Rewired to get

Hired45 Tips To Ace Every Interview.

Haja Sheriffwww.hajasheriff.com

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Copyright ©2012 by Haja Sheriff

Part 1

Preparations before

the interview

1

Research the company

It is best that you know certain things about the company you are applying a job for. Researching about the company can also help you answer possible questions, since it would help you learn more about the nature of their business. Aside from that, if they ask you questions regarding their company and you are able to answer them properly, then it shows them that you are indeed interested in working for them. Check websites and do a search on the company about the latest news.

2 Review

your past interviews

Whether you were successful in all your past interviews or not, it is best that you review them for your upcoming one. This is because you can learn valuable lessons from them. Aside from that, if you committed certain mistakes in your past interviews, then you can make sure not to make such mistakes again.

3

Review the requirements for the

job

When you are scheduled for a job interview, you need to check back on the requirements that the company is looking for. This way, you would be able to compare it with your present experiences and your skills. On top of that, it would also help you focus more on your particular skills that would help you qualify more for the job you want.

4Make

copies of your CV

There are times when there would be more than one person who would interview you. It is a good idea to bring extra copies of your resume, so that you can hand it over to them. Interviewers would usually jot down notes on the applicant’s resume; and, by making sure that each one of them has a copy of yours, you are making their job easier, which may score you some points.

5Practice selling

yourself.

You should know how to sell yourself to your prospective employer. There may be a chance that you are not the most qualified candidate for the job; however, there is always a better way to present yourself to your interviewers, so that they would see that you are the best job applicant they have talked to for the week.

6Practice Shaking Hands

A handshake can tell someone a lot about a person. It is best to have a firm handshake, but not too hard, so that they can see that you are a confident person and someone whom they can rely on. Practice!

7Practice

your introductio

n

In an interview, there is always going to be the usual introduction, in which you would be telling the interviewers about your name, age, school attended, and such. It is best that you prepare your own spiel for this. By doing that, you would be having a good start, which can be a factor that can determine your entire performance.

8Prepare an answer for why you

are leaving your job?

When an interviewer checks your resume and see that you are either about to leave your previous job or already left it months ago, then he would ask you a question about it. Provide a positive answer for it, such as career development. Don’t provide any kind of negative comment about your previous company.

9Prepare to

answer about your strengths

and weaknesse

s

Interviewers in most cases would ask you about your strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to your strengths, focus more on the things that you are used to doing, in which you are able to develop your skills. For your weaknesses, it is best to focus more on how you were able to come up with ways in improving yourself, or overcoming your weaknesses

10Prepare to talk about

your experience

s.

Based on the research of the role and the company, provide them with answers, which will show them that you have gone through certain tasks, which can help you in doing your job well if you work in their company. Focus more on your experiences that are related to the job you want to have.

11Prepare to

share examples

of how you went

beyond the call of duty

Interviewers are in constant search for workers who would go an extra mile in either serving the company, or its customers. Prepare telling a short story, which would show them how you go beyond the expectations of your employers or customers, so that they can also expect that from you in this company.

12Be precise

in your answers. Don’t say more than required.

Be precise in your answers. Answer the question asked. Avoid going beyond the question as it could open up areas that you may not want to expose to the interviewer. Also you do not want to give the sense that you are exaggerating.

13Prepare an answer for

the question why they

should hire you.

This is the question that would give you the chance to tell them about how interested you are in working for them. Aside from that, you should also support your claim that you are the best candidate by mentioning some of your skills, which may help you perform at your best for the job you are applying for.

14Prepare an

answer about your

future goals

When an interviewer ask you about where you would see yourself in 5 or 10 years, then he is trying to see if you are planning to have a short term or a long term engagement with them. Thus, it is best to choose your answer wisely, since it can be the final question that can determine the outcome of the interview.

15Prepare

your references

Your potential employer would ask you for character references. It is best that you indicate them in your resume. If not, then be prepared in writing their names and contact details on a piece of paper, when asked. Just make sure that you ask your friends’ and colleagues’ permission beforehand, so that they won’t get surprised.

