How to Ace Your Job Interview
How to Ace Your Job Interview
Nouf Aloraini
Job hunters believe that the only thing getting between them and their dream job is their academic grades or their CV. Believe it or not, employers are looking for much more than these “logics.” I am not exaggerating if I say that it is your performance during the job interview that makes it or breaks it.
Please take the following tips into consideration BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER the interview.
Before the job interview
It is advised that you read a lot about the institution you intend working for. How is their work environment? What is their mission, their message and overall scope of work? Is this the company one that your goals align with and through which you can progress and develop? What sort of skills they look for and “hunt” in future employees so you can highlight them in the CV and the interview. You can use your connections, or search the internet and check the company’s social media to find answers to such questions.
The next step is revising your CV, making sure that it is impeccable and looking professional. You should have submitted a copy prior to applying and getting an interview. Any ways, there is always room for improvements. It is also advised to bring an updated CV copy to the interview and any other supporting documents and business cards, preferably organized in a file, not just a bunch of messy papers.
After that, ask friends and family members about their experience when they got interviewed. What sort of questions were they asked? How did they deal with trap questions? What did they wear? And at what time they arrived? Ask about every single detail, because details matter. Next, practice with a family member or a dear friend. For example, have him/her ask you the most common 30 questions used in job interviews and let him/her evaluate your performance and provide feedback. Another good idea is to videotape yourself answering the questions so you can see your body language and pay attention to facial expressions and tone of voice.
Some questions/situations prepare for are:
Talk about yourself.
Why did you choose us?
Why should we choose you?
What are your negatives and positives?
Trap questions. (e.g., obviously you were not hired before because you are not that good. How would you defend yourself?)
Prepare to provide a proper explanation for any weakness in your academic record.
They might try to push your buttons and make you agitated. Don’t fall for it & remain calm.
What is your proudest achievement?
How do you see yourself 5 years from now?
The day of the interview
Keep in mind that first impressions last forever. Make sure you get dressed properly. Should you dress formal, casual, or business casual? You will decide based on your previous enquiries and investigations. Again, pay attention to the details, have a good breakfast and brush your teeth again after. Make sure your outfit is ironed, your shoes are polished, and that your nails are lipped and clean. Avoid wearing strong perfumes and too much makeup, as it might reflect a negative image about you. Finally, be on time. Punctuality tells a lot about your personality and the level of commitment to the job.
During the job interview: Let the show begin!
Start your interview by greeting the interviewers and thanking them for their time and for the opportunity. Maintain a good eye contact, it tells a lot about your confidence. Also, listen to the questions carefully in order to answer properly. Ask to repeat the question if you did not understand it, and give it a thought or two before answering. Be calm, don’t forget to smile, and pay attention to the level of formality when addressing the interviews. You can employ different hesitations and politeness strategies to achieve that. For example, if you want to say that you disagree, make it less evident through a hesitation is preferable and sounds more polite. Compare:
I disagree.(X)
I am afraid I have to disagree here. (√)
Because this is your interview, It does not mean you are there only to answer questions. It is your right to ask questions and state your opinion as well if required, as long as you are polite and logical. However, avoid asking too much question, interrupting the speakers, talking negatively about your X-employer and sounding TOO confident. Such behaviors will raise questions about your loyalty and social interactions.
After the interview
This is your time to ask questions if you have not had the chance, including when and how to expect a reply. Smile before leaving, shake the interviews hands and then thank them again for their time and efforts. Don’t forget to state that it was a pleasure meeting them.
In the end, practice does make perfect. The more you prepare for the interview and take it seriously, the higher the chances are that you will get your dream job. Just stay focused and hunt your dream.
Written by: Ms. Nouf Aloraini
A lecturer at KSU university
