5 Tips for a Flawless Interview

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Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

After all the hard work of applying, everybody wants to be rewarded with a chance to be in an interview. Are you prepared for that next job interview? The interview means that you are closer to getting the job than many of those who were not shortlisted.

After receiving an invitation to your first interview, it is very important that you don’t blow it. Do you know the secrets of pulling off a flawless interview? Use these five easy steps to prepare yourself and leave the best impression possible with the hiring manager.

1. Be Early

Time management means everything in the corporate world. So once an interview has been scheduled for a given time, there’s no rescheduling. It is, therefore, very important that you don’t keep interviewers waiting. The worst thing you can do is show up to an interview late.

By showing up early you are demonstrating and showing respect of the company and the hiring manager. You are also giving them the opportunity to take you early, which could give you more face time. Face time is important, the longer you have with the hiring manager the better your chances will be to get the job.

2. Research the Company

Never walk into an interview without knowing anything about the company. The interviewer(s) are looking for an individual who understands their organizational culture. They are looking for a candidate who will fit in.

The central idea to interviewing is finding a candidate who understands the company and can be an asset. Do some research; find out how many facilities they have, who is the CEO, and what recent news has come out about the company.

3. Listen, Don’t Talk

Be very attentive and answer the questions as precisely as possible. Let the interviewer guide the discussion. Avoid taking too long in your answers. Avoid using unnecessary jargon. Nobody will be using a dictionary.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but get the hiring manager to do most of the talking. It is a proven fact, that hiring managers will think the interview go better if they do a lot of talking. So use your research and ask a lot of questions to get the interview talking.

4. Carry Copies of Your Resume

Hiring managers are busy people and many times they do not have a copy of your resume when they enter the room. This is the time to hand them your resume on a quality piece of paper. Much of the interview content will, in many cases, relate specifically to your resume.

5. Follow-Up

It is very important that you follow up and show that you appreciate having been given an interview opportunity. If the interviewer gave you his/her card then make use of it. Call them and ask a few follow-up questions and thank them for taking the time to meet with you.

If you didn’t get a card during the interview, then send a polite thank you email. The goal here is to get the hiring manager to think of you again. And the more he/she thinks of you, in a positive manner, the better your chances are to get the job.

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Teboho Polanka
Teboho is a Social Worker, Writer and Inspirational Speaker. He is in pursuit of MSc. in Managerial Psychology. Graduates are able to apply psychological principles and methods to tackle challenges in the work environment and provide effective practical solutions. Acting as industrial-organizational psychologists.