Sunday, March 1, 2009

Preparing for Interviews

Walking into an interview can be stressful and intimidating, but there are things you can do to be successful. While interview skills take time, confidence and practice to master, they are well worth the effort. 

In a recent blog post on Penelope's Trunk, Penelope discussed her tips for a positive interview experience. Her first tip is to be interesting. Penelope explained the importance of giving an answer that is "entertaining and thought provoking". 

Penelope's second tip is to be short. Interviewers are busy individuals and it is important to keep your answers concise. By answering briefly and to the point, you are more likely to maintain the interviewer's attention and remain interesting. 

Penelope's last tip is to remain conversational throughout your interview. You want to be relatable in an interview so you do not sound scripted. Being conversational is also important because it shows the interviewer that you are interested in them as much as they are interested in you.

While my interview experience is limited, I have a few tips of my own. First, do your research prior to your interview. It is important to bring your confidence, experience and also a knowledge of the organization you are interviewing with. 

It is also important to prepare questions of your own before an interview. Doing this will demonstrate your interest in the organization and keep the interview conversational and interesting. Lastly, be yourself and relax. Don't let your nerves get the best of you and always remember to smile. 

image: www.exitinterviews.com.au

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