Free Job Interview Tips That Are Sure to Help During an Interview
I have some free job interview tips that I would like to share with you that have helped me to successfully find employment as a college student.
These job interview tips would work for anyone though. That is why they are called free job interview tips!
I'm sure that you have heard a lot of these things before, but maybe not! I have learned a few things over my years as a college student (having had a few jobs during most of those years) that will help you have more confidence and poise in your job interviews.
Treat this page like a cafeteria! Take and use what you want and leave what you don't. Overall though, it is your ability to do these things and how well you match what the potential employer is looking for that will get you a job.
What do I do to Prepare For the Interview?
Confidence is the number one thing that you need going into an interview, and the first of the free job interview tips.
Preparedness breeds confidence!
The better prepared you are for an interview, the more confident you will be and the better you will represent yourself! Being prepared and confident are over half the battle in an interview!
There are a couple of other free job interview tips that will help you to better prepare for the actual interview.
But, before I get to those, make sure to check the greeting on your voice mail. You want to make sure it won't botch your chances when the interviewer hears your voice mail playing your best imitation of Homer Simpson instead of a professional greeting. Make it professional and simple!
1) Have an Up to Date Resume
This is one of the things you use to sell yourself!
A good resume will say a lot about you (and not just on the paper)! List your past work experience, education, awards, degrees, qualifications, purpose statement, and anything else that is pertinent to this particular job!
This will give you an immediate boost of confidence by having a well prepared resume to hand to the interviewer.
If you have a career services office (or career placement), then you might have someone on campus who can look at your resume and give you advice about how to make it better.
Utilize these resources if they are available to you if you feel like you need to improve your resume, but aren't sure how.
2) Dress for Success
I think that this goes without saying. You need to dress nicely for the interview!
You want to show that you can be professional. Plus, when people dress for success they find that it boosts their self-image and confidence.
3) Be on Time for the Interview
This could MAKE OR BREAK your chances of being hired. If you show up late it puts a poor image on you (that you aren't dependable).
If you want to make a strong first impression, be clear in your thinking, and very confident- show up on time!
Dont' be late, don't be late, don't be late! But, if you are going to be, then call a head and tell them. Let them know you will be just a couple of minutes later than you thought.
If you plan enough time to get to the interview, then this shouldn't be problem.
4) Practice Interviewing with Someone
This is one of the free job interview tips that you can really use as a college student. The old saying remains true with interviewing as with most things, "Practice makes Perfect!"
Again, a career services office will help you here. Sometimes they have people who can do a mock interview with you. They will ask you typical interview questions.
You'll be better ready to answer those questions for real if you give some time to practicing them first.
If you don't have a career services or career placement office on campus, then practice with your roommate or another friend on campus.
Treat it as if it were a real interview.
The idea with this is that you are practicing how you would respond to different interview questions. It will probably feel a little silly at first, but it will pay off when you get to the real interview!
This will also help prevent the "I should've answered that question with this" problem. All of us know exactly what we should've said five minutes later.
5) Visit the Company's Website
This is really among the free job interview tips that are for those who are over-achievers (but remember that preparedness breeds confidence). This will help you become aqauinted with the company's values, mission, and overall outlook.
You can use this information in the interview to sell yourself! Think of ways that you can strengthen or further their mission and have those values, and then use that in the interview when they ask you to tell "a little bit about yourself".
Not to mention it will impress the interviewer!
What should I do at the Start of the Interview?
As you go into the interview there will be a few free job interview tips that you'll want to remember.
First and foremost is to be confident! I can't stress this point enough. You need to be and show confidence.
Be proud of who you are and what you can do! Take some time to identify your strengths and be ready to share them.
Second, make sure to give a solid handshake and introduce yourself by clearly stating your first and last name. So, "Hello, I am (First Name)(Last Name)!" Then, hand them a copy of your resume.
Giving a good handshake tells a lot about you, and one of the most important free job interview tips.
When I was a retail manager interviewing potential employees, someone with a weak handshake would have a weaker first impression. As odd as that sounds, it's true.
If the applicant did other things right but had a weak handshake, it almost was as if they were shouting, "I'm not really sure why I'm here."
I know that everyone is nervous before an interview, but learn to control those emotions before the interview.
Feeling nervous is normal and you can get rid of it by changing your thoughts (like thinking about your favorite vacation spot or favorite place to relax). Thinking about a funny joke that you heard recently might help calm your nerves too (but don't share it in the interview)!
Third, make good eye contact and speak clearly, completely, and firmly.
This is the free job interview tip that will show your confidence to the employer, perhaps more than any other.
But, I am not saying to have a staring contest, or that you should go the entire interview without blinking (the interviewer will really think you're odd)!
But, maintaining good eye contact, good posture, and a clear, firm voice will help promote your confidence. It will leave a lasting impression on the interviewer.
Many people today have a hard time maintaining eye contact. This is something that you can practice as you have mock interviews with someone. Get comfortable at maintaining eye contact.
A technique that will help you maintain eye contact is, instead of looking directly at their eyes, look just above their eyes near the middle of their eye brows.
This will maintain a look of eye contact, but it isn't as awkward feeling!
Just remember to look away every now and then. You aren't having a contest to see who can go the longest without blinking!
