Job interviewing never seems to get any easier – even when you have gone on more interviews than you can count. You are always meeting new people, having to sell yourself and your skills, and often getting the third degree about what you know or don’t know. And, you have to stay upbeat and enthusiastic throughout each interview.

Here are job interview tips to help prepare you to interview effectively. Proper preparation will help alleviate some of the stress involved in job interviews and the more you prepare, the more comfortable and successful you will be interviewing.

Job Interview Tips

Practice

Practice answering interview questionsand practice your responses to the typicaljob interview questions and answers most employers ask. Think of concrete examples you can use to highlight your skills. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to promote your candidacy. Also have a list of your own questions to ask the employerready.

Research

Do your homework about the employer and the industry so you are ready for the question What do you know about this company? Know the interviewer’s name and use it during the job interview. If you’re not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview. Try to relate what you have learned about the company when answering questions.

Get Ready

Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.

Be On Time

Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early. If need be, take some time to drive to the interview location ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there. Here’s more on preparing for an interview.

Stay Calm

During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm possible. Remember that your body language says as much about you as your answers to the questions. Proper preparation will allow you to exude confidence. Take a moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question (active listening) before you answer and pay attention – you will be embarrassed if you forget the question. Check out these tips for avoiding job interview stress to help stay calm. Also review our interview tips for introverts.

Show What You Know

Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.  When discussing your career accomplishments match them to what the company is looking for. Use examples from your research when answering questions, “I noticed that when you implemented a new software system last year, your customer satisfaction ratings improved dramatically. I am well versed in the latest technologies from my experience with developing software at ABC, and appreciate a company who strives to be a leader in its industry.” Here’s how to make a match between your expertise and the company’s requirements.

Follow Up

Always follow-up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position. You can also include any details you may have forgotten to mention during your interview. If you interview with multiple people send each one a personal thank you note. Send your thank you note (email is fine) within 24 hours of your interview.

Interview Dos and Don’ts

What shouldn’t you do when interviewing? Here are the most common job interview mistakes, blunders, and errors a candidate for employment can make. Take the time to review these mistakes before your interview, so you don’t have to stress out about blunders after it.

Knowing how to conduct yourself in an interview is an essential skill for everyone looking to get a job or change jobs. How you present yourself at an interview can either work in your favour or go against you. You might not be the strongest candidate in the bunch but your interview skills will tilt things in your favour, the same way you may be the strongest candidate yet, your interview skills will work against you. So what are the things you should or shouldn’t do at a job interview.

Did you know that carrying your bag on your lap during an interview betrays a lack of confidence? Are you aware of the things that shouldn’t be mentioned in a job interview, or how your body language is interpreted by the panel? In the January edition of our monthly Facebook live event, our host Enyonam Damesi interacts with Business Development specialist and Senior Recruiter, Irene Austin and Business Development Specialist Nana Kwesi Adu-Asare. They share interview experiences and lessons and above all interview dos and don’ts that will prove very helpful to candidates.

If you missed the live event on the topic you can watch it here: