Job Interview Do’s and Don’ts

A job interview is an opportunity for you as a job seeker to show your potential and secure your position in the company. It is important for you to maintain positivity and make a good impression to succeed in the job interview. At the same time, it is also important for you to avoid any kind of mistakes that will put your candidacy in hold.

Here is the list of do’s and don’ts to help you keep up your professionalism and competence in the job interview:

• Do: Prepare

Always prepare before going for an interview. Do have a good understanding of the company and the job role you are applying to. Take time and research on the job descriptions, employers and why you are a better candidate for the job. Prepare and rehearse some basic interview questions and make sure you review your resume carefully and don’t miss any point.

• Do: Ask questions

Ask relevant and intelligent questions about the job role, company or the employer. Asking questions to the employer is as much important as employer questioning you in an interview. Having no questions to ask will make employers feel that you are not interested for the job.

• Do: Show your passion and interest

Best fit is someone who has the passion and interest for the job. Convey your genuine enthusiasm through your face, body language and the way you speak. Be an active listener and respond in a way that shows your interest. Demonstrate the research you did on the company which will show your enthusiasm.

• Do: Dress properly

The first impression you make in front of the employer is very important. You will somehow be judged on what and how you wear. What you wear depends on what kind of job and the company it is that you applied for. If you are unsure on what to wear; wear something more formal than casual.

• Don’t: Fudge the truth

In order to win the job, you might want to exaggerate or lie about the skills, experiences and trainings you don’t have. Being caught while lying will raise question on your character and even if you don’t get caught during an interview you will not accomplish anything based on false skills.

• Do: Promote your strengths and sell yourself

Concentrate on your strengths. Make sure you prove you have enough qualifications, skills and knowledge to solve the issues and be the best fit for the company. Match your key strengths with the job requirements. Give examples from your past experience on how you positively impacted the company. By promoting your strengths, you will be able to sell yourself to the employer.

• Don’t: Be negative

Never show your negative side. Don’t criticize your past employers, colleagues, and the company on any matter even if you are dissatisfied. It shows your negative character and bad morals. If asked you can modify it in a way as to acknowledge them and address them as an opportunity to use it for further learning.

• Don’t: Be late

Never arrive late to an interview. In fact, arrive few minutes early so that you can organize yourself in the company’s environment. Arriving late and sweaty will have negative impression of you not being organized and punctual and you are likely to be not hired. 

• Don’t: Interrupt

Let the interview finish his talks and questions first. Don’t interrupt the interviewer in between and never finish their sentences for them. Even if you don’t understand the questions, listen till end and if required ask questions. Interrupting them will show your over confidence and will leave a negative impression.

• Don’t rote answers

Preparing and rotting answers are very different. Prepare well but never rehearse much. If you mug up your answers, you will be concentrated solely on the answers and you will sound like you are reciting from your memory. This will reduce your chances of getting hired.