How to Make the Most of a Job Interview

Almost everyone in their life will, at some point, be in the position of having to interview for a job. Whether it is a job at McDonald's or an Junior Executive position at JP Morgan, there are certain basic rules that everyone should follow to increase the likelihood of getting the job.

Arrive Early

If possible, arrive twenty minutes early for your job interview. Allowing yourself twenty minutes reduces the chance that you will be late due to some unforeseen event. In addition, if the person scheduled before you did not show up, and you are twenty minutes early, you will likely be welcomed into the interview room right away and your promptness will not go unnoticed.

Toot Your Own Horn

Although in life we are generally told that modesty is a virtue, in a job interview modesty can hide your true abilities. Without being arrogant or bragging, confidently share your abilities and strengths, and let the potential employer know that by hiring you, they are hiring the best person for the job. It can be difficult to learn how to sell yourself, especially if you prefer letting your work speak for itself. Think of it this way; your job right now is to ace the interview. The employer needs an honest evaluation of your abilities and this is what you need to share.

Do Your Research

Do not, under any circumstances, go to an interview without learning at least the basics about the organization from which you wish to gain employment. If possible, speak to someone who works there now about the job. Learn about the company mission statement, corporate climate, and any office politics. All of these tidbits of information will give you a leg up when it comes to answering questions during the interview.

Ask Questions

You know how at the end of an interview, you are usually asked whether you have any questions? There are three possible scenarios with regard to this final stage of the interview. First, you ask a really bad question. An example of a bad question might be "Do I get a staff discount?".

Bad questions are usually presumptuous in that you ask about something that should really wait until you find out whether you got the job. Even questions about salary and benefits are not appropriate during the interview unless the employer brings them up. The interview is about the employer deciding whether or not to hire you. One that decision is made, negotiations can begin about those items of concern on your list. You should, however, have a general idea of the remuneration for the position that you are applying for before interviewing. Otherwise, you end up wasting the employer's time and yours.

What are some good questions? If the employer has given specifics about some of your responsibilities, ask questions about those duties. If you are very familiar with the work that you will be doing, show it by asking intelligent questions. For example, perhaps you are a Microsoft Access wizard. Ask if they are using some specific feature of Access that you are familiar with, and if not, explain how you could help to implement use of this feature to improve efficiency. Right away, you can see how questions and comments like these will leave a lasting impression.

These are just a few tips to help you when it comes to the job interview. Obviously you need to do much more in the interview to land the job. Above all else, remember to stay calm and remind yourself that you are an interested and capable applicant. All that remains is to convince the employer of that fact.