An article by contributor Brooke Chaplan.
Interviewing for a job can be stressful, no matter how many times you have done it. You have to prepare to be evaluated by strangers, imagine a future at the job, and do it knowing it may not work out. The best way to ease your anxiety is to do your best! With preparation, you will be more confident and perform better. There are obvious ways to prepare, like dressing the part and arriving on time, but they may not set you apart. Here are four tips that will give you an edge on the big day:
Do Your Homework
Research the company or organization where you are applying to work. Learn about their product, services, and competitors. Use the background knowledge you get to inform your answers in the interview.
Tell Your Story
Instead of answering the interview questions with basic facts, tell the interviewers more. Find ways to talk about your education and work history as part of your story as a person. Show how this job would be the natural next chapter in your story. For example, in an interview for an administrative position at a university, you can say how much you loved studying Administrative Support at the Interactive College of Technology. In this one anecdote, you cover specific information about your school, degree, and passion for the work in an informative, personal way.
Ask At Least One Question
Don’t let the interview end without asking your interviewer at least one question! Usually, they will give you an opportunity to ask questions, but even if they don’t, make sure you ask. There are many things you can ask about. For you, and for the interviewer, there are two aspects to every position. First is the job description, i.e. the work you will do. Second is Human Resources i.e. the schedule, benefits, and work environment. Feel free to ask about any of these!
Believe in Yourself!
You know the reasons you want the job and why you are a good fit. Be confident in that! Confidence shows; if you believe you are a great candidate for the position it will be easy for the interviewers to see that too.
Preparing for your interview will set you up for success. Feeling prepared will set you at ease, and will make the whole interview flow like a comfortable conversation. Follow these four tips to set you ahead of the curve. And of course, don’t forget to look sharp and show up early!
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter@BrookeChaplan.
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