A Job Interview is not much different than it has always been. The employer is looking at you to decide if you can do the job he needs done. The more prepared you are for his or her questions and the more you know about what he needs, the better impression you will make. Perhaps if the last guy had brought more than one CV tablet and not been late, his chances of getting the job might have improved.
A Job Interview Is No Mystery
As we think about interviews, the mystery unravels.
Consider how you decide which pair of running shoes is right for you or what television program you will watch tonight. You have your criteria of what you want and when you look at the options, you find the best fit for your needs. This is no different than a job interview. The employer has his criteria and he is interviewing individuals to see if they fit the needs he has within his organization. So, next time you buy that pair of shoes or pick that television program, consider what criteria you are seeking and how the product’s performance influences your decision. A fun idea is to think about what questions you would ask when you are making a decision, what response would you want to hear and how would you decide between two very similar options.
As an employer, the common threads that employers are looking for in positions is knowledge, skills, experience, communication techniques, flexibility, passion, dedication and desire. There, of course, are other specific skills related to industries. There are also intangibles, such as punctuality, appearance, personality, creativity, and some of the other factors I suggested above.
Your goal for an interview is to show the employer that you are the “best fit” for his requirements. The more you know about those requirements, the better you can prepare yourself for questions or concerns. As they say, “You Can Never Make A New First Impression Twice”, so be sure everything you do before and after meeting a future employer is showing him your best. It is also good to remember that the employer is choosing you for the job because he feels that you can be the best representative of his organization. I tell my students to think of the interview process as a challenge and that whether you decide the job is right for you or not, you want to “get a job offer” , because you will then feel proud and know you did your best in the interview. This is not to say that not getting the offer is always because of something you did, but having an offer does increase your confidence for the next interview.
Practicing with family members and friends is a good way to prepare for an interview. Many times, a friend or family member may ask a question or supply you with a suggestion that will give you an excellent idea for improvement. We have sample interview questions available for you and other ideas to help you prepare on our site, but there are multitudes of information sources and information is always helpful, whether you agree with it or not.
Remember: You Can --GET THE JOB!
This blog was written to take the mystery out of the interview, as many individuals find interviews very intimidating. Many good candidates get intimidated by the interviewing process, but knowing that “interviewing” is what we all do on a daily basis in our lives, may help alleviate some of the the nervousness and help you deliver your best on the next interview.
Best of Luck — Always – Debbie Foster
Find more information on this blog or on our job board: http://www.houstonjobopportunities.com
