Some people are good at picking up other people, while others have no problem making friends, finding out the latest trends, or the best hangouts. And some people attract job offers like flies to honey. I am not one of those people, and that’s why when I apply for a job or internship, I make sure I get it. A good CV will get the attention of your potential future supervisors, but an impressionable interview is absolutely necessary to get the position. Here are four things that will help you ace an interview:
Anticipate the questions your interviewer may ask – and come up with answers for them:
Questions could range from general to more specifically about you. Some examples include, “What are your stengths/weakness? What kind of person are you? How do you deal with anger, either your own or others?” These are ambiguous, yet important questions. Coming up with answers before-hand will give you the advantage of seeming (and being) more confident, because you’ll spend less time trying to think of an answer and more time elaborating on the one you have prepared.
Prepare to elaborate on your CV:
Only some of the answers will be of the vague kind mentioned above. The core of the interview is about your CV, which is supposed to be everything about you relevant to the position on a single sheet of paper, and the questions the interviewer has for you. The questions will most likely be about the points listed on your resume, or about past work experiences. The idea here is to definitely NOT regurgitate what is already on your CV, rather to give specific examples of situations in which you used a skill you’ve mentioned, or to elaborate on the responsibilities and challenges of previous jobs.
Dress for success:
Not much to elaborate on here, it’s always better to be over-dressed than under. Plus, wearing your best will make you more confident.
Be prepared to ask questions:
A good indication that the interview is winding down is when your interviewer asks you if you have any questions. It’s tempting to say no and put your nerves to rest, but by posing a few questions that you’ve thought out beforehand you demonstrate a vested interest in where you want to work, which will impress upon your interviewer your interest, not only in the position being applied for, but the company you will be working for and the people you will be working with. During the interview, be aware whether the interviewer talks about the responsibilities of the position, some preliminary information about the company, and salary. If they haven't, this is your opportunity to ask.
These are just basics. Remember, when introducing yourself, people want to know (work, hang out with) someone who is organized, responsible, prepared, confident, and friendly. So be those things. Following these four tips will make it easy for you to feel naturally confident – all that is left is charming the pants off of them! :)