortunately, introverts can sometimes come across as bored, standoffish, distant, unenthusiastic, and so on. We're not trying to — from our perspective, we're calm and thoughtful.
To make sure this discrepancy doesn't happen during an interview, subtly copy the interviewer. Is she using lots of gestures? Amp up your own motions. Is he telling jokes? Give your answers some levity. Is her tone professional and courteous? Follow suit.
Here's a hack: It also helps if you mirror his or her body language— without going overboard, of course.
If you take your cues from the person you're speaking with, you're almost guaranteed to hit the proper note.
11. Mention that you're introverted
Tons of people are introverted; in fact, your interviewer may be an introvert as well! Hiding the fact you are one can land you in an office where you're not a good fit. (Imagine working at a company where every single task is accomplished in a team. Scary, right?)
The key is to highlight the positive aspects of your introverted nature.
Let's say the hiring manager asks, "What's your greatest strength?"
You can reply along the lines of, "As an introvert, I've discovered that I'm a natural listener and observer. It's second nature for me to seek out pain points or obstacles that others are facing. Once I've gathered enough information, I'm ready to make a thoughtful and impactful contribution."
12. Ask questions
When asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer. Part of knowing how to interview is being ready to ask questions that demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what you're asked during the interview and asking for additional information.
13. Focus your best efforts in the beginning and at the end
Research has shown interviewers form their first impressions of you in just seconds.
And as an introvert, that snap judgment actually plays to our advantage. If I walk in with an enthusiastic smile, a confident handshake, and a friendly, "Hi! I'm Aja," then the interviewer instantly classifies me as "enthusiastic, confident, and friendly" — and I'd have to work pretty hard to alter his or her initial impression.
Similarly, you want to end on a high note. Most interviewers try to summarize their thoughts as quickly as they can after you leave the room; the more time goes on, the less accurately they'll remember the interview. So you want their last impression of you to be as awesome as the first.
Flash a big smile, say, "It was great to meet you, and thank you so much for this opportunity," and give them another firm handshake.
14 Email a Personalized Thank You Note
Thank your interviewer within 24 hours of finishing. It not only shows your gratitude, it also combats recency bias if you interviewed early. Not to mention, it opens the door for dialogue even if you don’t get the job. Sometimes, recruiters reach back out on the same email thread months later, mentioning new job opportunities.
