Let’s take you back to your first-ever job interview before numerous other job interviews. Remember the light bulb going off when you were asked, “Tell me about yourself?” You forgot how to mention your name, placing your middle name first. Remember taking your seat before the interviewer offered it? These are situations that occur during job interviews.
Do you have a job interview coming up? Here are nine do’s and don’ts during job interviews.
Table of Contents
1. Don’t Arrive Late
Arriving late to a job interview is not advisable. You do not want to have ragged and distorted thoughts because it is ten minutes to the interview. Before the day of the job interview, shoes need to be cleaned up, clothes ironed, and documents made, set and ready. Calculate the time it would take to arrive at the destination and arrive about fifteen to twenty minutes before the interview.
2. Don’t Take Your Seat Before It Is Offered
Sometimes, because of fright, job seekers do not prepare sufficiently for interviews, forgetting something as minor as this. But interviewers look at this as a sign of courtesy. Keep it in mind. Only offer a greeting and wait to be told to have a seat.
3. Don’t Set Your Phone Ring Tone High
Do not be like other job seekers who act unconcerned and leave their phone ringtones on high. It is better to silence the phone for just a few minutes.
4. Don’t Interrupt The Interviewer
Active listening is a soft skill. Always listen attentively and only ask questions when the interviewer is done. Only show signs of attentiveness or active listening, but don’t interrupt with unnecessary jokes and questions. This enables you to find appropriate answers to the questions asked.
5. Don’t Badmouth Previous Employers
One common question asked during interviews is, “Why did you leave your last job?” You might be convinced to tell all the bad that happened at the workplace or paint your boss badly. In answering this question, for example, you can just state, “ I have reached a point in my career where I am seeking new opportunities for new challenges that will provide growth.”
6. Don’t Overstate Your Qualifications
When asked, “Why should we hire you?” in an interview, do not attempt to exaggerate. This is the time to sell yourself to the employer and share what sets you apart. Don’t forget you are not the only person interviewing for the role. In answering this question, you can say, “Having worked with different companies that have a broad spectrum of cultures, I have developed good teamwork skills, and as part of my career growth journey, I have also learnt through academics and mentorship critical job skills for the role I am currently applying for.“
7. Never Ask About Salary Too Early
At Jobberman’s recently ended carer fair and employer forum, which sought to bridge the gap between job seekers and employers, one of our recruitment experts mentioned how to answer the question, “What are your salary expectations?” He noted that one of the extensive research projects a job seeker must undertake before going to an interview is to research the industry’s base salary. Employers pay based on their budget, industry amount, and the role’s workload. So, next time you prepare for a job interview, figure out the average salary for the role you picked up and how it matches your skill sets and needs, then negotiate accordingly. Remember, it is a one-time chance. Don’t play the humble dragon.
8. Do Not Use Negative Language
Avoid using phrases such as “It’s impossible to…,” “There’s no way,” “Bad,” “Awful,” etc. Make sure to use only neutral words and positive phrases such as “try my best,” “we can find a solution,” etc. Be solution-oriented, as that is what employers are looking for. People with objective minds are constantly looking not to put blame but rather to find solutions. Be that person in this interview.
9. Don’t Over-rehearse
It is good to set possible questions for the interview, but don’t sound too scripted. The interviewer is looking for a moment of communication, so keep the flow and let it sound more relaxed, like you never rehearsed, just like an actor.
DOs
1. Rehearse
Some people might not do this, but not for you reading this article. Practice a list of questions related to the job and how you will answer when ‘tough’ questions are thrown at you. Just don’t sound too scripted.
2. Research The Company
Why would you decide to work for a company you know nothing about? Get information about the company because you will be asked what you know about the company. Most employers ask the following question, “What do you know about the company?” The question seeks to uncover what you have learned about the company, what you know about its culture, and how passionate you are about getting into it and working for it. Don’t quote what you read from the company’s website. Understand what they do, figure out its key mission, and express yourself.
3. Dress Appropriately
To avoid dressing off, just dress formally, meaning your best, simple, professional look. And yes, please, no colourful combinations. Corporate workplaces have specific colours they find appropriate. Find out what colours fit the company culture and dress accordingly. If it is a black suit with a pair of trousers, keep them ironed with either black or brown shoes in the same colour socks.
4. Sit Confidently
There is a slight difference between confidence and over-confidence. Don’t overplay your posture. Sit upright and make eye contact. That is the confident look, but do not overplay it. When you slack in the chair, it portrays low self-confidence. Sit like a lady and sit like a gentleman.
5. Ask Questions
Remember point four in the do’s? When you listen without interrupting the interviewer, you will find appropriate answers and questions to ask. So, ask relevant questions after listening. Even so, when asked, “Do you have any questions?” ask necessary questions such as the welfare plan, opportunity for growth, insurance, leave, remuneration, and start and closing times.
6. Be Yourself
Authenticity is an asset, so let your personality and genuine interest in the company shine through the interview. Employers enjoy a passionate worker. So, express your interest in the job by showcasing the things that identify you. If you are lively, show it, but don’t overdo it. Consider all the points mentioned above to balance your personality.
7. Arrive Early
The first point in this article was never to arrive late. That’s the resolution. Always arrive fifteen to thirty minutes before the interview time. You do not want to arrive unkempt and are now looking for your documents.
8. Be Concise
Keep your answers concise and focused. Avoid going off-topic. If you talk too much, pause and ask if you’ve answered the question sufficiently. Clear and concise communication is valued in any workplace.
9. Re-read The Job Description
It is important to understand what job role you are picking up. Does the job description match your qualifications, skills, and abilities? Actively read the job description. If you do not understand anything at all, make sure to ask it all during the interview. You do not want to be found wanting when you assume the role.
Interviews can be challenging, but by following these dos and don’ts, you can present yourself in the best possible light. So, prepare with the right questions, dress appropriately, and arrive on time to ace your game at your next interview.
