Even though the overall economy has been dreadfully bleak for some time now, jobs are starting to pop up all over the county of Fresno. Finding a job is a rather lengthy process and does require time and energy. After sending off a resume or filling out an application, landing an interview is the next goal in sight.
The interviewing process is a way for an individual to argue a case about why he or she deserves the spot more than any other person. There are some tricks to having a great interview, and making that first impression is the key.
Be punctual
Every employer demands it. Show up on time or even earlier than the set meeting. This is a great way to show interest in the job. Employers love to find individuals who have a sense of time and can arrive on the job in a timely manner.
Dress Professionally
Dressing in a professionally shows that the interviewee is serious about the job. But not all work environments call for a suit and tie. Looking the part plays a big role. Men should typically wear at least a nice button down and appropriate pants. Women should wear nice dress pants and a top that isn’t too revealing. Dresses and skirts are also appropriate in most cases.
Do Your Research
Being prepared is a huge advantage. Knowing a company’s product or how they work is a plus that can get you some extra brownie points with the interviewer. If you have previous experience in the given field, don’t be afraid to speak up. Having a resume on hand not only looks professional, but gives the employer a quick background on your schooling, previous employers and possible references (for a resume template, visit
www.resumetemplates.org).
Be Yourself
The best advice for an interview is to just be you. As cheesy as it may be, your particular personality will win you the job. Be confident and show enthusiasm. Avoid speaking in slangs, and use proper English. Doing so shows your intelligence and allows for your potential employer to see your academic side. Making eye contact also shows assurance in yourself and interest in what the interviewer is saying to you.
Think Your Answers Through
When answering questions, make sure you give yourself time to develop a full response. Don’t jump into it too quickly. By taking some time to put together a reply, you will be more likely to answer the question fully. The hardest question tends to be, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Sure, we all know what our strengths are, but pointing out our weaknesses forces us to see the things that we need to improve on. Most individuals like to think that they are the spitting image of perfection, which tends to be far from the truth. Don’t hesitate to ask a family member, close friend, or teacher what they see as your weakness. It may be hard to hear, but having the ability to know what you must improve on will come across very well to an employer.
Ask Questions
Following the interview, the person may ask if you have any questions. This is the opportunity for you to ask anything to feel you need to know about the company, the work that is potentially going to be asked of you, or even when you are expected to hear back.
Allow Time before Calling Them
Give at least three days before calling back the employer to see about the position. If they mentioned that they would be conducting interviews all week, give them the opportunity to see who else is available. Be courteous and send a quick email to say thanks; don’t be afraid to remind them of what you could potentially bring to the job.
Stay Calm
Most importantly, always remember to stay calm. Being nervous can potentially lead to a disaster. Even if you are nervous, try to conceal it by taking deep breaths or having a friend help you practice your response to interview questions (for practice interview questions, visit http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org).
There are always opportunities to find work regardless of how sluggish the economy is at the moment. Be on a constant search for employment; you may find something totally unexpected which may lead to an interview and possibly, a job. Finally, don’t let the search break you.