Fourth, is more a matter of good manners. Use the words please and thank you. Wait to be seated before you sit down. Be courteous through the entire interview process (remember what your mother taught you)!
These free job interview tips, if followed, will help you start your interview off confidently and having made a good first impression.
What should I Remember During the Interview?
As the interview progresses, you will be asked several questions. If you follow the free job interview tips that I gave about preparing for the interview, then you will have a concise knowledge about the company (if you visited the company's website).
Using this knowledge about the company will help you to better sell yourself to the interviewer. Knowing the company's mission statement and how you can help them achieve that mission are two things that you can share during the interview.
Most people take some pride in their work. People like true, sincere praise. The company's website will most likely show how long they've been in business, what work they specialize in, and what their focus is overall.
You can weave these elements into your answers to help add to your credibility and attitude of know how.
Be careful with your answers though. Above all else, honestly answer every question you are asked. NO EXCEPTIONS!
This is the simplest of the free job interview tips, but it can be a huge detriment to you if not followed!
Honesty is the best policy. If you share examples, then they'd better be real. Otherwise they'll just sound fake or forced (and they will hurt your chances of being hired)!
If you need clarification to questions, don't worry about asking for it! Some interviewers don't ask good questions. We all need further clarification sometimes.
Just ask if they could state the question another way or clarify it.
A few other free job interview tips, for during the interview, are when the interviewer asks you to tell a little bit about yourself. This is not a time to go into hobbies or to share what you like to do on the weekends with your friends.
When the interviewer is asking "tell me a little about yourself" you need to start selling yourself! Give your credentials- the reasons why they should hire you!
Talk about any awards, schooling, leadership, and work experience that you have.
Share what you have learned while participating in these kinds of activities. Share what you know about handling people (because good people skills are important in nearly every job).
Also, share that you are a college student and what degree you are pursuing. Share your intentions of working part-time/ full-time (whatever you choose).
Ask them if they are willing to work with your school schedule.
Ask them if they offer any benefits to part-time employees. Make sure that your intentions are clear about how much you want to work and what level of involvment you want.
What should I do at the End of the Interview?
The end of the interview is just as important as the other parts of the interview, and the free job interview tips that I will share are just as important as the others.
Time to bring it all home and get the job you want!
You can really put the "icing on the cake" if you will just do a couple of things:
1) Ask questions that you sincerely want to know the answers to
2) Offer a sincere thank you for their consideration of you as a job candidate
Asking sincere questions will help you build rappoir with the interviewer (which the other free job interview tips on this page will help you do as well, if you use them).
Make sure that these are questions that you are sincerely wondering about. If it is a forced question that you are asking just because they asked, the interviewer will pick up on this.
Ask questions like "What is a typical work day like?", "Who will I report to directly if I get the job?", "What are somethings that you find new employees struggle with and how can I avoid these issues?", "How long have you been working here?", "How do you like working for this company?", etc.
You can use these or think of others that you would like to know.
Remember, people like to talk about themselves and generally will take a certain level of pride in their work and their company. Asking for their advice and opinion is good.
However, use these questions with discretion (this advice can apply to the other free job interview tips for during the interview too).
At the end of the interview, you will have a feel for the type of person that you are dealing with and can adjust the questions you ask to the person you are talking to.
A few other things to be clear on before you leave the interview are:
-Ask when you can expect to know if you got the job (or when they will make a decision)
-Ask, "Would you mind if I followed up with you in a week if I haven't heard from you?" If you ask this question, make sure that you get direct number to the interviewer. This is usually a number on their business card, so be sure to get one.
***A free job interview tip to use to immediately distinguish you from other applicants!***
***Warning! May produce immediate job offer!!!***
This is a free interview tip to use if, and only if, the interview has gone very well(and it has produced a job offer on the spot for me)!
Ask the interviewer how he or she felt the interview had gone so far. If they tell you it has been great and they feel really good about you, then immediately ASK FOR THE JOB.
It can be simple. If they give you flying colors, then say, "Well, can I have the job?" Be simple, clear, and concise! It is bold, but it shows that you are absolutely serious about the job and will do what they need you to.
Get used to asking this in your practice interviews. Practicing will make it less awkward for you to do it in real life.
Occasionally there will be a need for a second interview. Don't worry if this is the case. Many companies do this as a screening process. If this is the case, then ask if you can schedule the second interview before you leave.
Again, remember to practice and get used to these free job interview tips before you actually use them. Mock interviews will help you here.
When the interview is finished, give a sincere thank you, a firm handshake, good eye contact, and something like, "I look forward to hearing from you" or "I look forward to meeting with you again".
How should I follow-up after the interview?
Another one of the free job interview tips I have for you is about following up with the interviewer after the interview.
Persistence can show desire and sincere interest. Follow up can be a great advantage to you if done correctly.
You don't want to annoy the person by hassling them daily about the job. But, you should follow up with them every 3 or 4 days.
My brother did this with the job that he currently has a Men's Warehouse. He had a good interview but wasn't immediately offered the job. After following up several times (showing his true interest for the job), they finally hired him.
He got that job simply because of his level of persistence.
I hope these free job interview tips help you land the job you are looking for!
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What is essential to interviewing success?
What is the key to a successful job interview? Everyone has been in an interview. What have you used to make yourself unforgettable to the interviewer?
