5 Tips to Prepare for that First ‘Real’ Job Interview
Getting a new job can be an exciting time, but first you have to get the interview! If you’re lucky enough to land one, then congratulations — but don’t start celebrating just yet. You still have a lot of work to do.
Getting ready for a first job interview is not the same as preparing for one you’ve done before. If you’re lucky enough to have done so, then I bet you were told a lot of things before the day of your interview — like “be yourself” and “dress professionally” (which, by the way, you should be doing anyway).
Tip 1: Bring something ‘extra’ to the table.
One of my colleagues recently told me about how she believes that employers can always tell when someone is too nervous for a job interview — even if they come off as extremely confident during it.
Some people might think that looking nervous is a bad thing, but it’s really not. If you’re nervous and excited about the job, then it means you really want it! However, being nervous can cause you to make mistakes that can cost you the job. So go in there like you own the place — but don’t get out of control and start saying too much.
Tip 2: Dress like you mean it.
You don’t have to wear a suit, but you do need to dress professionally. Dress like an employee. This can make you look more confident, which employers love to see (especially when interviewing for junior positions). Bring with you something in addition to your clothes that shows that you really mean it when you say “I want this job”:
A clip board with some information written down on it (you can get free clip boards at most office supply stores) will remind people that there’s more than meets the eye.
A clipboard is much better than your phone or a notebook, since it shows that you’re motivated to go the extra mile.
Think about how you carry yourself. Can you walk into a room knowing that people are looking at you? This means you are confident and ready for the day. It also makes employers feel more secure in hiring someone like you because they know they can trust you and give you an honest opinion of your skills and abilities.
You may be wondering, “Well what if I don’t know a lot about the job?” Well, that’s ok! Just try to find out as much as you can before the interview. By doing this, you show that you are good at doing research and will be quick at learning new things. This can help both you and the employer to determine if you are a good fit for each other.
Tip 3: Get an idea of what your potential boss is like.
Before going into your first job interview, do some research on your potential boss — even if it’s just a brief search on Google or LinkedIn. You can find a lot of information this way. You can find out:
where they went to school,
what they did before (and if they had any other jobs in their career), and
their most important accomplishments.
When you do this research, think about the following: What are their strengths? Do they have a good reputation with your industry? How will you answer smart questions that might be asked at the interview?
Tip 4: The biggest job interview cliche. Begin by showing interest in them . . . AND THEM IN YOU.
It might sound cliché, but an interview is as much about the employer getting to know you as it is about you getting to know them. Some employers will try to make their company seem like the greatest place on earth (which it very well could be). It’s important for you to get the full picture of what the job is like.
If you do your research, then pat yourself on the back. You already have a leg up over other applicants. The next step is to show that you are interested in getting to know them by asking them questions about . . . YOU! This way, they can find out more about your personality and career goals. By doing this, you will be able to figure out what they are really looking for in an employee.
Tip 5: If you don’t know, then ask . . .
When it comes time for the job interview, you will inevitably have questions about the position and about the company. These are good questions to ask because employers love to be asked about their companies and where they see themselves in the future. Remember that some employers might feel extremely nervous when going through a job interview — just like you do! So go easy on them. Be prepared with your questions ahead of time and feel free to take notes as well. This way, your points can make a stronger impact when speaking with your potential employer.
Don’t forget to visit their website. Take a look at their social media accounts and see what they’re all about. If you do this, then you can take those points and incorporate them into your questions. You can talk about how much you like the culture of the company, how great the values of the business are, or even how strong your presence on social media is. If you do this, then it will make a big impact on your potential employers as well as show them that you are good at talking about yourself in an exciting way.
Tip 6: Rehearse what you’re going to say . . . THEN SAY IT.
You’ve probably heard this saying before — but that doesn’t mean it’s not true. It is! You can’t just go into an interview and talk about yourself without practicing. It can be hard to think about what you want to say and how you want to say it at the same time. That’s why I suggest having a friend along with you for your interview. If you do this, then your friend can help lead you through the process of asking good questions, practicing your answers, and feeling confident during the process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a lot to remember about your first job interview. It can be tough, but if you follow my 6 tips, then you should be able to stand out from the competition and get the job of your dreams. Just think — this could be the first step towards a great career!
Good luck in your quest!
Source by Andrew Alberto III & Sydney Stumpf-Buckley. Get a job by using our Job Search Tool. This guide is republished with permission of The Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). You can learn how to start and grow your own business with open positions at YEC or start your own business through our free online workshops.