Ten ways to ace your job interview

Hello guys, You received a phone call inviting you for a job interview. You almost jumped for joy and started planning out what to buy on your first paycheck. Reality check please. Don’t count the chicks unless the eggs are already hatched. Bear in mind that a job interview is not an assurance that you’ll bag the position. You must work very hard to get it. Below are some tips that would surely help you get that job you so covet.

Research. It is a must do. Research on the organization before you face the interview board. Best way to do this to check out their websites. You will find all relevant details and everything else you need to know. You need not memorize all the words written in their website to impress the interviewer; just a meager familiarity with the company would do. If you are already in job and applied for a company in same industry, you can go a bit deeper, like the market dynamics, competitors etc. Don’t make up stories: if you really don’t know the answer, say so.

Plan Your Clothes. The night before the interview, it is always advisable to plan what you are going to wear. Something formal and elegant looking is enough for the event. Be sure, however, that you are comfortable in what you are going to wear. Keep your clothes as modest as possible. For ladies, you can glam up your look with some accessories, keep in mind not to overdo it. Model your overall look the night before in front of a full-length mirror: from the hairstyle down to your shoes.

Make a Checklist. Be sure to make a checklist of what you are going to carry. Always carry an extra resume because interviewers usually ask for it even though you have already submitted one before. Always keep a pen and paper handy in case you need to write something. A breath freshener is also a must if you plan to eat before the interview.

Be on Time. Arrive 20-25 minutes early so you still have some ample time to relax and check yourself. This will also reduce your anxieties.

Be Nice and gentle to Everyone. Smile at everyone who greets you while you are on your way to the building and while waiting. You'll never know if you may have already bumped into your interviewer. Besides, you may make a few friends who may prove crucial to your career eventually. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain with being nice.

Be Considerate and Courteous. When it’s your time to be interviewed, be sure your cell phone is turned off or in silent mode. Extend a handshake and wait till you are asked to take a seat before sitting down.

Show Confidence: Bear in mind that you are there, being interviewed, because the employer sees potential in you and that’s already a reason for you to be confident. It’s time to show that they made the right decision to call you for an interview. Convince them that you are the right person for the job. Learn to market yourself. According to Ruth Hill, in her article “Marketing Me,” if you do not show the value of yourself, you won’t survive today’s meetings industry reality. Remember, right body language, right sitting posture, active listening, eye to eye contact are the silent yet powerful messenger about your mind and thoughts. Learn to master these skills. This will help you for lifetime.

Watch out your emotional and verbal setting: This is one of the most important influencers. Watch out your pitch, pace, articulation, volume while conversing. Sentence shape, inappropriate laughter (nervous laughter), over articulation(clipping), energy and enthusiasm drop speaks a lot about your emotion and confidence proportion during interview. Avoid words like, may be, not sure, hopefully which are nonspecific in nature. They are called content dilutor as they tend to water down the meaning and gravity of sentences.

Don’t Drag the Conversation. While it is understandable that you need to sell yourself, dragging the conversation off-topic just to impress your interviewer is overdoing things. Keep your answers short, simple but with character. Be attentive and listen first to what the interviewer has to say before you start being too chatty.

Ask right question: At the end of the interviews for job, the interviewer generally gives a chance to candidate if he/she wants to ask any question to the interviewer. I have seen many candidates just stuck up here as to what to ask the interviewer and become a bit shaky. Remember, in an interview one should not miss any chance to impress the interviewer with his presence of mind and capabilities. This is also another opportunity to catch the attention at the end of interview. For your help I am listing 10 questions for you, which you can ask and draw attention. Of course, ask any one or two

1. What does your ideal candidate look like for this post and where do I stand?

2. What concerns and reservations you have about me for this position?

3. What are the most important qualities for someone to excel in this role?

4. What are the major opportunities and challenges department or organization in facing right now?

5. What is the most important thing I can accomplish in first two or three months if I am selected?

6. What training and development facilities you offer for employees in the department?

7. Can I expect an evaluation communication regarding my interview even if I am unsuccessful?

8. How long people have to typically stay in this position before getting elevation?

9. Why there is a vacancy for this post?

10. What do feel you are doing better than your competitors at this moment?

I am sure these tips are going to be helpful for you.