16Groom

yourself for the

interview

Get a haircut!Get a manicure done.Get any other work done to make your skin look right for the day. The better you feel, the more confidence you will exude in the interview.

17Plan your route in advance

When you are on your way to the place for the interview, you don’t want to get stuck in traffic and become late for it. Thus, it is best that you plan your route to the place, so that you can avoid any kind of traffic disturbances. You can do your research about this through the internet, or you can also go there a day or two before the interview, just to check on the best roads to take.

18Take only

things that are

required

When you go to the venue for your interview, you don’t want to be bothered with too many things to take care of. It is best that you bring only those things that you really need. Bring a pen, a notepad, copies of resumes and other things, which you may think that you really need, prior to entering the room for the interview

19Carry your business

card

After your handshake, remember it is good practice to share your business card with the interviewer. It allows you a few seconds to adjust after meeting the interviewer as he looks at your card. You can take in the room, the surroundings, a deep breath and wait to start the interview.

Part 2

On the day of the interview

20Follow your

daily routine

By taking your breakfast early or doing your usual routine earlier than usual, you would be providing yourself with extra time in preparing for the interview.

Follow your daily routine, to ensure you are calm and collected when you get to the venue.

21Eat well, but don’t overdo it.

It is best that you eat well the day before your big job interview. This is to ensure that you will be supplying your body with the nutrients that it needs, so as to prevent any kind of stress.

However, keep in mind not to overdo it, since overeating might disturb your system.

22Dress

appropriately

Wear Smart Clothes.

Iron your dress the previous evening.

Be Conservative.

Polish your shoes.

Avoid wearing garish outfits. Go for business colors.

23Arrive

early at the venue

It is always better to arrive early at the place you would be interviewed. This is to show your prospective employers that you are really interested with the job. Aside from that, it also shows them that you have good time management skills. If you are currently working, try to apply for a leave of absence to ensure that you have enough time to prepare and get to the venue.

24Use Mouth Freshener & go easy

on perfumes

Although brushing your teeth may already get things done as far as your fresh breath is concerned, it may still be best to use a breath freshener. It will make you feel more confident.

Go easy on the perfumes though. Too strong a perfume could turn your interviewer off.

25Go to the

restroom a few

minutes before the interview

By doing this, you can check how you look, as well as make sure that your bladder is empty.

26Drink a glass of water

before the interview

Whether it is going to be the final or initial interview for your job application, you can be assured that in order to get the job you want, you have to properly answer the questions asked. Drinking a glass of water before the interview starts should help ensure that your throat won’t get dried up while you are talking.

27Review

your Resume

before the interview

When potential employers ask you questions, some of these queries would be related to the facts that they are able to read from your resume. You should review your resume prior to going through the interview, so that you would be prepared in answering questions related to them.

28Relax

While you are waiting for your turn to get interviewed, relax.

Practice your introduction.

Aside from that, you should also sit back read your notes, and breathe in deeply.

29Practice

Good Posture

Whether you are already inside the room for your interview or are still waiting for it, you should always observe proper posture. When you sit or stand properly, you won’t be putting too much pressure on certain parts of your body. You will become more relaxed because of that.

30Be

Confident

Irrespective of what position you are applying for, you can be assured that your employer wants someone who is confident enough in handling himself.. When you are confident, people would be able to see it on the way you move and the way you talk

31Be

Optimistic

You should always tell yourself that you can do it. By doing that, you would eventually reach your subconscious mind, and it would provide you with more motivation and drive, in order to get the job that you have been dreaming for.

32Be

Courteous

Always remind yourself to treat the persons who will interview you with courtesy and respect. You can show this by preventing yourself from interrupting them when they are talking. Aside from that, show them that they are the ones who are in control, by simply following their lead, for the whole duration of the interview.

33Make eye contact

In order to show your interviewers that you are sincere and that you are giving honest answers to their questions, you should look at them in the eyes. Aside from that, making eye contact would also show that you are listening to them attentively.

34Shake Hands

firmly and confidently.

This is where the practice pays off. Shake hands confidently and firmly. Smile and wait for a seat to be offered. If there are more than 1 person in the room, start shaking hands with the closest person. Don’t ignore anyone in the room.

