Great question!

I have an enormous amount of information on how to improve your job interviewing skills. As well, I look forward to input and tips from other members.

To grab a super job interview guide and solve your problem, click here.



You'll love it.

Ok, let's get to it...

Preparing For The Interview

It doesn’t matter how much knowledge or experience you have about the position you are trying to get with a company if you don’t have a clue who the company is or what they do. It is disastrous to enter into an interview and not be able to tell your interviewer what their company is all about.

Besides, how else are you going to tell them why you feel that you would be a good addition to their company?

Doing Your Research

The best and least time consuming way to get to know more about a company is to look at their website. Absorb all of the general knowledge about them, including the names of key people and their job titles. You should also sift through most of their pages, including the pages that show samples of their services and/or products.

You can also type their company name into Google. Read the articles or press releases listed about them and soak up as much information as possible.

PS: You will also want to do some research on the person that will be conducting your interview.

What To Wear

You want to make sure that your clothes do not have any wrinkles or stains on them. Pick an outfit that best suits the type of job you are applying for. If you are going to work in an office setting, you should dress conservatively. A nice dark suit is good for men. Soft earth tones are best for women. Try to avoid mini skirts and shirts that show too much skin.

If the job is outdoors or in an artistic environment, you can dress a bit more casually. Just be certain to avoid wearing denim jeans, over-sized clothing, and under-sized clothing. Ladies - try and avoid wearing too much make-up. It gives the wrong impression.

Even in the summer, you should not wear sandals, flip-flops or gym shoes to an interview. It sends an unprofessional message. The same goes for hats and other accessories.

Your First Impression

First impressions can be a hard thing to get past in any situation. During an interview, you want to give the best first impression that you can. There are many small things that you can do to assure you give the best impression possible. They are as follows:

• You can never be too polite to the person that directs you to your waiting area when waiting to be interviewed. A small gesture like, asking how they are doing can work wonders for you when you leave the building later.
• While waiting to be interviewed, sit properly and behave as if everyone passing you by is your potential interviewer. They just might be! Smile at people as much as possible. Do not act impatient or bored, it sends the wrong message. Some interviewers will keep you waiting just to see how you handle yourself.
• Greet you interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile.
• Remain standing until your interviewer asks you to be seated. It is simply polite and shows proper etiquette.
• Again, dress according to the type of job that you are applying for.
• Show yourself to be well organized, by having all things needed for the interview.
• While waiting, do not eat or drink anything.
• Don’t chat on your cell phone while waiting for your interviewer. It makes you look distracted.

How To Prepare For A Job Interview & First Impressions(video):

How to Prepare for a First Impression (video):

Show Confidence

Do not enter an interview with a defeatist attitude. Don't mope or exude too much placidity in your manner either. It is not inviting, and does not give the impression of a person that they will want to see every day.

Be sure of your abilities without appearing cocky or narcissistic. You want to let your interviewer know that you are equipped to perform well at your job, without alienating other co-workers. You should point out your accomplishments in your field while remaining somewhat humble.

List your accomplishments in a matter of fact way without going into too much detail. I know this sounds repetitive, but you can never get this point too strongly. Understand that body language plays a large part in exuding confidence to others. Sit straight. Practice good posture, and keep your head up.

Keep a Positive Attitude

You should always try to smile and keep a positive outlook during your interview. If you hear something that doesn’t sound good to you, don’t frown and look disgruntled, just keep a slight smile on your face until it is time for you to say something. Then approach your interviewer with your questions or concerns when the time is appropriate.

Maintain Eye Contact

Keeping eye contact with your interviewer is very important, especially when one of you is speaking to the other. If you are looking around the room or at the items on the interviewer’s desk, you will appear uninterested. Just imagine what you would be thinking if you were speaking to him and he was looking all over the room. You would probably think that you already lost the interview.

Body Language

Here are some of most common body language no no's that you should avoid when sitting through an interview.

• Avoid fidgeting while speaking to your interviewer. It shows a lack of self confidence.
• Avoid speaking while using overly expressive hand gestures. It is distracting.
• Avoid biting your lips in between sentences. It gives the impression that you are making things up.
• Do not sit with your arms crossed because it makes you appear stand-offish.
• Do not shrug your shoulders when asked a question that you are unsure of. Take a second to think of your response. Shrugging your shoulders gives the impression that you don’t know the answer.
• Don’t answer with nods and head shakes. Use your words to answer questions.
• Get plenty of sleep the night before the interview. You don’t want to yawn in front of the interviewer. He will think that you are expressing boredom.

Dos

• Arrive on time, or better yet 10 minutes early.           
• Refer to the interviewer by name.           
• Smile and use a firm handshake.           
• Be alert and act interested throughout.           
• Maintain eye contact at all times.           
• Make all comments in a positive manner.           
• Speak clearly, firmly, and with authority.           
• Accept any refreshment offered.           
• Promote your strengths.           

Don'ts

• Be overly aggressive or egotistical.
• Spend too much time talking about money.
• Act uninterested in the company or the job.
• Act defensively when questioned about anything.
• Speak badly about past colleagues or employers.
• Answer with only yes or no.
• Excuse your bad points about work history.
• Excuse yourself halfway through the interview, even if you have to use the bathroom.
• Ask for coffee or refreshments.

What Are Employers Looking For?

When an employer decides to conduct an interview with you, there are certain things that they are looking for from you. Here's the list...

• Enthusiasm: Employers want to know that you are willing and eager to be a part of their company. Being fully stocked with knowledge about the company is a sure fire way to show your enthusiasm.

• Ability to speak clearly: If you approach an interview mumbling and speaking slang, a prospective employer will not see you as a professional.

