Interview Tips
How to Act Before Interviews
Do your homework: Research the
company and study the job description before you interview,
as your interviewer will likely ask what you know about the company
and why you want the job. Those are the most common interview
questions that interviewers ask and they usually ask them among
the first few.
Doing your homework will also help you to formulate specific questions
about the company and the job. Interviewers typically expect job
candidates to ask such questions and
it's a good idea to do what interviewers expect!
With a friend, relative or by yourself, practice answering the
other common interview questions that
interviewers ask.
Prepare to negotiate salary by having a range in mind and studying
the techniques. The Web has lots of salary survey and negotiation resources you
can research. (See also salary negotiation
books.)
Collect and neatly arrange your important papers and work samples
in a nice briefcase or portfolio. This makes you look organized
and professional. Remember to pack relevant documents, such as
your:
Also pack a pen, pencil and notepad to take notes.
Practice good hygiene and dress appropriately before an interview.
Even if you know that the company dress code is casual, dress at
least one step above it anyway. It shows professionalism and respect,
and most importantly, that you know how
to dress for interviews.
Unless instructed otherwise (e.g., to fill out a job application),
arrive five to ten minutes early for an interview. This shows that
you are eager and punctual. As the saying goes, if you're not at
least five minutes early for an interview, then you're five minutes
late. But don't arrive more than ten minutes early, as it might
be an inconvenience for your interviewer.
In any case, never be late for an interview! If you are running
late anyway, then the courteous thing to do is to call your interviewer
well before you're already late. If you don't have your interviewer's
office phone number, then call the company's main number and ask
to speak to him or her. Don't send an email, as your interviewer
might not read it in time.
Never bring uninvited guests with you to interviews, such as pets,
children or significant others. Prior to walking into the building,
turn off your cell phone, pager, PDA alarms and other electronic
gadgets that might interrupt your interview.
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