Congratulations! You got that job interview. You’re halfway to your potential dream job.
One of the most stressful parts of searching for a new role is the interview process.
Did you know that 93% of people have experience anxiety prior to a job interview? So if the nerves are getting to you, don’t worry, that’s totally normal!
Following these 10 do’s and don’ts for job interviews will help you prepare, combat those nerves and ultimately ace that interview.
DO: Talk Yourself Up
We’ll get the most obvious one out the way first.
A job interview is basically like pitching a product – you’ve got to sell yourself. The interviewers will have seen your CV. They’ve seen your work experience and qualifications and they were impressed enough to ask to meet with you.
Your angle should therefore be communicating why your qualifications, skills and accomplishments are better than anyone else’s. You want to convey your enthusiasm for the job or industry you want to work in.
Let your personality shine. Why does a certain work experience put you above others? How have you specialised in a certain skill? Why are you so amazing?
Top tip: when you’re talking about specific work experiences or skills, use real examples. Try to use stats and specifics for how you went about improving something, drove sales, or managed conflict.
DO: Know Your Potential Employer
Try to learn as much about your potential employer as you can.
That should be fairly easy – you want to work for the company, right? So you should already be interested to learn about what they do and what they’re offering.
Interviewers will appreciate any research you do into their company and into the role you’re interviewing for. It shows you are interested in the position and the company, and are prepared for what the job will entail.
Remember, you need a new job and they need an new employee! They want you to want to work for them and with them. Showing off your knowledge and enthusiasm about their company will assure the interviewers that you are committed to the role and understand it’s expectations.
DO: Be Respectful
This one’s a given – be polite and respectful towards your interviewers.
They’re not going to employ someone rude, are they?
Respect can be shown in a variety of ways, not just saying your pleases and thank yous.
- Arrive early – shows your eagerness and gives you a few vital minutes to do some last minute prep
- Dress appropriately – come dressed slightly more formal than normal work attire. Make sure you look professional and presentable
- Come prepared – bring a copy of the job description to the interview. You can use this to refer back to during the interview to make sure you cover all those job description requirements. You should also bring a printed copy of your CV, personal statement and any other relevant pieces of documentation
Don’t underestimate how far a handshake and a smile can go in an interview. A company is looking to employ someone who is personable and friendly, as well as someone will the skills and qualifications for the role.
Ensuring you are polite and respectful will go a long way in showing your personality and impressing your interviewers.
DO: Ask Questions
As much as you should be prepared to answer all the standard job interview questions, as well as some obscure ones, prepare some questions for THEM in advance.
Asking questions regarding the job, company projects, policy, and culture makes you come across as engaged, enthusiastic and interested – all qualities a potential employer is looking for in a new employee.
Great questions include:
- Why is this job open?
- When or why did you join this organisation?
- Can you give me an example of great employee success? What qualities do you think makes a great employee?
- Are there opportunities for training in this role?
- What is the biggest challenge for someone in this job?
Check out more fantastic questions to ask at interview here: 50+ Good Questions to Ask in Interviews
Beware! There are some questions you should NEVER ask in interview. We will cover the types of questions you shouldn’t ask later in this article.
DON’T: Misrepresent yourself
Do not lie about your skills or experiences in a job interview. They will find out.
The internet is wonderful and anyone can find almost anything with a few clicks of a mouse.
If you’re lying about your qualifications in an interview, employers can easily do a quick search to verify what you’re saying. It’s just not worth the risk.
You’ve already been invited to the interview because the employer was impressed with your CV and wanted to find out more about you. So why fabricate experiences, when the ones you already have are good enough? Believe you are great and employers will too!
DON’T: Trash Talk Prior Experiences
When talking about past employment or other experiences, try to avoid being overly negative.
You may have had an unhappy time in a past role and it might be difficult to not mention that at all. However, it’s important to avoid “trash talking” another job.
The interviewers don’t want to hear you complaining and they may get the wrong impression about you. There are two sides to every story, and they could assume that maybe you were a problem employee.
When talking about negative past experiences try and rephrase them in a positive light.
Negative comment | Positive comment
|
“I didn’t get on with my team” | “I’m looking to join a friendly, sociable team who support and nurture each other’s development” |
“My boss didn’t care about what I was doing” | “I am hoping to have regular contact with my manager to share ideas about my projects and how I can progress in my career” |
“The software was outdated and the equipment was old” | “I am eager to work on new, exciting software’s to further develop my IT skills. I’m familiar with modern computing equipment so wouldn’t need too much guidance if using” |
It’s easy to talk positively about a negative experience. This skill is really helpful in resolving conflict, too.
DON’T: Ask Certain Types of Questions
There are certain types of questions you shouldn’t be asking in a job interview.
No, we don’t mean “who’s your favourite celeb” or “where did you go on your summer holiday?” – there are some questions, still relevant to the job, that you should wait to find out.
- When can I expect a raise?
- How much paid leave do I get?
- Do I get paid sick days?
- How long is my lunch break?
- Can I leave early?
Questions regarding pay, holidays and other ‘benefits’ queries should be withheld until the job is offered to you and under negotiation.
Obviously, how much holiday you get in a certain role is important to know before you commit to a job. However, during an interview you want to look eager and enthusiastic to do the actual work.
Prematurely asking questions about the benefits of a role makes you look only interested in time off. These types of questions could send the impression that you’re not a good worker.
Interviewing can be nerve-wracking – and that’s okay! Making sure you’re prepared for your job interview, by following these top tips, will help you come across well and hopefully ace that interview.
Final tip: Send a thank you email after the interview – this shows respect, politeness, your stellar communication skills and your commitment to the role. It just adds a nice touch after a fantastic interview.