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3. Practice
Practice, practice, practice…I can’t emphasize this enough. Before your
interview you should practice interviewing by reciting your employment history aloud.
List the key items you intend to impart to the employer, set questions to those
items, and recite the questions and answers in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable
your responses with error.
Mock interview – Have a friend or family member draft questions relevant to the company for which you are interviewing and have that person(s) conduct a mock interview of you. A mock interview will enable you to practice your interview skills in front of a live person(s) and hone your interview skills.
4. Dress to Make a Good First Impression.
You never have a second chance to make a
first impression. If you have questions about how to dress for an interview, remember,
conservative is always best. If you are interviewing for an office job, it is usually
best to wear a dark-colored, conservative suit (for both men and women). If you are
interviewing for a job where the dress code is more casual (at a factory or a construction
site, for example), nice slacks and a collared button-down shirt with a tie for men
and a nice dress or blouse and slacks or skirt for women are usually appropriate.
You should avoid wearing excessive jewelry, perfume, and flamboyant clothes. Good
personal hygiene is also important. If you are unsure what to wear, you should always
go with the most conservative, professional option. Most experts agree it is better
to be overdressed than dressed too casually. What you are wearing tells employers
a lot about how serious you are about getting the job.
5. Be Conscious of Good Interview Etiquette.
This list could go on forever – there
is literally an endless array of “do’s” and “don’ts” for an interview – and not everyone
agrees on every aspect of that list. There are, however, some basic “interview etiquette”
tips that are important to remember. Be on time for your interview. This is, perhaps,
the most important. Employers expect employees to arrive on time to work. They may
see a person who is late to an interview, when he or she is supposed to be showing
his or her best side, as someone who will have difficulty arriving on time to work
or meeting deadlines if hired. (Visit the State of California’s website at http://www.worksmart.ca.gov/success_tips_menu.html)
Be aware of your body language. When shaking hands, make sure your grip is firm and confident. Have good posture, but avoid appearing like you’re as stiff as a cardboard cutout. Even the most experienced professionals get nervous in an interview – it’s normal. However, if you appear too nervous, the interviewer might draw the wrong conclusions about your ability to do the job – especially if it involves interacting with people! Conversely, make sure you don’t slouch because this could give the impression that you are lazy or uninterested in the position. Maintain eye contact with your interviewer to convey confidence. When speaking, be polite and professional and avoid using slang and profanities. The more confident and polished you appear the more likely you are to leave the interviewer with a positive impression of you.
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