Top Tips for a Successful Job Interview

Congratulations! The time has come to get out there and get yourself a new job. With everything else going on in your life it might seem a bit daunting. Lots of people tell me that they get nervous prior to an interview because they don’t know what to expect. So plan, prepare and practice some of your answers to the obvious questions and you’ll be likely to nail that job you covet!

Here are a few simple tips to help you on your way in an interview:

1. Analyse your audience. Do some research on the company and your interviewer. Ask yourself: “what will they be thinking, feeling and doing when I arrive?” and then work out what you want them to be thinking, feeling and doing when you’ve finished your interview.

2. Be Prepared. Work out what they might ask you and then plan what you’ll say in your answers. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! You’ll feel a whole lot more confident if you know you have prepared well.

3. Build rapport. Just remember – It’s ALL about rapport! Rapport is a connection or relationship with another and it’s easier to build rapport with people who are like us. We like people who are like ourselves – find common ground.

4. Believe in yourself. If you don’t believe you are the best person for the job then you can be sure the interviewer won’t either.

5. Give yourself time to compose an answer. Don’t feel that you have to immediately jump in with your answer.

6. The interviewer wants to know about you and your suitability for the position, so it is important to emphasise your achievements. Relate specific examples of where you have demonstrated your proficiency in certain areas.

7. Make sure you do not criticize your current or former employer.

8. Put yourself on their team. Link yourself with the prospective employer by using the employer’s name and products or services.

9. Image is as important as content. The way you look and the way you say something are just as important as what you say.

10. Ask Questions. Write out specific questions you want to ask. Then look for opportunities to ask them during the interview. It’s not a great idea to ask about benefits or salary too early in the process.

11. Maintain a conversational flow. Make conversation rather than simply waiting for the interviewer to question you.

12. Ask for the job. Tell the interviewer you’d really like the job. It is worth making a succinct and positive statement about why you are the best person for the position.

13. Keep an interview journal. As soon as possible, write a brief summary of what happened.

14. Prepare and send a brief, concise thank you letter. Restate your skills and what you can do for the company.

Try these tips and you’ll be nicely prepared for interview success. Best of luck!

About the Author
Michelle Bowden is a Presentation and Influence specialist.  The author of How to Present: the ultimate guide to presenting your ideas and influencing people using techniques that actually work, Michelle has facilitated her Influential Presentation Skills program over 600 times for many thousands of people and is known for her ability to transform everyone into confident, engaging and persuasive presenters so they get more of what they want in their life.  For more information please visit www.michellebowden.com.au

Title: How to Present: The ultimate guide to presenting your ideas and influencing people using techniques that actually work
Author: Michelle Bowden
Publisher: Wiley.com
ISBN: 978-1-1184-7624-6
RRP: AUD $27.95 / NZD $31.99
Publication Date: November 2012