3 answers
Izzy
Student
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How do I prepare myself for my first job interview ?
#experienced hard-working employees or ex-employees
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3 answers
Scott M
Entrepreneur | Senior Sales Executive
38
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Remember, preparation is key, but also be genuine and authentic during the interview. Let your personality shine through and show your passion for the role and the company. Good luck, and trust in your abilities to make a lasting impression!
Research the company and role: Take the time to deeply understand the company's mission, values, products, and services. Research the role you're applying for and gather information on the skills and qualifications required. This knowledge will enable you to tailor your answers and demonstrate your genuine interest in the company.
Reflect on your experiences and strengths: Think about your past experiences, both academic and professional, and identify specific examples that highlight your skills and achievements. Reflect on your strengths and how they align with the job requirements. Prepare compelling stories or situations that showcase your abilities.
Practice and refine your responses: Practice answering common interview questions, such as those about your strengths, weaknesses, and previous experiences. Rehearse your responses with a friend or family member, focusing on clear and concise delivery. Pay attention to your body language, tone of voice, and confidence level.
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask: Prepare a list of insightful questions to ask the interviewer. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you evaluate if it's the right fit for you. Ask about the company culture, growth opportunities, or specific projects you might be working on. Engaging in a dialogue demonstrates your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.
Cultivate a positive mindset: Approach the interview with a positive and confident mindset. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Visualize a successful interview and imagine yourself excelling in the role. Practice self-care to manage any pre-interview stress or nervousness, such as getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and engaging in activities that help you relax and focus.
Scott recommends the following next steps:
Atul Bhankharia
Sales
477
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
Atul’s Answer
It's essential to identify the industry you're aiming to work in. A simple Google search can yield a plethora of common interview questions asked by potential employers. For instance:
- When asked to introduce yourself, keep your response concise and to the point.
- If asked why you're interested in the company, make sure you've done your research about the organization.
- Tread lightly when discussing your weaknesses.
- Be ready to convincingly argue why you're the best fit for the job, leveraging your strengths, skills, and experience.
You'll find a multitude of potential questions online, but try to focus on 10-20 key questions. To prepare, jot down your answers to each of these questions. Then, record yourself delivering these responses. Practice this repeatedly to ensure you're comfortable and confident with your answers.
Remember, body language is crucial. Always maintain a smile and make eye contact with everyone present. Practice this routine daily leading up to the interview, or at least twice a day. As you rehearse, refine your responses to make them as effective as possible.
- When asked to introduce yourself, keep your response concise and to the point.
- If asked why you're interested in the company, make sure you've done your research about the organization.
- Tread lightly when discussing your weaknesses.
- Be ready to convincingly argue why you're the best fit for the job, leveraging your strengths, skills, and experience.
You'll find a multitude of potential questions online, but try to focus on 10-20 key questions. To prepare, jot down your answers to each of these questions. Then, record yourself delivering these responses. Practice this repeatedly to ensure you're comfortable and confident with your answers.
Remember, body language is crucial. Always maintain a smile and make eye contact with everyone present. Practice this routine daily leading up to the interview, or at least twice a day. As you rehearse, refine your responses to make them as effective as possible.
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
481
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
It kind of depends on what kind of job you are going for. An interview for a part time cashier will be different than for a full time nursing position. However, there are some common tips.
1) Be on time. In fact, be a few minutes early (but not TOO early).
2) Dress for the position. If possible look and see what others in the same position are wearing. Try and dress a little nicer than that. If everyone is wearing jeans and t-shirts, wear khakis and a collared shirt/blouse. etc.
3) Be polite and respectful to your interview(s).
4) Speak clearly and in complete sentences. Try not to be too colloquial - no slang, no 'hip' expressions, and certainly no profanity (trust me, I've interviewed people who broke all these rules - they did not get the job).
5) Do a little research on the company. You are almost guaranteed to be asked "Why do you want to work here?" You should have an answer before you go in.
6) Have a few questions to ask them. Almost every interview ends with "Do you have any questions you'd like to ask?" You should have at least one or two. That means you should have 3-5 in your mind, as some will likely be answered during the interview.
7) Relax. The worst thing that can happen is you don't get the job, and you are in the exact same situation you are now. Being rejected is not unusual, and should be expected. It's usually nothing personal...it's just someone else probably fit the position better. Maybe they know the manager. Maybe their schedule fits better with the needs of the company. Think of each interview as practice for the next one.
1) Be on time. In fact, be a few minutes early (but not TOO early).
2) Dress for the position. If possible look and see what others in the same position are wearing. Try and dress a little nicer than that. If everyone is wearing jeans and t-shirts, wear khakis and a collared shirt/blouse. etc.
3) Be polite and respectful to your interview(s).
4) Speak clearly and in complete sentences. Try not to be too colloquial - no slang, no 'hip' expressions, and certainly no profanity (trust me, I've interviewed people who broke all these rules - they did not get the job).
5) Do a little research on the company. You are almost guaranteed to be asked "Why do you want to work here?" You should have an answer before you go in.
6) Have a few questions to ask them. Almost every interview ends with "Do you have any questions you'd like to ask?" You should have at least one or two. That means you should have 3-5 in your mind, as some will likely be answered during the interview.
7) Relax. The worst thing that can happen is you don't get the job, and you are in the exact same situation you are now. Being rejected is not unusual, and should be expected. It's usually nothing personal...it's just someone else probably fit the position better. Maybe they know the manager. Maybe their schedule fits better with the needs of the company. Think of each interview as practice for the next one.