Improve Your Job Interview Skills to Get Your Dream Job
The old saying, many apply but few are hired, is definitely still true. The recession that is occurring globally has caused many businesses to close the doors and not to reopen. Management troubles also played a big part in this. Things defiantly do look sad but you can make the best of it if you have the necessary job interview skill sets.
While some may think that this skill set is new, many people have been practicing it as they go through the many interviews it takes to gain employment. These skills work wonders not matter which type of interview you are attending. It could be a simple screening interview, a second interview, a group interview or a panel interview. The skills just need some minor alterations depending on which type you are being put through but if you have mastered them you are sure to do well in any forum. Now, put that together with higher qualifications and you would be set, but that is for the next article.
Below are the skills that you must work on and have mastered before you enter the interview room. You do not need to feel too stressed because these skills, when given the right amount of effort, time and money, can be fine tuned into perfection.
The Skills to Dress Appropriately
As understated as it may sound, the first impression that you provide will be what carries you through to the second and third set of interviews. Of course this will only help if you look outstanding for the first interview and it all goes well.
You will only completely understand what is necessary to dress for the job interview if you understand what business attire really is and how conservative it is. This job interview skill is one that nearly anyone should understand, even the newest graduate entering the work force. The women that are interviewing are recommended to wear skirts or a suit with pants and incorporate a blouse that is modest in appearance. She should wear hose that is natural toned and should wear a pair of black, sharp pumps. She should finish off the outfit with some accessories that really make the outfit shine. Men should take a conservative approach by wearing a suite that is grey, navy or black that is either solid or has pinstripes. The dress shirt should be a solid color like blue or white and the tie should be silky looking. He should wear socks that match and shoes that have been polished and have laces.
Being Prepared Is a Skill
The Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts teach their participants young to always be prepared and this advice is some that works well in the role of interviews as well. You are soon to find out that if you are prepared it is much better than relying on being lucky to get you through. This is why it is important that you master some job interview skills fairly quickly.
Here are some of the most basic steps to follow:
Spend some time gathering as much information as you can about the company and the job that you are trying to get. You can gather information from the internet, from trade magazines, or by simply asking around to people that is currently working in the trade. You will make a great impression if you look prepared and well informed and it will show that you have a real interest in getting job that you are applying for, all of which looks great on your part.
Really analyze your personal strengths and weaknesses so you can come up with the best elevator pitch as the question, tell us about yourself, comes into play in the interview.
You can begin by making a list of the responsibilities that you have held in your current and previous positions and how you have advanced yourself. You should be prepared to speak positively about the employers that you have had as no interviewer will enjoy listening to you speaking so negatively about them. You can do this without lying; you just have to keep it positive.
Set specific goals for your future, both professional and personal goals. You may just be asked about them during the interview.
You will surely be more likely to approach the interview process with a cool and calm demeanor if you have given yourself the necessary time to get prepared. You will not babble on or give bad answers if you are had done enough preparing.
Confidence as a Skill
You can use confidence as a skill and build on it as you go through an interview process. It does take some time to really perfect the skill but when it is combined with preparation and qualification you are sure to do well in the interview, and hopefully better than the other applicants.
The idea behind confidence is that you still have a firm grasp on the line that divides knowing exactly what you can provide to a company and believing that you have everything that they are looking for. You must stay balanced so that you can show self confidence but not seem to be super arrogant. Once you have figured out the balance you will surely do well in any interview.
The first time you meet face to face with the prospective employer will be in an interview setting. You have to do all that you can to impress them and show them that you are as valuable as your resume has shown them prior to the personal meeting. You should continue to polish all of your job interview skill sets now so you are prepared when the next interview approaches.