For any graduate entering or individual returning to the job market, it can be a scary situation. On one end, millions of people have lost their jobs during the most recent economic downturn. According to an article released by the Huffington Post, the unemployment rate is still at a staggering 9 percent and is expected to remain around this figure until 2016 or at least until growth is able to reach demand. As for recent graduates from top online colleges, shifting from an education environment to the workforce can be a touch transition. Regardless of your situation, it’s really hard to get your foot in the door and if you’re lucky enough to get an interview for the job you want then the last thing you want to do is blow it once you get there. Here’s a list of some of the biggest dos and don’ts for your next job interview.
DO’S
Being prepared:
Much of the approaches to being prepared are common sense things that you should already know like: arrive early but not too early. Have a copy of your resume on hand. Wear the proper attire and dress professionally. It can also be easy to forget something so here’s a list of common things you should be thinking about when getting ready for that big day.
Doing Your Research:
Do your research. You don’t want to go to a job interview and tell the person conducting the interview that you’re really excited to work for them because they have such a great company, and then not know what it is that the company does. You’d think it would be obvious but most people don’t do any research on a company beforehand. It’s always a good idea to check their web site and look into the press they’ve gotten in recent years. Formulate some bullet point responses and info on what it is they do.
Asking The Right Questions:
Asking questions is also about listening. Let the interviewer speak first and don’t interrupt them. If you feel that you have a relevant question, ask one. Don’t speak for the sake of conversation or to show that you’re engaged. If you’re asking a question then take a brief pause and think about what you’re going to say. Give a response or questions with a concise and thoughtful delivery. You want to seem eager but don’t say the first thing that comes out of your mouth. The process isn’t a race.You might even want to put together some common questions that people are asked in an interview and prepare thoughtful responses before hand.
DON’TS
Don’t Get Rattled:
In order to appear a viable candidate you, under no circumstances, should seem unprepared or nervous. Everyone gets nervous during an interview. It’s a stressful situation for anyone. Even if you’re a nervous wreck, know that it’s ok. You just can’t let them see it. First impressions are always lasting and you don’t want them to see you as a gamble.
Don’t Talk Money:
A job isn’t charity work. The person interviewing you knows that you want a job so you can make money. Don’t bring up salary until they’ve offered you the job. This is a big mistake that people often fall victim to. At that point, then you can start discussing salary and benefit options. If money is the first thing you bring up, it’s likely to set a bad tone. Remember, you’re there to talk about the job, not about the salary. That discussion will come later. Just be patient.
Don’t Talk About Other Job Offers:
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t talk about your past jobs, just not jobs that are potentially forthcoming. This is a common mistake. People think that if they talk about other job offers then a company is likely to see you as a hot commodity. This is not the case. There are plenty of candidates and this is just simply bad form.
Put your best foot forward and follow some of these tips to nail your next job interview. Some of these things seem like common sense but too often people make these simple mistakes, which often translate into a bad interview that was avoidable. So be careful so your mistakes don’t end up costing you the job you really want.
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