5 Tips for a Great Interview

This is a guest post written by Laura Backes, If you want to contribute guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines and join our information sharing program.

Great news! You got a call and the company you have been eyeing for the last few months wants to fix a great interview with you. You may or may not be prepared for your next job interview but there are some helpful reminders before you start that great interview process.

Appearance

Your mother probably told you growing up that looks don’t matter. Well in a job interview case, they do. Your appearance is the first thing the interviewer will see. Humans have the habit of making a quick judgment within seconds of first seeing you. Looking like a sloppy mess is a great way not to get hired. Men: grab your nicest suit and a nice tie, shave or trim that beard and make sure you have a fresh haircut. Women: Either a pants or skirt suit is fine, wear your hair back and freshen up your make up, but not too heavy. And don’t forget the minty fresh breath!

Handshake

You can tell a lot about someone with something as simple as a handshake. You should reach out to shake your interviewers hand at the beginning and then again at the end of your great interview. Don’t hesitate to be the first to reach out. Grab their hand firmly but gentle shake it 2 to 3 times.

Confidence

No need to be shy but no need to be arrogant either. Show your confidence by sitting up straight and smiling. Don’t be afraid to humbly toot your own horn. Avoid using phrases like ‘I think I am…’ ‘I will try…’, This company is about to spend money on hiring you and they want to make sure they are going to spend the money wisely. Be confident.

Resume

Chances are that the interviewer already has your resume, but bring a couple of extras. Coming prepared looks good and will save you if the interviewer for some reason doesn’t have your resume. Store your resumes in a nice, portfolio. You can find them at your local store and a low cost. Make sure your resume has all your contact information correct and updated. Check for any errors or misspellings. Offer to give them a copy, if they need it.

Thank You

This is very important and an excellent way to leave a lasting impression. It has been said by some employers that two candidates with the same background and capabilities were considered for the position. However, the candidate that followed up with a ‘thank you’ note was the one who got the position. Depending on how quickly they want to fill the position is the deciding factor on a handwritten versus and email thank you note. If they are looking to fill immediately, send them a nicely written thank you note thanking them for their time and so on. If it is a long process to fill the position, then hand write it and consider or mailing it the same day you leave that great interview.

Whether this is your first job great interview out of college or your 7^th in your long career, these tips will help you make an impression. Good luck and happy job hunting!

Author Bio:-This is a guest post from Laura Backes, she enjoys writing about all kinds of subjects and also topics related to internet providers in my area. You can reach her at: laurabackes8 @ gmail.com.