Job Interview 101: Nailing the Interview

The most important part of securing a job is the face to face job interview. Not how well your resume is put together, not how much experience you have, not your skill sets. Listen to what I’m saying, those are important, but not the most important. Face to face, is when you have time to truly present yourself.

The First Impression

This is the moment your potential employer first sees you and the way you interact with your environment. The way you dress, act, and walk through the door makes up a good portion of the first impression. The quality of your voice, grammar and confidence is especially important. It is also important to watch your choice of words. Do not try to be overly fashionable or trendy, as this leaves more room for negative judgment. Clothes can be the deciding factor of the first impression for many employers whether they know it or not.

Common Verbal Mistakes

Here our some verbal things that will turn your potential employer away: over-explaining why you lost your last job, lacking humor and warmth, not showing interest or enthusiasm, inadequate research about your potential employer, concentrating too much on what you want, and winging the interview.

Common Nonverbal Mistakes

There are also a multitude of nonverbal cues that will turn away your potential employer: failing to make eye contact, having little knowledge about the company, not smiling, having bad posture, fidgeting, playing with hair or touching your face, a weak handshake, crossing our arms over your chest, using too many hand gestures.

 

Keep in mind how important the first impression is and these commonly made mistakes and you will nail your job interview. When in doubt, show confidence in yourself, in our voice and in your knowledge. Fake it ’til you make it!