interview tips to boost your chances of
landing the job.
The day has come: You found an awesome job
on Monster , applied, and got a call from a
real-live human being who wants to meet with
you. Congrats! But your work has only just
begun.
Even the smartest and most qualified job
seekers need to prepare for their job
interview. Why, you ask? Interview skills are
learned, and there are no second chances to
make a great first impression . These 10
interview tips will teach you how to answer
interview questions and convince the hiring
manager that you are the one for the job.
Practice good nonverbal
communication
It's about demonstrating confidence: standing
straight, making eye contact and connecting
with a firm handshake . That first nonverbal
impression can be a great beginning—or quick
ending—to your interview.
Dress for the job or company
Today's casual dress codes do not give you
permission to dress as "they" do when you
interview. It is important to know what to
wear to an interview and to be well-groomed.
Whether you wear a suit or something less
formal depends on the company culture and
the position you are seeking. If possible, call
to find out about the company dress code
before the interview.
Listen
From the very beginning of the interview, your
interviewer is giving you information, either
directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it,
you are missing a major opportunity. Good
communication skills include listening and
letting the person know you heard what was
said. Observe your interviewer, and match that
style and pace.
Don't talk too much
Telling the interviewer more than he needs to
know could be a fatal mistake. When you have
not prepared ahead of time, you may
ramble when answering interview questions ,
sometimes talking yourself right out of the job.
Prepare for the interview by reading through
the job posting , matching your skills with the
position's requirements and relating only that
information.
Don't be too familiar
The interview is a professional meeting to talk
business. This is not about making a new
friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic
the interviewer's demeanor. It is important to
bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview
and to ask questions, but do not overstep your
place as a candidate looking for a job.
Use appropriate language
It's a given that you should use professional
language during the interview. Be aware of
any inappropriate slang words or references to
age, race, religion, politics, or s*xual
orientation—these topics could send you out
the door very quickly.
Don't be cocky
Attitude plays a key role in your interview
success. There is a fine balance between
confidence, professionalism, and modesty.
Even if you're putting on a performance to
demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as
bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.
Take care to answer the questions
When interviewers ask for an example of a
time when you did something, they are asking
behavioral interview questions , which are
designed to elicit a sample of your past
behavior. If you fail to relate a specific
example, you not only don't answer the
question, but you also miss an opportunity to
prove your ability and talk about your skills.
Ask questions
When asked if they have any questions, most
candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer. Part
of knowing how to interview is being ready to
ask questions that demonstrate an interest in
what goes on in the company. Asking
questions also gives you the opportunity to
find out if this is the right place for you. The
best questions come from listening to what
you're asked during the interview and asking
for additional information.
Don't appear desperate
When you interview with the "please, please
hire me" approach, you appear desperate and
less confident. Reflect the three Cs during the
interview: cool, calm, and confident.
Bonus tip: Work on your answers
You know you can do the job; make sure the
interviewer believes you can, too. One way to
do this is by preparing well-thought-out
answers to questions they're most likely to
ask. Need some help with that? Join Monster
for free today. As a member, you'll get
interview insights, career advice, and job
search tips sent directly to your inbox so you
can come across as a strong, viable
candidate. From ice breakers ("Tell me about
yourself") to the nitty-gritty ("What's your
biggest weakness?"), Monster's expert advice
can help you craft answers that highlight your
skills and eagerness to get the job.
