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The GentleManual Guide To Acing Your Job Interview Consider these tips to nail your next interview

From fresh college graduates to seasoned professionals, today’s job market demands way more than it used to. Hiring has become more concentrated by organizations, meaning they’re typically looking for that all-around team player that can fit in any role. No matter your skill set or experience, you still have to get past that grueling job interview. If you play your cards right, you can increase your chances for landing your next gig with just a little effort and enthusiasm. Check out these seven easy steps to help you on your journey to get your career exactly where you need it to be.

Table of Contents

Do Your Homework:

If you go into an interview without much prior knowledge of the company’s past history, how can you effectively show you’re ready to join their team? The answer is, you can’t. Do the necessary research to show your potential employer you’re ready to take on a role of importance and bring great value to the organization.

Shake Hands With Intent:

A firm handshake goes a long way, showing the interviewer you are confident and serious about discussing your future with the company. A strong and meaningful handshake will not only help them remember you, but will immediately establish a respect factor between the interviewer and the interviewee.

Dress The Part:

This can’t be stressed enough. It’s been said that a person makes their initial judgement of someone within the first few seconds after they’ve laid eyes on you. Make sure that judgement is nothing less than excellent. You don’t have to have a $3,000 ensemble to get noticed. Just make sure your outfit is clean, pressed, tailored and presentable.

dressthepart

Be Eager:

When you’re interviewing, you may be worried about coming across as too desperate for the job. Just make sure you don’t seem so reluctant that they think you don’t want the position at all. There’s nothing wrong with showing you’re ready and hungry to be the person they want for the job.

Be Specific:

Depending on the style of interview, you’ll likely be asked about past work situations or past experience. Remember, be specific about the ways you helped your past organization or the skill sets you’ve come to be an expert with. Employers don’t want to hire someone just because they’ve had extensive experience with almost everything in their field. They want to know what you’ve done to help previous employers succeed what you can do for them.

Don’t Bad Mouth Your Last Employer:

Whether you’re still employed or been gone from your last employer for years, don’t answer too candidly when the interviewer asks you why you left your last position or are branching out looking elsewhere. Even if you can’t stand the team from your last job, answer with class. If you talk about them in a negative way, it not only gives the impression that you’re a negative person, it also makes the interviewee wonder if you’ll be saying the same things about them eventually.

Ask Engaging Questions:

It might not be until the end of the interview, but there will be a time to ask questions about the company. Make sure you ask at last a couple questions and that they’re on target. Ask about the company culture, past performance, what a typical day is like in the office, how are roles assessed. Don’t just ask anything. Ask questions that allow the interviewee to speak a little bit about their organization.

 

Gus Penton
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