Points for Interviews

Pointers for Succeeding in a Job Interview
(wrote this for my CCBC Essex newspaper)

Many students graduate high school and attend college with no job experience. Although, it may seem like most young people get a job before graduating high school there are many who do not. When applying for a job one must feel both mentally and physically ready for a new world of independency. The most important part in getting a job is knowing where you want that specific job to take you in your life. A person must make sure they would feel comfortable and could profit from out of it.

After making it through the first stage in applying for the job which is the application process the person will head towards the second stage. Once finding out the news of being chosen for the position you applied for there are some main pointers one must follow in order to have a successful interview. For those out there on their way of becoming employed, there are five main pointers in successfully making through the interview process.

1. Knowing where you applied for.

Depending on where you wish to work it is very important to know as much as you can about the employer and the position. Although, the boss may be looking for how you will benefit their company, at the same time you should see how the company would benefit you. Whether the job will lead you to your desire career choice or whether it would enhance your skills, knowing about where you are going would help you with your future planning. Also during the interview, asking questions to the interviewer would show how much you really want the position and can identify how much you know about them.

2. Dress Attire

Some people would say that it does not matter how you dress when going to an interview. They say it’s about how well you represent yourself during the interview. But how you dress is an important way in representing yourself. First impressions are always the most memorable. People see what they want to see. If a person comes to an interview dressed in jeans and a t-shirt but the interview was excellent, the interviewer may still see that person undependable. One must look like a professional and a hard worker. Men should dress in a nice suite or dress pants with his shirt tucked in. Women should wear appropriate attires not exposing too much skin or something too fitting. Also when one enters a job interview dressed in their finest they are more likely to feel comfortable and focus more on what the interview would be about rather than how they look.

3. Attitude and Manners

It does not matter what type of job one applies for, it is always good to enter with a positive attitude. Never go feeling doubtful or overly nervous because if you feel it then the interviewer will surely feel it too. These days the word ‘respect’ is beginning to lose both its value and meaning. But when it comes to interviews it is most important. The setting will be professional and sometimes challenging and in order to lighten the tense mood, the interviewee should smile and be welcoming. Even if the interviewer seems like a hard and serious person one should not fall into intimidation but rather feed off of it. They may be testing you to see how good you do under pressure. Never go into an interview scared but rather confident and show the interviewer you want this job and that they need you.

4. Tardiness

A mentor I once knew who was in charge of a group called Bowdoin Bound who took students on college road trips every summer use to say, “When you are early, you are on time. And when you’re on time, you are late. And when you’re late, you are forgotten.” This is very true when it comes to the real world. If you have an appointment with an employer it shows both respect and that you want the job by being on time. Sometimes things do happen but even so you should immediately call. Tardiness shows a lot about a person whether it’s their character or not. It is also one of the first impression moves for interviewers to see how dependable you are. No one wants a slacker in their business.

5. Be Yourself

For the beginners out there, it is not a good thing to go to an interview and act like a totally different person. Not saying you should go in cursing or being disrespectful but be the person who will guide them into your world. It is good for one to relax and answer questions truthfully or in a way that will make the interviewer see you as a good person to be around. Including your educational background and experiences and etcetera openly tell the person who you are and what you’ve done in your life to not only benefit yourself but others around you. People love to see young people involved in their communities or joining clubs and doing things. And when they hear what you’ve done that will be another point on your acceptance.

Interviews are a vital part in becoming a part of a company or employer. It may feel and seem hard to do but if you are very prepared and follow these five points you would do just fine. This not only goes for beginners who have never worked before but also for hard workers now. It is never too late to brush up on interview points and to look up online if anything changed about preparing for interviews. When it comes down to it, just be yourself and relax. Think through the questions before answering and look confident and you shouldn’t have any problems.

LeQuita C. Harrison. 04/09/2013. CCBC Connection                       


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