• Showing your teamwork skills: You should show an example of your ability to work as part of a team during your interview.

• Leadership skills: You should show your leadership abilities by approaching your interview with an offensive train of thought.

• Problem solving ability: Employers needs to know that you can handle yourself when a problem arrives.

• Work related experience: You definitely want to show that you have some experience in the field already, so that the employer knows that you will not be overwhelmed.

• Community involvement: Employers love to see that you have done volunteer work. It shows that you take pride in your community, and a willingness to be a team player.

• Company knowledge: Again, this stipulates that employers like to see you have done your research about their company. It shows that your interest in working for them is sincere.

• Flexibility: Employers want to know that you are able to go with the flow. It proves that they can depend on you later.

• Ambition and Motivation: Ambitious people are generally motivated enough to make great improvements in the company as they are working their way up the ladder. Ambition usually means more money for the company.

• People skills: Your ability to get along with others is very important to an employer. They need to know that you won’t ruffle any feathers when you are hired.

• Professional appearance: Nobody wants a slob working in their office. Be certain to dress appropriately for the job that you are applying for.

• Ability to Multitask: This is getting to be a very necessary skill in the workplace. Most days, you will be required to multitask. Even if you are not, employers need to know that you can do it without freaking out on them.

• Computer ease: These days, just about every company in the world is running on computers. The ability to work a computer with at least a minimal amount of ease is important. It is best to keep a leg up on the most common software.

• Reliability: Employers want dependable and reliable people to work for them. Your ability to arrive on time is a good place to start when trying to prove that you possess this quality.

Employer Evaluations: 3 Skill Sets

Employers are generally evaluating you on three skill sets during an interview. Those three skill sets can easily be broken down here...

Content Skills

These skills are directly related to performing a specific job in your profession. You acquire these skills by learning your craft in an accredited school through specialized training, work experience, attaining a degree, or internships. This shows an employer that you are have acquired all of the knowledge you will need to perform your job efficiently.

If you do not have this type of skill available, you can simply express that you are looking into specialized training, and/or would be willing to start. It may not be exactly what the employer is looking for, but it shows initiative.

Functional Skills

These are the skills that reflect your ability to work with others and how you incorporate data. This is where an employer decides whether or not you are a team player. You can display this skill by displaying your past employment record and accomplishments that are directly job related.

Generally an employer will get an idea of your ability to work with others based on your reasons for leaving previous jobs, whether or not you were fired before, etc. If you have been fired before, don’t lie about it, and do not act bitter about it when discussing the reason. This will not benefit you in the end. Be forthcoming and sincere. Express that it was a learning experience for you and tell them what you learned from it. It reflects well on your temperament.

Adaptive Skills

This is a general show of your personality and temperament. It also covers your self management skills. During your interview, the employer will be evaluating you on your general ability to get along with him/her. Your general personality traits are monitored at this time.

When faced with a difficult question, you do not want to get defensive or angry. Just take a few seconds to think about what you should say rather than say something you will regret. If you must, simply explain that you are little nervous so that you can buy a few extra seconds to answer.

You want to appear at ease, (or as much so as you can) during your interview. You want the employer to think that you anticipated everything that he/she is going to say. Even if you are terrified at your replies, do not let them see you sweat.

Common Interview Questions

    Tell me something about yourself. (Remember, say something positive)
      
    How do you handle stressful situations?
      
    How do you deal with criticism and stress?
      
    What is your definition of success?
      
    Why do you think you will fit in with this company? (This is where your research comes in handy)
       
    Have you ever been fired, and why?
      
    Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
      
    Do you prefer to work on your own or as a team?
      
    Why are you interested in working for this company?
       
    How do you handle a difference of opinion with your colleagues or superiors?
      
    Why should I hire you?

Common Questions When Applying For Your First Job After College Graduation

    Tell me what your most rewarding college experience was.
      
    What extra curricular activities did you participate in?

    What have you learned in college that applies directly to this job?
      
    How have you prepared yourself for the transition from college to the workplace?
      
    Are you going to graduate school? If so, do you plan to continue working as well?
      
    How do you plan to manage graduate school and working?
      
    Did you get any hands on experience in college?
      
    How do you feel that college has prepared you for this job?
     
    Have you ever done an internship that helped to prepare you for this type of work?
      
    What do you think is the best asset that you could bring to this company?

Questions That You Should Ask Your Interviewer

    Why is this position available right now?
      
    How many times has this position been filled in the past 5 years?
      
    What should the new person do that is different from the last person that had this position?
      
    What would you most like to see done in the next 6 months?
      
    What are the most difficult problems that this job entails?
      
    How much freedom do I have in the decision making process?
      
    What are my options for advancement?
      
    How has this company succeeded in the past?
      
    What changes do you envision in near future for this company?
      
    What do you think constitutes success at this job?

Job Interview Questions and Answers (video):

Ending the Interview

Wait until your interviewer stands up or requests that you do. Give your closing greeting. Thank the interviewer for his taking the time to see you. Offer another firm handshake, and ask when you might know when you might expect to hear from them about their decision.

The Post Job Interview Follow-up

Now that the interview is over, the hard work is over. But, you still have to follow up on the interview. Do not underestimate its importance! Sending a thank you note is the best way to accomplish this. The thank you note should be written with your thanks for their time and consideration in seeing you.

For great thank you notes, click here. It's my current recommendation and choice pick.

How Long Do I Wait?

If you haven’t heard from the employer within a week, you should call the office to ask if they have reached a decision yet. This is not being pushy; it shows your enthusiasm and persistence. If they haven’t reached a decision, ask when you might expect to hear from them. If they don’t give an answer, try again in another week and so on.