In this post, I will give you 17 dos and donts during job interview. If you have a job interview coming up for any role or any organization, the interview tips that I’m about to give you going to make a massive difference to your performance at your job interview and just very quickly.
Let’s get straight into the presentation.
Do get your answer ready
Number one, do make sure you get your answer ready to the first interview question. Tell me about yourself. Now, most people get hit by interview nerves at the start of their job interview. But a great way to quickly overcome any anxiety or interview jitters is to make sure you prepare your answer to the question. Tell me about yourself, because if you can’t answer this question with confidence, it sets you up nicely for the rest of your interview. Here’s a great example Answer to the interview question. Here we go.
- I am a dedicated, hard working professional who takes great pride in the work I do for my employer.
- Now, being someone who already has the skills and qualities needed in this role, I am confident I can quickly have a positive impact in your team over the years.
- I have worked in several positions that have prepared me for this role.
- I have a proven track record of achievement. For example, in my last job, I helped the company increase sales by recommending different ways to my manager that the company could advertise its products and services more effectively online outside of work.
- I keep myself fit and active, which in turn enables me to maintain optimum concentration levels when I am at work.
- People have often described me as trustworthy and reliable, a great team worker and someone who is not afraid to take on challenges that are outside of my comfort zone.
- If you do employ me, I will work hard to help the company beat its closest competitors and I will strive to continually improve in the position.
That’s a fantastic answer to that first interview question. Tell me about yourself.
Do read the job description
Number two, do read the job description before you attend your interview. Now, the job description tells you that different skills and qualities the interviewer is looking for. Now, if you know the skills and qualities needed for the job you’ve applied for, you can easily answer the interview question. What are your strengths? Now, all you need to do is align your strengths with those listed on the job description.
Don’t be negative about former employers
Number three, don’t be negative about former employers or co-workers. Now a surefire way to fail your interview is to talk negatively about your previous employer. Now, lots of candidates do this because they feel their employer treated them poorly. They had a bad boss or the work environment was toxic. However, it is essential that you come across in your interview as a positive and friendly collaborator who can easily fit into their team so when the interviewer says to you, Why do you want to leave your job? Say this, I want to leave my job because I am seeking a fresh challenge with a different team where I can put my experience, skills and expertise to good use. I’ve loved working for my employer, but I am now ready for a change with hopefully your company in this role.
Do research the company
Number four, do make sure you research the company before your job interview. Now, a simple yet highly effective way to impress at your job interview is to research their company. My advice is to look at their website, check out their social media pages and look into their products and services. Now, by researching their company, it will enable you to answer the interview questions. Why do you want to work for us and what do you know about our company?
Don’t say the pay or benefits
Number five, don’t ever say the pay or the benefits are what made you apply for the position now when the hiring manager says to you, Why do you want this job? Don’t mention the pay or the perks. Instead, give an answer that shows you want the job for reasons that allow you to work in a positive environment and that will enable you to achieve your goals. Here’s a brilliant example answer to the tough interview question, why do you want this job? Here we go.
- I want this job because my research tells me you have a great company.
- Culture and working environment, and you support your staff to be the best versions of themselves possible.
- I want this job because I feel I can make a big difference to the team in the role and I will be able to add value to your company.
- Job satisfaction is very important to me and I believe I will be very happy in this position for many years to come.
Do dress professionally
Number six, do make sure you dress professionally for your job interview. Now, regardless of the job you are applying for, make an effort in your appearance it. Say so much about your intentions, and it also tells the interviewer you have high standards. For example, if I turned up to a job interview dress like below, would you hire me? Probably not. So make an effort in your appearance. Make sure you dress professionally because it will make a big difference.
Do have smart questions
Number seven, do make sure you have three small questions ready to ask at the end of your job interview. Now, there is a strong possibility the hiring manager will say to you at the end of your interview. Do you have any questions for us? Now this is your chance to show the interviewer you want to work for their company. You want it to succeed. And you are a small person who they should seriously consider hiring.
Let me now give you three great questions to ask. At the end of your interview.
- Question number one, what advice would you give to the successful candidate who wants to excel in the role?
- Question number two, what would you need me to concentrate on in the first 30 days of starting? That’s a great question.
