Interviewing Tips

Interviewing is an important skill for job-hunters, but chapter 4 of What Color is Your Parachute reveals that it does not have to be scary because interviews are essentially just conversations. We are a part of interviews every day when we talk with friends and other individuals about various topics. Also, when you talk with employees in a certain field or who work at a certain firm you are interested in to gain more information about it, you are participating in an informal interview with them. These conversations will help job-hunters become more comfortable with interviews. 

When you face rejection from interview after interview, you cannot generalize all employers and say that no employer out there wants to hire you because every employer is different and distinct. Employers differ in how they conduct interviews, in their attitudes and needs, and in their requirements for hiring. One tip to better success in job-hunting is to interview with smaller firms rather than large enterprises as larger firms have more layers to go through to reach the hiring stage. Another tip is to always prepare for your interview. You must conduct research on the organization you are interviewing with to know as much about them as you can to impress the employer right off the bat. When interviewing, you should also try to observe a “50-50 rule” where you and the employer take an equal part in talking and listening. 

Remember to give specific answers to employers’ questions in a timely fashion but also do not be afraid to ask questions of the employer. An interview includes not only your words but also your actions before, during, and after the interview as employers judge your behavior and appearance as much as your resume. If you show up to the interview early looking professional, keep eye contact with the interviewer, speak confidently, and thank them at the end of the interview, you are more likely to make a good impression on the employer.