According to the Department of Labor, the US economy has added 169,000 jobs in August, 2013. Although with a cautious approach, the job market has started hiring again and it’s time to sharpen your interview skills and boost your level of confidence.
The biggest challenge for youngsters is to face interviews successfully to find jobs in big and multinational organizations. There are times when in spite of holding big degrees and having the capabilities, people fail in clearing interviews. We can help you how to face an interview confidently and clearing an interview successfully with the five following tips.
Prepare and Arrange Your Folder Properly
Before going to attend the interview, you have to check and arrange all your certificates and testimonials in your folder properly. Most of the organizations require a particular set of documents like, copies of your educational and experience certificates, your bio-data, and the application sent to the company. Also go through the call letter for interview to know the exact documents you have to carry with you while going to attend the interview. Remove the irrelevant documents from your folder while arranging the folder for the purpose of the interview.
Dress Properly
Knowing how to dress for an interview can help you make the very first impression. Don’t wear outlandishly while appearing for the interview before the interview board. While the dress code may vary from one interview to another, often it’s safe to consider the position you’re going to appear the interview for. For example, wearing a jacket may be considered inappropriate for an interview meant for the position of a senior office executive. Always wear formal dress to woo the interviewer and make sure that your dress is clean and ironed properly. Also polish your shoes and make them shining.
Don’t be Nervous
Even the most talented of the candidates can falter during interviews, with little control over their psychological disposition. Nervousness can freeze your mental energy which is most required during the interview. While preparing for the interview, prepare yourself psychologically without shifting your focus to any other topic. Small details like dressing appropriately or reaching the place in time will contribute to your confidence significantly, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the ambiance. Even eating something light may help you feel relaxed. Some career experts also recommend candidates taking a couple of deep breaths in order to avoid the interview anxieties. Also avoid the last-minute rush and reach the place of interview at least before 20-30 minutes of the scheduled time.
Recommended Reading: 8 Vital Body Language Tips for Interview
Speak Like a Pro
Good communication skills are always an asset to a candidate appearing for an interview. However, despite having excellent communication skills, many candidates still fail to pull it off. The reasons can range from nervousness to bad grammar. To clear an interview successfully, you must have good command over language which may include your pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Try to answer the questions elaborately enough and avoid giving brief answers, especially to the queries that are posed to evaluate your communication skills in particular. For example, you might want to avoid being tactic while introducing yourself to the interviewers. Always be sure to include some important lines in your introduction such as name, age, qualification, experience, strengths, and your future goals.
Don’t Try to be Clever
You have to keep in mind that every organization requires employees who are sincere and hard-working. But that does not mean you can easily impress the interview board by acting too cleverly before them. If you don’t know the answer to some specific questions, it’s wise to admit so. Also be clear and polite while speaking to the interview board and avoid criticizing someone while speaking. After completing the interview, be sure to leave the room by thanking the board regardless of your performance in the interview. Don’t assume anything or rate your performance based on your mental disposition That thing is best left to your potential employers. You never know what they would be looking for in you.
Recommended Reading: Top 10 Critical Job Interview Questions and Answers