Tips for a successful job interview

Although the first interview is often the most intimidating, the following guidance can help you create a great first impression on your interviewer by not appearing too inexperienced.

Dress appropriately – in your interview the aim is to impress upon your interviewer that you are a professional, and appearances count. The important thing to focus on is being well-groomed, neat, clean, and wearing conservative clothing and jewelry – a suit works wonders.

Non-verbal contact is crucial – about 50 percent of communication is non verbal. This means having good posture, maintaining eye contact, and having a firm (not bone-crushing) handshake. Most importantly, be attentive to your interviewer. This is exemplified by your body posture and will help you appear more professional.

There are certain topics you should avoid – never talk about income or benefits on the first interview. This should only be broached by your employer. Avoid talking negatively about past employers or organizations. Find something positive about the experience that helped you become a better, and more employable, person.

Be prepared – research the employer so you know what you are getting into and can ask questions about the company when speaking with the recruiter.

Be polite – be sure to always say “please” and “thank you” when appropriate. At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for taking the time to talk with you. Finally, make sure that you write a “thank you” note to your interviewer and mail it within 24 hours after the interview.

Be an active participant – many people get so focused on the “hunt” to find a job that they forget to think about what they really want to gain from their career. Think about what qualities, such as type of work, duties or environment are most important to you. Ask about them. It is main to think of these things because even if you get the job, you might find yourself incompatible or unhappy with it.