Surviving the Job Interview

Your hard work at gaining experience, increasing your education, and writing a resume has finally paid off. Now, the only thing standing between you and gainful employment is a job interview. An interview with a potential employer can be a nerve-racking experience for anyone, but the interview jitters are especially difficult for first-time job seekers. Tension, nervousness, and other symptoms can sabotage chances, so you'll need to address the problem and find a solution before you head for that interview. Luckily, the problem and the solution can both be found in one place - your mind!

Practicing interviews goes a long way toward giving you self-confidence. With the help of friends or family, you can prepare yourself to answer questions without hesitation and try a few different answers to choose the one that sounds best. Rehearsal is important for making sure you look confident to potential employers. You can also use a mirror to see how your face and eyes display a look of either nerves or confidence, and work on eliminating small details that will give an impression of self-doubt. Once you enter the interview and finally meet your potential employer, use a firm handshake and a smile, keep yourself from looking down at the floor, and definitely try not to shift too much from nerves.

The best course to follow during an interview is always one of honesty. If they find out you lied, you will no longer be in the race for the job and you'll be automatically disqualified.

Being knowledgeable in the background of your education, personal history, and past employment will help to prepare you to answer those types of questions if presented. Avoid the temptation to dismiss past mistakes out of hand; try to prepare an answer that softens the impact of any mistakes you've made with a previous employer.

You should keep in mind that, as a job applicant, you have certain rights. There are questions that you don't have to answer by law, and you cannot be discriminated against for your refusal to answer them. Legally, certain questions are not allowed to be asked during an interview. While hostility is not a wise option, it is essential to understand your legal position. Remember to be confident when answering questions, even the tough ones that deal with lapses in work history or mediocre career goals.

You can find many sources of information on how to dress for an interview. All it takes is a little common sense. Remember when dressing for a job interview that all you need to do is show up looking neat and well groomed, wearing either a business suit or a tasteful blouse and pants. Being professional in how you dress and how you speak can really help you land your dream job.

A final thing to do in your interview is to ask your potential employer a few questions as the meeting is winding down. Choose a few questions about the position or the company itself and discuss them with your interviewer. This shows that you're interested in where you might work and are just as selective as your potential employer, which can leave them with good impressions of your dedication.

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Grant Kretzer has conducted many interviews as a HR director, and found most prepared interviewees are from Encore Staffing Solutions, a San Fernando Valley Temp Staffing Agency. Encore, as a Santa Clarita Valley temp staffing agency, is a reliable source for filling IT positions in the Los Angeles area.

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