You need to go through a few steps to get a job. First, you have to send your CV and hope that it is attractive enough for recruiters. If all your experiences and profile management can attract attention through your CV, you are chosen and called for an interview, but this is where the headache of many people begins.
Nervousness, anxiety, unpreparedness, many negative things can separate you from your long-dreamed job. Beyond your qualifications and skills, getting the job depends mainly on how you behave at the interview—what you do, what you say, and how you say it.
It is not enough to have a sparkling CV and all the key facts about the company and the role you are applying for at your fingertips. You will also need to know how to conduct yourself correctly to ensure you make a good impression.
To land the job, you will have to appear professional, confident, and capable. The hiring manager watches your communication skills and your manners to predict whether you will work well with others.
Therefore, if you want to impress and shine in your next interview job, you will have to:
Be well and professionally dressed
In general, it is better to overdress than underdress. No matter how informal the company's culture seems, a well-tailored suit or dress is always a safe bet.
The clothing you choose will have a considerable impact on the impression you make on the interviewer - and the outcome of the interview. People form impressions of others within a few seconds of meeting them, so the significance of what you wear is immense.
Arrive on time
Arriving on time for an in-person interview is imperative to making a positive first impression. Even if you are familiar with the interview location, give yourself plenty of time for travel. Especially if you aren't familiar with the area that you'll be traveling to, anticipate getting lost to avoid the stress of potentially being late. Build in an extra 30 minutes to get to the interview and plan for traffic jams, difficulty finding parking, delays in public transportation, or the building being harder to find than you initially thought. Being five minutes early will allow you to compose yourself, but being five minutes late could ruin your chances.
Greet the interviewer correctly
Your greeting is likely to be your first face-to-face contact with your interviewer, so you must get it right. It would be best if you only used your right hand, leaving your left hand dormant by your side. Eye contact is essential throughout the interview process, so remember to look the interviewer in the eye when shaking hands. You should introduce yourself by saying your name clearly with always a smile on your face.
Do research and be prepared
You should repeat the company's mission, key players, and latest accomplishments before the interview. Take time to review the employer's website and Google who you'll be interviewing with, so you can ask more targeted questions. Not only will that prove you pay attention to detail, but the more you know about the person sitting across from you, the less likely a lull in the conversation.
Have good manners, sit properly
It seems kind of obvious, but it is not. Many people are rejected because they do not know how to behave in a job interview. In most interviews, you will almost certainly be seated on a chair facing the interviewer. You want to position yourself so that you look attentive but can be comfortable for a lengthy period of time. A good piece of advice is to sit on the edge of the chair or right at the back. A common error is to sit in the middle, which will cause the back to recline and completely ruin the image of yourself you want to portray.
Sound more confident during the job interview
Pause before answering to give yourself time to gather your thoughts. A five-second pause may seem like a long time to you, but it will likely show the interviewer that you have considered your answer. Also, try to eliminate or reduce the number of times you say um, uh, like, and you know. These filler phrases imply that you are not sure about what you want to say.
Be honest
Never embellish your past accomplishments or claim a skill you do not have. If you believe you lack a critical skill, tell the hiring manager that you haven't had the opportunity to use that skill yet, but you are eager to learn.
Written by Roberta Alves Vieira for Together Abroad