It's important to put your best foot forward on the day of an interview.
Today’s the big day! Interview day. You’ve crafted the perfect resume and cover letter, and now it’s time to show your potential employer what you have to offer. But how can you best prepare yourself for the questions?
It can be challenging and nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be if you’ve done your homework. Here are a few tips from CareerBuilder to help you shine:
Research, research, research. Recent surveys have shown that lack of knowledge about the company is the No. 1 reason candidates get passed over in job interviews. And it’s important to go beyond the organization’s website — check out any recent articles that have been written about them, read industry publications, and talk to members of your network.
Practice answering general questions. Chances are the interviewer is going to ask you what your greatest weakness is — be brief but candid, and if you’ve already taken steps to overcome it, that’s all the better.
Expect the unexpected. “What’s your favorite animal?” “If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be and why?” Interviewers can ask some pretty off the wall questions, but they’re mostly just looking to see how creative you can be and how gracefully you can think on your feet.
Get the logistics out of the way the night before. Think you’ll need a map to find the place? Print it out the night before. Think you might get lost? Make sure you have your contact person’s number in your phone, so you can call them in a pinch. Need to iron your blouse? Do it the night before, so you can focus on mentally prepping the day of, without having to worry about your wardrobe.
What other tips and tricks would you add to this list?
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Photo credit: JodiWomack
