#10 Interview Killer Tips

— by Teddy Lesmana —

There are several interview techniques that can help you to both prepare for your job interview and to impress your prospective employers during the interview and after the interview as the right job candidate. These 10 interview killer tips and techniques are clearly for you if you want to succeed your next job interview.

1. Go through the list of documents and details you need to have before you set out for your interview at the interview checklist. You should also visit is the company’s website to get to know more about the company that you are applying for. As well as learning more about what it does, you also get a sense of the culture and style of the organization. Look for its Annual Report and dig deeper to find out about its industry, its rivals and its main challenges. A quick Google News search to find recent articles about the company is also a good idea. Essential steps to take during your job search include the importance of a professional sounding voice mail message and email address when you are involved in a job interview process. Make sure these personal details present the right image to prospective employers. Check that your social networking profile is suitable.
2. Review your CV & Cover Letter. Carefully re-read everything to ensure you know precisely what is being asked of you. This process will also help you come up with some questions to ask at the end of the interview. Place this paperwork in a neat folder and bring it with you; this makes you look organized.
3. Dress up for interview. Never underestimate the importance of ‘looking’ the part. While you might get away with casual clothing for a ‘hip and trendy’ design company, dressing formally is virtually always your best bet. Make sure your suit has been dry cleaned and your our shirt has been ironed. Get a haircut if you need it and men should be clean shaven or else they must ensure their facial hair is well groomed. By being well-dressed not only improves your chances of making a positive first impression, it also increases your confidence.
4. Plan your route and give yourself enough time to arrive. A good rule of thumb is to plan your arrival so you’re 30 minutes early. This should stop you panicking if you get caught in traffic and if you arrive with time to spare, you have the chance to observe how employees interact thus getting an idea of the company culture.
5. Don’t forget to bring all of your supporting documents on hands.
   • a fully charged phone with Google Maps at the ready.
   • A bottle of water (in case you are not offered a drink during the interview).
   • Information about the person you need to meet when you arrive.
   • Pen and paper.
   • Your CV, cover letter and any professional certificates or educational qualifications you have (this is especially relevant for graduate interviews).
   • Photo ID (can be a driving licence or passport).
   • A copy of the job description.
   • Interview invitation.
   • Some Cash.
   • Smile and Confidence!
6. Your interview begins the moment you arrive at the company. Practice and learn the right job interview etiquette from the start and make a positive impact on everyone you encounter at the company.
7. Know how to greet your interviewer and how to match your communication style to the interviewer. Be aware of the message your interview body language is sending and understand the messages you are receiving from the interviewer. View the tried and tested techniques you can use during the interview to establish excellent rapport with your interviewer.
8. Job interviews can be stressful. You also have to learn to control interview anxiety and actually enjoy the interview process. Come across as an enthusiastic and positive candidate who fits the position.
9. Be sure to ask a few questions at the end of the interview based on your research and make sure you’re clear about the next steps in the process. It is common for organizations to take their time to respond so mention that you will get in touch if you haven’t heard back from them by a certain date.
10. Once you have left the interview room, find somewhere quiet to sit down and write out as many of the questions you were asked as your memory allows. Consider how you answered them and give yourself a rating. This should help you improve on ‘weak’ answers for future interviews. Last but not least, it is polite to send a ‘thank you’ email to the interviewer the following day; it is also an opportunity to ask any questions you forget to during the actual interview. Since most organizations have a protocol when it comes to getting in touch with candidates, don’t pester them with emails. Only get in touch if they haven’t responded within a reasonable period.