Things you should and shouldn’t do at a job interview
Getting a job offer may be easier if you do well in an interview. Knowing what to do and what not to do can be the difference between getting a job offer and missing out on a chance. Hiring managers and committees can tell if you are ready for an interview or not. You’ll know what to expect at job interviews and how to make a good impression on potential employers if you follow these tips. Things you should and shouldn’t do at a job interview
What to do and not to do in an interview
Follow these interview tips as you get ready for your interview and think about all the ways your behavior can affect your chances of getting the job:
- Getting ready for a job interview
- the way they look and behave
- Interview questions
- Questions to ask the person who is interviewing you
1. Prepare for your interview.
Do’s
- Do: Don’t put off getting ready for the interview until the night before.
- Do: Write down all the things you need to bring.
- Do: Make sure you know how to get to the interview location and time yourself to see how long it will take.
- Do: Plan your outfit for the interview ahead of time and make sure it’s clean and, if necessary, ironed.
- Do: Make sure you get enough sleep the night before so you can be alert and on task.
- Do: Find out about the company’s history, mission, and recent changes.
- Do: Plan how you will answer common interview questions.
- Do: Print at least five hard copies of your resume, just in case your interviewers don’t have their own.
- Do: Ask the hiring manager ahead of time how your interview will be set up so you can be ready.
Don’ts
- Don’t get ready for an interview the morning of. You might be late for your interview if something unexpected comes up, which could change how the hiring manager sees you at first.
- Don’t: get there late. You should give yourself enough time to get to the interview ten minutes early at least.
- Don’t try to remember the answers you gave at your last interview. Instead, think about what you want to say most.
2. Their appearance and behavior
Do’s
- Do: Make sure you look clean and confident.
- Do: Wear something simple and comfortable that doesn’t draw attention away from you or the hiring manager.
- Do: Sit up straight and put your shoulders back to show you’re sure of yourself.
- Do: Smile and look people in the eyes. show the person conducting the interview that you want to talk.
Don’ts
- Don’t wear clothes that are too loud or perfume that is too strong because they can be annoying.
- Don’t: move your hands around a lot or fidget.
- Don’t try to dress down or casually to look like the people. It is always better to dress more professionally than not professionally enough.
- Don’t cross your arms or do anything else that could make you look like you’re not interested.
3. Interview questions
Do’s
- Do: Practice answering common interview questions to get ready for the interview.
- Do: Practicing in front of a mirror will help you pay more attention to your body language and facial expressions, which are both very important for a successful interview.
- Do: Ask someone you trust, like a friend or coworker, to be your interviewer. They should be able to tell you things that you can do better.
- Do: Smile as the person asking you questions talks to you.
- Do: Take a moment to think about what they’re asking before you answer. Say, “That is a really good question. Let me take a moment to think about that.”
- Do: Showcase the skills and experience that make you a good candidate for the job. Try to answer most of their questions with examples of these whenever you can.
- Do: Always answer in a positive, professional way. It’s important to give positive answers if the interviewer asks you about a previous job or why you want to leave your current job. Talking about old jobs should be done in a professional and polite way.
- Do: Tell the truth about all of your past jobs. For example, if you have gaps in your work history or have been laid off or fired, be ready to explain why and how you have grown from these experiences.
Don’ts
- Don’t: give too many details. The interviewer wants to know more about you, but if you tell long stories or talk about things that have nothing to do with the job, they might not pay attention to your qualifications. Short answers that are about the job and the company are best.
- *Don’t: ramble. When you’re nervous, you won’t say or say more than you need to if you already know what you want to say in your answers.
- Don’t forget to listen to what your interviewer is saying and keep your mind on what they are saying. Use this information to give them more direct answers to their questions.
- Don’t talk over the person interviewing you if you have a question or want to know more. Wait until there is a break in the conversation and then ask short questions. It’s important to show that you understand what they’re saying or asking by asking questions that are related to what they’re saying or asking.
4. Ask some questions of the interviewer
Do’s
- Do: Ask them what’s going on. Having your own questions ready shows that you did research on the company and want to work there.
- Do: Ask well-thought-out questions that relate to what the interviewer has said.
- Do: Write down what they tell you when you ask them questions. This shows that you want to remember what they say and are interested in what they have to say.
Don’ts
- Don’t: come unprepared. Even if you did research on the company before the interview and didn’t think of any questions, you should still write down questions to ask during the interview. Asking questions about the company and what it does shows that you’re interested in it.
- Don’t: ask simple questions. Your questions should get the person interviewing you to talk about what the job entails. You could ask, for example, how reports are made or with which departments you could work. You can also ask the interviewer what they do and what they like best about it.
- Don’t talk about money in your interview. If the interviewer asks how much money you want, you can give a range that makes you feel good. But if you ask about pay too soon, it might look like you’re only interested in the job for the money.