Mastering the Art of Job Interviews: Dos and Don'ts
Learn what you should and shouldn’t do in a job interview to make an excellent first impression.
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash
Work interviews can determine whether you land the role of your dreams or go back to the application pile. It might feel terrifying and a nerve-wracking experience, but we assure you there’s nothing to be afraid of if you come prepared.
In this post, we’ll talk about the ultimate do’s and don’ts of job interviews, including what you should do before and during one as well as what you must avoid at all costs.
The Importance Of Job Interviews
Job interviews allow recruiters to know candidates beyond what they see on paper, such as key details about their previous work, what they think about specific changes or innovations in the industry, as well as how they respond to critical questions in a short period.
If you’ve been called for an interview, you must spend time preparing for it. You need to be familiar with the industry and company you’re applying for, as well as some regular questions they might ask. By doing a little research, you can respond confidently, avoid awkward silences and your mind going blank.
The Do’s: Research, Prepare & Practice
Researching the company and role you’re applying to is the number one “do”. Memorize key details such as recent awards or acknowledgments the company received as well as massive changes they applied. If they’re receiving a lot of attention from the press or people due to a controversy, you might be expected to share your opinion.
Prepare answers for some classic work interview questions like “how do you see yourself in 5 years?”, “what can you bring to the company?”, and “what challenges did you face in your previous role that you’ve successfully overcome?”.
Practice, practice, practice. Ask a friend to interview you or watch many mock interview videos to get a sense of how you can respond and how recruiters carry out the interview. If you have connections with recruiters or hiring managers, you can ask for some job interview tips to further prepare for the meeting
The Don’ts: Lack of Hearing, Rambling & Negativity
Lack of hearing is a very common job interview “don’t”. Not listening properly or even interrupting what your interviewer is saying can lead to misunderstandings or answering a completely different thing than what you were asked.
Rambling should be avoided at all costs. Unless you’re talking about a passion you have (related to work), throwing out random sentences can be taken as unprofessional. Try your best to provide concise answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when you feel fit.
Negativity is a big no-no when it comes to answering work interview questions. If they ask why you left your previous job, avoid talking negatively about the workplace, and colleagues. Always stay positive during your interview, and if a challenging question appears, take your time to come up with a professional yet honest answer.
Final Words
Meeting with recruiters can feel scary, but with the job interview tips shared above we’re sure you’ll make a good first impression. Take your time to learn more about the company and role you’re applying for and have some answers ready for common questions. If you’re asked about something you haven’t planned, keep the answer positive and concise.
Keywords: job interview job interview tips work interview/ questions