35Hand over

your business

card profession

ally.

After the handshake, keep the things you are carrying on the table, and hand over your cards to the interviewer(s). While they look through your card, take in the room, and the surroundings. Take a deep breath and wait for them to show you to your seat.

36Let the

interviewer stay in control

Even if you have become quite comfortable in discussing things with your interviewer, it is still best that you let him stay in control. This would show that you respect him, and you simply want to follow his lead in conducting the interview. When you do this, you would be able to encourage a more positive atmosphere between you and the interviewer.

37Don’t talk too fast

Aside from making sure that you understand the questions perfectly, you should also ensure that your interviewers understand everything you are saying. Therefore, you should be conscious in pacing yourself when you give out your answers. Talk in a slower manner, so that you can properly construct your sentences, and explain things clearly.

38Don’t say anything negative

about your previous

employers.

Whether you are currently employed or you have left your previous job a few months ago, you should not mention anything negative about the previous company you worked for. Be honest as you can, but always stay positive. Don’t try anything different!

39Ask

questions about the company

Let the interviewer know that you have spent time researching the company and ask questions related to the direction of the company and the team you will work with. Also ask about the goals they are working towards, and how they see you fitting in, if selected. Most interviewers like this proactive approach.

40Ask for

feedback on the

interview

Often overlooked, this is a great way to close the interview. The interviewer in most cases will give you frank feedback and that will be top of mind, when he puts in his feedback on the interview to his HR or team. It is also a good learning for you so that you can improve in the next interview.

41Ask them about the next steps

Ask the interviewer about the next steps. In most cases, they will tell you what will happen next. Ask for the timeline for you to expect some updates. Do not push if the interviewer does not give a straight answer. There could be things that are beyond him. Don’t put him in a spot.

42Write an email to

the interviewer

later

It is good courtesy to write back to the Interviewer after the interview. Thank him for the time spent for the discussions. All these steps take you farther and farther away from the rest of the contenders.

43Be

Prepared for an offer

When you feel that you are getting the job, then you should prepare yourself for a possible job offer. Thus, you should try to anticipate the kind of compensation that they could offer to you, and decide on the things that could make you decline the offer or accept it. Keep in mind that there is a big possibility that what you indicated as your salary expectation could be the same as the offer

44Be

prepared to ask for time and

avoid deciding

immediately

Take time to decide. Remember to ask for other benefits that the company provides. Unless you are applying for a job that has another 100 people waiting outside, ask for day’s time, and think about it and then respond to the company. For a good employee, the company will wait for the acceptance of the offer.

45Take notes on things you did well and

could improve the next

time

No matter how much you have prepared for the interview, there is always room for improvement. Thus, it is best that you identify the things that you could make some improvements on it, so that you would have better performance the next time. Keep in mind that the next time could also be your final interview with the same company.

Checklist to Get Hired!Please print this out to help you plan better. Tick off once done.

Research the company Review your past interviews Review requirements of the job Make copies of your CV Practice Selling yourself. Practice Shaking hands Practice Introducing yourself Prepare to answer why you are leaving your job Prepare to answer about your strengths and weaknesses Prepare to talk about your experiences Prepare to share examples of how you went beyond the call of

duty. Be precise in your answers. Don’t say more than required. Prepare an answer on why they should hire you Prepare an answer about your future goals Prepare your references Groom yourself for the interview Plan your route in advance Take only things that are required Carry your business card Follow your daily routine Eat well, but don’t overdo it Dress appropriately Arrive early at the avenue Use Mouth fresheners and go easy on perfumes Go to the restroom a few minutes before the interview Drink a glass of water before the interview Review your resume before the interview Relax Practice good posture 30. Be confident Be Optimistic Be Courteous Make eye contact Shake hands firmly and confidently Hand over the business card confidently Let the interviewer stay in control Don’t talk too fast Don’t say anything negative about your previous employer Ask questions about the company Ask feedback about the interview Ask them about the next steps Write an email to the interviewer Be prepared for an offer Be prepared to ask for time and avoid deciding immediately Take notes on things you did well and that you could improve the

next time.

All the best!

www.hajasheriff.com