How to Prepare for a First Job Interview

If you have a job interview scheduled, you are most likely feeling some stress in anticipation of it. Certainly this uneasy feeling is normal, and the only way to lessen some of the stress you are feeling is to prepare yourself for what may be expected in your first interview. Your potential employer will be assessing your appearance, your knowledge of the company interviewing you and your knowledge pertaining to the job you’re interviewing for and your interpersonal skills. Here are some practical tips to help you prepare and sell yourself during a first interview.

Common Sense Tips for Preparing for a First Job Interview

Research the company you are interviewing with! Gather as much information as you can on your prospective employer using the library, internet, and people who have worked at the company. You should go into your first interview equipped with as much knowledge on the company as possible. Having this information will help you feel and appear more comfortable. Researching is critical; don’t skip this important step in preparation!

Practice answering possible interview questions in front of a mirror. This may seem intimidating to you, but it is a necessary step in preparation. By watching your responses to typical questions asked by interviewers, you can tweak any problem areas such as expression, posture and poise in addition to having some practiced responses to expected general interview questions. Use examples to describe your skills and provide evidence of your past successes.

Dress for success! You’ve heard this before and it is true! Dress professionally, and appear clean, neat, and tidy. It is also important during your research step to find out how employees typically dress for the company you are interviewing with, and use that as a guide for how to dress for your interview.

Be punctual! The worst thing you can do is show up for an interview late. You will not gain any brownie points by being late. Your potential employer will wonder if you would be able to arrive on time should they hire you.

Know who is interviewing you. If possible, you should find out the full name, title, and correct pronunciation of the person who will be interviewing you.

Try to stay calm during your interview. This is easier said than done, I realize, but take your time and remember to breath. Pause to regroup if necessary and remember to maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Take time to listen to the entire interview question before you give an answer.

Greet the interviewer with confidence and a smile! Put some bone into your handshake and give it with firm confidence. It is also important to have a smile on your face and show some enthusiasm in becoming an employee for the company you’re interviewing with. They want to know if you really want to work there!

By following the above tips in your first interview, you will appear calm, knowledgeable, professional and enthusiastic! You want to ensure that your interviewer has the best (and perhaps the only) first impression of you. In fact, consider the first interview as the only chance you may get to impress!


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