by Victor Usifo

Created on: November 07, 2009   Last Updated: November 08, 2009

How to be successful at interviews and win the job

In any interview, your only aim is to secure the job. There are various people out there competing for the same job you are being interviewed for. So what strategies do you apply, to defeat the battalion of fellow applicants to get the job? There are simple yet effective steps you can take. I will discuss them below.

Mind game

Your mind is the key that opens all kinds of doors for you. So it all depends on the kind of mind set you have on the whole interview process. Ensure that you responded to the vacancy published in the dailies or on the internet with a positive attitude. Let us suppose you were short listed for the interview, attend it with the mindset of a winner or else your attendance would be a waste.

Be ready for their questions.

Your must ensure that you prepare for questions that may catch you unawares. Questions that will seek to test your knowledge about the company, it's products or services. Just be ready to give the answers your interviewers want.

ETIQUETTE

There acceptable conducts for any interview so follow the following suggestions and you will not miss your mark

Be punctual, be neat and properly dressed for the interview, don't over talk. Walk in boldly and confidently, when you are called in. Don't take a sit or extend your hand for a handshake with your interviewers. Let them make the first move in all things. Have a smile on your face. Look cheerful. Do not look too uptight just loosen up. Relax it is just an interview. Don't get emotional when certain questions may seem as if they want to ridicule you. It is just a test of your temperament and capacity to face challenges on the job.

* Personal Questions

1. Tell us about yourself. Just sell yourself. Tell the interviewer why you must be employed. Explain problems you have solved in relation to the one you hope to tackle if employed.

2. Why do you want to leave your present employer? Give a simple answer- distance from place of work to where you live or career prospect in future.

3. Where do you hope to be in 10 years time? Link your answer to the future and prosperity of the company interviewing you.

* Technical Questions

They are practical questions meant to test your capacity to reason and solve problems.

4. Can you give any reason why you feel you are the best candidate for this job, in preference to the other applicants on the short list?

* Hypothetical Questions

These are questions that start with if This is just to determine how you react to issues as they arise on the job, at home and generally.

After the Interview

Write a well worded letter thanking them for the chance to interview for the job. Interviews require careful thought. But never display any emotion, never be over enthusiastic for the job, answer questions with short but sharp answers.

Conclusion

Follow the above suggestions and grab that elusive job.

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