30 Dec Facing a job interview in the best way
Once the CV and a cover letter have been prepared or updated, you must face the most feared and stimulating part of the job search: the interview.
So, are there any valid ‘evergreen’ tricks that can help you carry out a successful job interview? The answer is yes, and the Dale Carnegie, an American company that works in the field of professional and personal training, can provide us with some useful nuggets of advice.
Besides the valid ‘evergreen’ tricks that can help one complete an effective job interview – according to the experience of the Dale Carnegie – it’s sometimes necessary to consider other obvious aspects: ones personality, communication skills and an outfit in line with the culture and the corporate style, are fundamental elements which enable candidates to position their talent even more effectively during a job interview.
But this is not all. It’s good to keep in mind what the Dale Carnegie identifies as the 7 useful tips for making a good impression at the first job interview.
1) Google, Google, Google. The best weapon to overcome tension and get through a winning interview is good preparation. It’s important to dedicate your time to research, “Googling” the name of the company, the people with whom you will have the interview and the sector in which the company operates; in doing so, the candidate will be well prepared and have a series of information that, if used properly, will allow the candidate to positively surprise the interviewer. It’s important to personalise your CV, cover letter, qualifications, career goals and language depending on the vision of the company, its values and its culture.
2) Do not arrive late. Plan to arrive at least half an hour before the scheduled time for the interview but, so as to avoid looking too anxious, don’t announce yourself until 15 minutes before the appointment.
3) Dress professionally. Even if the workplace attire is clearly casual, dressing professionally (but not too much) provides a favourable impression.
4) Prepare a speech in the elevator. To be able to stand out, preparing a 30 second answer to the classic question “tell me about yourself” is a very useful exercise. Normally we start with a presentation of ourselves that includes our own course of study and professional experience.
5) Establish a relationship with the interviewer. Being well mannered and demonstrating good interpersonal skills is essential.
6) How to answer the dreaded question regarding the salary. Putting forth an amount is not a good idea: if you shoot too high, you will run the risk of being discarded. If you undersell yourself with a low figure, the employer will end up making that figure your salary. The best approach is to say that the salary is negotiable.
7) What to do after the interview. It’s good practice to end the interview by thanking the interviewers for their time and effort, reminding them of your interest in the position. Sending a thank you note to the interviewers is also an extremely important action. Finally, always ask what the next step will be and when they think they will reach a final decision.