5 Killer First Job Interview Tips
Prepare For Your First JobGoing for your first job interview can be a nerve wracking experience. The entire process will be unfamiliar to you and, thus, can be extremely stressful. There are a few things that you can do now to be prepared for your first job and for the application process in general. Get your resume in order. Make sure it has no spelling or grammar errors and that the style is consistent throughout the resume. Get your clothes in order. A nice tailored suit is going to be the order of the day for most jobs, but if you can't afford an expensive suit consider getting a cheap suit tailored - this is a solid way to look more professional and set yourself apart from the other candidates.
Simple Job Interview Tips |
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” |
First job interview tips are a dime a dozen. Here are a few that are particularly useful:
- Ask questions – Asking questions will give you a better idea of how the company that you are applying to operates. It will also show the interviewer that you have a genuine interest in their company, and if you do some research ahead of time and ask informed questions this will impress the person or committee doing the interview and help to set you apart. Instead of asking "How many people work here?" try asking something more specific that will make your interview memorable: "In researching your company I saw that you are the #1 employer in the region - do you have plans to continue to expand or are you focused on maintaining a lean, efficient workforce?"
- Don't stumble on you words – Look up common interview questions and have the answers to them. It doesn't look good when a person it stuttering or trying to figure out what to say during the interview. For example - one of the most common "first" questions is a generic one: Tell me a little about yourself. Most unprepared candidates will stumble through their resume or talk about their personal life - this is an opportunity to elaborate on key qualifications and address specific criteria stated in the job posting. You may not get another opportunity to bring up your qualifications so make sure that everything you say makes it clear that your unique combination of experiences makes you the ideal fit for the job.
- Dress well – Dress for the job that you want, not for the job that you have. Don't worry about overdressing for an interview - the nicer you look the better the first impression you'll make. The individual or committee interviewing you will know that you're taking the opportunity seriously if you dress seriously. Wear a nice suit if you can. Even if it is an entry level position, wearing a suit will show that you have gone out of your way to look professional. If you do not have a suit consider purchasing one or stick with something more akin to business casual (matching shoes and belt, polo shirt (not the brand, the style), and clean, ironed khakis. If you don't have a sport coat wearing a shirt and tie is a solid alternative by you could likely find a used jacket at Goodwill or a similar store in your area.
- Be on time – And by this we mean be early! This should go without saying, but the worst thing you can do is be late for an interview. Show up before your appointment time, and if you arrive early use that extra time to rehearse some of the key points you want to convey before heading inside. You should plan to enter the building about ten minutes prior to your interview time (too early and you may bother the person interviewing you by interrupting their schedule or rushing them to get ready) If you are late, you might as well give up all hope of getting the job - it tells the company you've applied to that they're not your priority.
- Be sociable – Don't be a robot during the interview. Try to make a bit of small talk with the person who is giving you the interview. It's important that he or she not only sees that you're qualified, but also that you show that you're the sort of person that they would like to work alongside every day. Ask questions if you can, but avoid political topics which could leave a bad taste in the person's mouth. Check their social profiles to see if they are a sports fan and if you root for the same team bring it up casually at the beginning or end of the interview to try to find some common ground. Remember to smile and pay close attention to your body language to make sure that you appear confident, welcoming and non-threatening.
Landing Your First Job
Getting a job in the current economic climate can be extremely difficult and a big part of your success will stem from preparation and attitude. With that in mind, it makes sense to maximize your opportunity for getting work by doing everything that you possibly can to look like a good candidate. You can't control everything, but in a time when almost every company has a huge stack of resumes to draw from, it's up to you to set yourself apart by doing all of the right things when it comes to items which are within your control. Utilizing this short list of killer first job interview tips in your initial job search will exponentially increase the chances that you will be able to find a good job and ace the interview. Good luck!
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