One of the single most difficult tasks you have as a candidate when you walk in that door for your interview, is to relax, smile and project self-confidence. No one likes to be put on the spot or tested but regretfully, the interview IS a test. And a very important one at that. The way in which you approach it will determine how successful you are.
To lessen your tension, make sure that you know where your interview is located, and if necessary, practice getting there in advance. The day of your meeting, be sure to allot plenty of extra time so that you will actually arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of time. Use those minutes to straighten your tie, brush your hair or touch up your lipstick.. Make no mistake: appearance is important, and you’d better look your best..
Think of your interview as a dialogue, not a question/answer session. If you’re able to relate to your interviewer, things will go much better for you. For instance, if you see a photograph that is displayed prominently, you might ask where it was taken and by whom, adding that you are a photographer yourself and are naturally interested in tasteful images such as these.
The idea is to make yourself as comfortable as possible in an otherwise uncomfortable situation. But, don’t overplay your hand by asking too many questions. Let periods of silence occur naturally. Don’t fill every moment with chatter. Take time to reflect on any questions the interviewer asks instead of jumping right in with the first answer that comes to your mind. And DON’T talk your way out of a job by going off on an unrelated tangent, or by talking too much about your personal life. (The employer really won’t want to know that you won 3 blue ribbons for your blueberry pie at last year's county fair.) Stick to relevant information.
Provide succinct and specific answers to the questions you are asked without elaborating unduly. If you’re unsure whether you’ve provided enough information simply ask whether you have answered the question adequately.
Above all, try to present an interesting, enthusiastic and engaging personality. Before leaving that conference room, state your interest in the position. (You can always turn it down later, but if you don’t get an offer, you don’t have any options at all!)
If time permits, ask your interviewer how he came to the company and what he likes best about his job. . And finally, before leaving, ask what the next step might be and when you should follow up. This will alleviate much uncertainty for you later on.
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