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Job Interview: How to succeed at a Job Interview

By Andrew Reed

We know by the time you are called to a job interview the recruiter has seen your resume and believes you can do the job.

Then again so can all the other candidates.

So what do you have to do to stand out from the crowd and impress on the interviewer that you are the right person for the job?

I have carried out countless interviews and seen some great candidates and some not so great. Here are some of my top tips to help you be one of those outstanding candidates and to succeed at your next job interview.

Be Prepared:

There is no excuse for not preparing properly for a job interview. You will have had at least a few days warning and quite possibly a lot more time. Research the company, conduct a mock interview, practice the interview questions and prepare your answers.

Focus on your strengths:

The organization knows you are able to the job and during the interview they want you to confirm this to them. Don't let any negative experiences such as being laid off, a gap in your career or a long period looking for a job negate all the great work you have done.

Put yourself in the Interviewers Shoes:

Imagine yourself in the interviewers place and try to get a feel for what they need from you. Once you can do this effectively you will be able to build a relationship with them from the first moment of the interview and this will help increase your chances of success at the interview.

Listen:

Focus on the interview questions and if you are not sure of the meaning of the question, check back with the interviewer. This is a two way conversation and the interviewer will respond favorably to being engaged like this.

Relevant Answers:

Answer the question that has been asked and avoid the temptation to ramble. You may have an interesting story to tell or a unusual skill but if it is not required in the job don't mention it.

Body Language:

Smiling, maintaining eye contact and a relaxed focused posture are all examples of good body language which will work for you in the job interview.

Ask Questions:

It is important that you ask questions at some point during the interview. This will show your interest in the role and your commitment to the interview process. Be aware however, that questions about salary, working hours, holidays etc should not be asked during the interview.

For help with every aspect of interviews including how to prepare for a job interview we recommend InterviewGOLD, a unique online system that has helped thousands of candidates land top jobs.

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About the Author

Andrew Reed is an experienced interviewer and has developed successful recruitment strategies for large organizations within the Customer Services, HR and Finance sectors.

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