Going for a job interview can really make you nervous but being prepared is a great way to stay calm and nail the interview. Here is a list of some great tips to remember for your next job interview.
1. Schedule the interview for around 10:30 a.m.
People are usually at their best at this time. It means they haven't just arrived at the office and they haven't been there so long that they're tired and in a bad mood. Tuesday is the best time of day because that's the day of the week people are usually the most productive. If you can't get an interview for this time, at least try to avoid setting one for the end of the day. That's the worst possible time because people want to hurry up and get out of the office so they aren't going to be focused.
2. Don't arrive too early.
You might think it will make you look good if you arrive early but it could backfire. If you're way too early, you'll only look desperate and it puts a lot of pressure on the interviewer because they weren't expecting you so soon. So you could even come across as rude. If you do show up too early spend some extra time in your car to gather your thoughts and maybe even go over these tips.
3. Be nice to the receptionist.
Everything you do matters. A lot of managers will ask the receptionist what they thought of you. If you were rude or didn't talk to them it might make you look bad. But if you were friendly and warm, they might put in a good word for you. So be pleasant and nice to everyone you encounter.
4. Don't take the coffee.
Many interviewers will offer you a coffee but you should decline the offer. They're only asking to be nice but they don't really want to take the extra time to make you a fresh cup of coffee.
5. Wear conservative colors.
In a CareerBuilder survey, according to over 2,000 hiring managers, black and blue are the best colors to wear for an interview. Orange is the worst color to wear. Conservative colors like brown, gray, blue, and black are a safe bet when meeting someone for the first time, especially in a professional setting. Other colors can signal creativity but they could be too much for a job interview. Many people claim you can wear red but red is a very powerful color. Red could make you overpower your interviewer which can be intimidating.
6. Don't sit before you're asked to.
Sitting down before your interviewer does is considered rude and inconsiderate. You should wait for them to ask you to take a seat or wait until they sit. After you sit down, be sure to remain in a position that conveys confidence. Sit tall and try to occupy as much space as possible. Make eye contact and lean in slightly so you seem interested in what the interviewer has to say.
7. Be mindful of eye contact in panel interviews
Panel interviews are the worst. But you can ace them with this tip. Make sure you keep everyone's attention by making eye contact with each person at different times during your response. Always make eye contact with the person who asked you the question first. Then make random eye contact with each of the other people on the panel. As you finish your response, turn to the person that asked the question.
8. Always ask them a few questions.
At the end of the interview, you're always given the chance to ask them a few questions as well. It might be tempting to say you don't have any but they don't like to hear that. Asking questions shows them that you're truly interested in the job. If you really can't think of any questions a great one to ask is "What are some of the hardest problems your department is facing right now?" and another one is "What type of employee tends to really excel here?"
No one likes going to job interviews. It can make you really nervous but if you believe in yourself, show as much confidence as you can, and follow these tips, you'll do great.
References:
BusinessInsider.com. 15 Things You Should Do Right Before A Job Interview. Accessed at http://www.businessinsider.com/what-you-should-do-right-before-a-job-interview-2016-4 on July 5, 2018.
Glassdoor.com. 5 Tips: Best Times To Schedule An Interview. Accessed at https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/5-tips-times-schedule-interview on July 5, 2018.