- Question number three, what are the next steps of the process and when could I contact you to find out the results of my interview?
Do not slouch
Number eight, do not slouch in the interview chair. This is really poor because if you do slouch in the interview chair, it gives the impression you are lazy and you lack discipline. Make sure you sit upright in the interview chair smile and be confident in your abilities.
Don’t nerves
Number nine, don’t let nerves get the better of you. Now, one of the reasons why so many people fail interviews is because nerves get the better of them. Now, one way to overcome interview nerves is to start treating the interview as a meeting between you and a potential employer. Now, the word interview makes you feel nervous so by treating it as a meeting which at the end of the day, that’s all it is will help you regain control of your feelings.
Don’t have any weakness
Number 10. Don’t ever say in an interview you don’t have any weaknesses, so during your job interview, you will need to answer the tough interview question. What is your biggest weakness? It is essential you do actually give a weakness. Here’s a great response. What’s your biggest weakness? I would say my biggest weakness is the fact that I’m not very good yet at talking in front of large groups of people. I get quite nervous, and I forget what it is I want to say. However, this is an area I would genuinely like to improve in, and if there are any opportunities for me to give presentations in this role, I would love to give it a try.
Practice your answers
Number 11 do make sure you practice your answers before the interview. Now, one of the best ways to get ready for your job interview is to sit down in front of a friend or relative, or even in front of a mirror, and practice your answers to the questions that are most likely to come up during your job interview. Now there are 10 common questions that feature during all job interviews. Here they are.
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What do you know about our company?
- Why should we hire you?
- What are your strengths?
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Why do you want to leave your job?
- How would you handle conflict with a co-worker?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Do you have any questions for us now?
Read through your resume
Number 12. Do make sure you read through your CV or resume before the interview. Now, at the start of your job interview, the hiring manager might ask you to read through your resume. They might say, Walk me through your resume. Therefore, it’s a great idea to not only familiarize yourself with the document, but you can also take a copy along with you to the interview so you can refer to it.
Don’t say you are good without evidence
Number 13. Don’t say you are good at something without being able to back it up with evidence, what do I mean by that? Well, anybody can say during their interview, they are a good team worker or they are great at solving problems, but not everybody can back up their claims with evidence so if you want to stand out during your job interview, make sure you have previous examples ready of where you have worked as part of a team and solved a difficult problem at work. Because if you give the hiring manager examples of these under other important workplace competencies, you are far more likely to get hired.
Don’t rush your answers
Number 14. Don’t rush your answers. Now there is a tendency when we are nervous to speak quickly, we rush our answers because we want the interview to be over. Now this is a mistake. Calm yourself down. Think before you give your answer to the question and then speak in a calm and controlled manner. Because when you slow down, it puts you across as a confident and self-assured person.
Say you are a flexible and adaptable person
Number 15. Do make sure you say during your interview that you are a flexible and adaptable person. This is a great one. Now, one of the things the hiring manager will look for from the successful candidates is flexibility and adaptability. If you can show the hiring manager, you are willing to put in extra hours or make yourself available to come into work at short notice when needed. You are again far more likely to get hired.
Do show good manners
Number 16. Do always show good manners throughout the interview. Now, good manners are rarely utilized during job interviews, but they are a great way to impress the hiring manager so be polite to the receptionist when you turn up for your interview. Don’t sit down in the interview chair until invited to do so, and at the start of the interview, say thank you for being given the opportunity to be interviewed for the job so good manners will go a long way to helping you get the job you deserve.
Do follow up
Number 17. Do make sure you follow up once you get home after the interview, so one of the best ways to give a good impression is to send a thank you email to the hiring manager. Once you get home from your interview, here’s what to send.
Dear Sir, Madam, thank you for giving me the chance to be interviewed for the position today. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and learning more about your company. I would very much love to work for your organization, and if you need any further information to help you make a decision. Please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards, Justin Blake.
So there are 17 dos and donts during job interview. Really important tips. Great tips that will help you be the standout candidate at your job interview. Now, if you want to accelerate your learning even further and you want to beat all of the competition at your interview, head through to my website, kareerberry.com.
Thank you very much for reading, and I wish you all the best for passing your interview.