Did you know that there are 5 things that you can do before
an interview to give yourself the best chance of doing well? Many people don’t think too much about the
interview before they actually go in because it is so nerve wracking. Let’s face it – interviews can be kind of
scary. But they are less scary if you
prepare yourself ahead of time and do a few things that will make it go a lot
easier.
So, what are these 5
things?
1. Know how to answer the toughest questions
It is usually the simplest questions that are the toughest
and the ones that people usually stumble over. If you’re prepared for them
though, they won’t be so hard.
Some of the questions you should be well prepared for in any
interview include:
- “Tell me about yourself.”
- “Tell me about a stressful situation you encountered at work and how you handled it.”
- “What kind of salary do you expect?”
Concentrate on being able to give responses that are to the
point and honest. Practice giving these
responses so that when it comes time for the real interview they flow
seamlessly, without a lot of “umm”s and “uhhh”s.
2. Spend time practicing
There are several ways you can practice giving answers.
- Practice by saying your answers out loud.
- Stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself as if you were the interviewer.
- Get in front of a web camera and record yourself; watch the video after.
- Practice with a friend. Ask them to watch for non-verbal signals.
3. Do your research
Get as much information about the company as you can. Interviewers will always be impressed when
you are familiar with what the company does, what the role you would play is,
what kind of progress they have made in the past and where they are going in
the future. The more specifics you know
about the company that you are interviewing with the more you can tailor your
answers to their questions.
4. Get enough rest
A sleepless night is sure to make the interview process more
difficult. Yawning will give them the impression that you are bored or at the
very least, not very excited about the job. You’ll be quicker with your answers
and your brain will be working at full capacity.
5. Exercise.
Yes, exercise can make a difference. In the days before an interview, some good
cardio can boost your attitude. You’ll
sharpen your mind and feel better overall.