How To Prepare For A Job Interview

In my previous job, I interviewed over 800 potential employees. From experience I am able to tell you what you should and shouldn't do in a job interview, and how to prepare for it

Job Interviews

My Experience As A Job Interviewer

In my previous job I interviewed over 800 potential employees. I've interviewed people of all types and from all walks of like. I've interviewed people who come to their job interview in shorts, chewing gum, smelling like a perfume factory, and empty handed. I've interviewed individuals who had bad breath, inappropriate communication, and poor attire and grooming. From experience, I can tell you some of the things you should do to prepare for your job interview, and the things you should and should not do during your job interview.

The Dos and Don'ts of Job Interviewing

Job Interview Dos:

Be prepare for your job interview.
Get plenty of rest the night before your job interview, and eat a healthy breakfast on the morning of your interview.
Research the company to find out as much information about company as you can. You may be asked several questions about the company in your job interview.
Go over your resume to check for typos.
Bring extra copies of your resume to the job interview.
Bring directions and contact names and number to your interview. You may get lost on the way, have to call the company, or forget your contact's name.
Wear professional attire to your interview. Look groomed.
Arrive on time.
Turn off your cell phone.
Greet your job interviewer with a handshake.
Make eye contact throughout the interview.
Speak slowly and clearly. Use proper grammar and full sentences during your interview. Before you answer the interviewer's questions, think about the question and your answer before you respond.
Practice for your job interview. Ask a friend to do a mock interview with you.
Ask questions of your own.
Be honest with your answers.
Relax so you don't look nervous or anxious.
Be respectful and have manners.

Job Interview Don'ts

Be late.
Dress inappropriately. Don't wear wrinkled, stained or provocative clothing. Don't wear sandals, flip flops or really high heeled shoes.
Chew gum or suck on mints during your job interview.
Wear too much cologne or perfume. It is best to wear none at all because your interviewer could have allergies.
Wear to much makeup.
Don't talk too loud, too fast or too much. Don't use slang language and don't interrupt.
Lie and say what you think the job interviewer wants to hear.
Talk bad about your previous employers.
Slouch during your interview. Sit up straight. Be aware of your body language.
Avoid eye contact.
Bring up salary or other job perks at the beginning of your interview.
Make jokes or make wise-cracks. Your interview is not your friend.
Don't smell like smoke. Don't smoke before your job interview, and stay away from second hand smoke so it won't get on your clothing. You don't want to smell like cigarettes at your job interview.

Things To Bring To Your Job Interview

Never attend a job interview empty handed. Here are some items that you should bring to your job interview.

Resume and extra copies of them.
Portfolio that hilights your qualifications.
Contact Names,
Pen and paper for note taking.
A file or small briefcase to hold your contact information, resumes, portfolio, contact information, and pen and paper.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Briefcase

Amazon Job Interview Books

Acing the Interview: How to Ask and Answer the Questions That Will Get You the Job

301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions

Interview Follow Up

1-2 Days After Job Interview

Follow up with a thank you letter the day after your job interview. Send a thank you letter to each person you interviewed with. Check your letter for spelling and grammar errors before sending.

7-10 Days After Job Interview

Follow up with a phone call. Ask about the position. If it hasn't been filled yet, and you are still a candidate, the phone call is the time to start building a rapport.