7 Job Interview Tips from a Professional Recruiter

We want you to be successful, so we thought we’d give you some tips and advice on what to do at your job interview!

Practice
Practice answering interview questions and practice your responses to the typical questions you might be asked. Think of concrete examples you can use to highlight your skills. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to promote yourself. Also have a list of your own question ready to ask the employer.
Research
Do your homework about the employer and the industry so you are ready for typical questions such as: Tell us what you know about….. 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 you dress to impress, your clothes should be neat, tidy and appropriate for the type of firm you are interviewing with. Whilst not essential, it never hurts to bring a nice portfolio with copies of your CV/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, do a trial run; travel to the interview location ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take you to get there.
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 help you appear confident. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Pay attention and listen to the questions properly before answering – it can be embarrassing if you forget the question.
Show What You Know
When telling the interviewer about your achievements, try to match them to what the company is looking for so the interviewer gets an idea of how you could be successful in the role.
Follow Up
It’s always courteous to follow-up with a thank you note confirming your interest in the position. If you feel you forgot to mention something during your interview, you can add it to the thank you note.

Written by Paul Myers, Recruiter Specializing in HR and Talent Acquisition in the CEE region. Reach him on LinkedIn. Looking for a new job opportunity? Visit Paul’s website People Matter.