Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Most Important Job Interviewing Skills


Interviewing for that job you really want can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. However, there are some tricks to keep your nerves from getting the best of you during an interview and make that first impression a memorable one. A job interview can result in the elusive job offer so it is crucial to head into every interview feeling confident and well prepared.


Pre-interview Research

Knowing how and what to research in the days leading up to your interview can help you perform well when you walk in the door. Spend a few hours on the website of the company with whom you will be interviewing. Learn about what exactly the company does, who their clients are and any recent news they might have listed on their website. It can also benefit you to develop an understanding of the hierarchical structure of the company and where the job for which you are interviewing fits into this design; this type of information should be available on the company website as well. In addition, conducting a general Internet search on the company may offer other news or information not included on the company's website. Using this information in your interview, to answer questions related to why you want to work at that particular company, will demonstrate to your interviewer that you're serious about the job.

Interview Questions

Use your pre-interview research to develop several well thought out questions you can ask your interviewer. Asking questions demonstrates to the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the job opening as well as in the company. Several types of questions to consider are those that relate to a company news item, industry news or the future goals of the company. You can also ask about the potential for personal growth within the company.

Relevant Experience

Before your interview, study your resume and review your past experiences that are most relevant to the position for which you are interviewing. The better you know your resume, the better you will be able to answer difficult questions that might be thrown at you during the interview. Think about different ways in which different jobs or experiences could apply to the job you're interviewing for or to the company itself. Being able to think quickly, during an interview, is an important skill as you never know what you might be asked; having a full understanding of your previous employment experiences will help you to develop this skill, by making it easier to relate certain points on your resume back to various questions that your interviewer asks.

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