How To Ace An Interview
What is An Interview?
An interview is a structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides answers. In common parlance, the word “interview” refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee.
How To Ace An Interview
- Be on time.
- Know the interviewer’s name, its spelling, and pronunciation.
- Have some questions of your own prepared in advance.
- Bring several copies of your resume.
- Have a reliable pen and a small note pad with you.
- Greet the interviewer with a handshake and a smile.
- Don’t be embarrassed if you are nervous.
- Focus.
- Tell the truth.
- Listen carefully to the interviewer.
- Never slight a teacher, friend, employer, or your university.
- Watch your grammar.
- Be prepared for personal questions.
- Wait for the interviewer to mention salary and benefits.
- Don’t expect a job offer at the first interview.
- Close on a positive, enthusiastic note.
- No interview is complete until you follow up with a thank-you note.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I introduce myself in an interview?
Your introduction in an interview should be succinct and last around 1 to 2 minutes. Provide your name, educational background, relevant work experience, key skills, and strengths. Convey your career objective and express gratitude for the opportunity.
Why do you apply for this job?
When asked why you want the job, you can then talk about how you want to help them on their mission to achieve certain goals or that you are aligned with some of their core company values. If you have any industry-specific knowledge that applies to this role, that can be a plus, but it’s not a deal breaker.
What is the best answer for Tell me about yourself?
Your answer to the “tell me about yourself” question should describe your current situation, your past job experience, the reason you’re a good fit for the role, and how you align with the company values. Tell the interviewer about your current position and a recent big accomplishment or positive feedback you received.
What is your greatest weakness?
Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you’re applying to and by stressing exactly how you’re practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.
How to dress for an interview?
When in doubt, go conservative. You should wear a suit to interviews. “Suit” means the works: a matching jacket and pants, dress shirt, tie, coordinating socks and dress shoes. A dark-colored suit with light colored shirt is your best option.
How do you say I don’t know in an interview?
You can say something along the lines of, “I haven’t dealt with a situation like that before, but I would start by asking these questions…” You could also try something like, “That concept or situation is new to me. I’ll have to look into it a bit more.” Never brush off the question or start rambling.
What are your salary expectations?
You can try to skirt the question with a broad answer, such as, “My salary expectations are in line with my experience and qualifications.” Or, “If this is the right job for me, I’m sure we can come to an agreement on salary.” This will show that you’re willing to negotiate. Offer a range.
Can I bring notes to an interview?
It’s acceptable to bring notes with you to an interview if the notes contain the questions you plan to ask your interviewer. You might also include questions about the company that you were unable to answer through your research.