Home Student & Career Tips Do’s and Don’ts of the Job Interviews for 2023

Do’s and Don’ts of the Job Interviews for 2023

This article contains a list of the Dos and Don’ts of Job Interviews in the year 2023 with a detailed emphasis on each of them.

Personal Statements

Whether you are a fresh graduate who is striving to secure your first job or you graduated for years and probably seeking for better job offers, getting an authentic interview invite in this period where job scammers are gradually outnumbering real employers, appears to be very draining.

If you’re lucky to get an interview invite, performing well in it can increase your chance of getting a job offer.

However, having knowledge of what to do and what not to do can be the difference between receiving the job offer and losing an opportunity. Knowing this is a major challenge for job seekers, the tips in this article can help you know what to expect as well as what you’re expected to do during job interviews.

So, to stand out in your next in-person job interview, bear the following do’s and don’ts in mind:

THE DO’S OF JOB INTERVIEW 

This encompasses all that should and shouldn’t be done before and on the day of interview.

1. Carry out a research on the company

The first wise thing to do before a scheduled interview is to make more research about the company. Check through their websites or possibly ask people who know about them. If possible, make further research about your supposed interviewer if stated in the invite.

Ensure you know the venue of the interview. Sometimes, it is advised you visit the location prior to the interview, that’s if you’re within the venue. If not, a thorough finding would makeup.

Doing this helps you get familiar with the company, their policies and lots more. This information will give you a clue on how to dress for the interview and lots more. This will certainly help you stand out on the day of the interview.

2. Prepare for the interview not later than the night before

This includes making a checklist of things you would take along with you, such as your credentials, outlining your answers to common interview questions. Mind you, you don’t necessarily have to cram your responses to avoid sounding generic as well as choosing your interview outfit in advance and ensuring it is clean and well ironed.

3. Appearance and demeanor

There is more to appearance than the dressings. Your dressings down to your carriage and facial expressions all up your appearance. They speak a lot about your personality. On this note, here are some things you should do;

  • Put on a simple, comfortable outfit that would keep everyone in the room focused on the interview. Endeavour to go for clothes that are neutral in colour, not too loud in appearance. Your dressing tends to give you some level of confidence if done properly and professionally.
  • During the interview, endeavour to sit up straight with your shoulders. This goes a long way to display some level of confidence.

4. When answering the questions

You may have made a good impression from the moment you stepped into the room looking all nicely dressed. This is not the real deal, but the moment to begin to answer questions. A lot of people miss it at this point. So, when you are about to the answer questions;

  • Take your time to process their questions before you respond. If you need more time to think it through, buy time to do so. Always answer with positivity and professionalism.
  • If the interviewer enquires about your experience with a previous employer or why you want to leave your current position, ensure to offer positive explanations. Be professional and very diplomatic when talking about your past positions. Your response to this given question can determine if you will get a job. So, no matter how badly you were treated by your former employer, you should find one good thing they did and speak about that.
  • Bear in mind that interviewers are trained to easily spot tension and nervousness in you. In the bid to test your level of confidence, some interviewers will likely ask impromptu questions. When it comes, be relaxed and try as much as possible to be engaging.
  • Maintain eye contact and smile on your face; let the interviewer know you’re interested in the conversation. This will show your interviewer that you don’t get tensed, even when you don’t have all the required answers.
  • Be honest about all aspects of your employment history, skills and experience.

5. Wrap Up and Exit

I understand this is the part every candidate looks forward to, especially if you felt nervous all through the interview. Hurrying out becomes the only thing on your mind. Sometimes, how you act at this stage may just push you off the radar.

Take it or leave it, how you end the interview is just as important as how you started. These two stages are very crucial because your first and last impression sticks in the minds of interviewers.

Thus, to wrap up your job interview, endeavour to do the following:

  • Before walking off, ensure you ask the interviewer smart open ended questions based on your research about the company. Remember that an interview is two dimensional, asking questions will help depict your interest and motivation to succeed in the role and company and this is one way to standout from other candidates. These questions should have been prepared long before the interview.
  • You may also consider asking what time-frame to expect feedback, so you can plan ahead.
  • Ensure you give a firm handshake, look the interviewer in the eye, and say, “Thanks so much for your time. It was a pleasure meeting you and learning about the role.”

Not every individual might is open for a handshake. Reason you need to access the type of person your interviewer is.

LIST OF INTERVIEW DON’TS

Having identified a list of important things to do in the course of an interview, here are list of things to avoid when preparing for an interview:

  • Do not wait until the morning of an interview to gather your required materials or pick a dress for the interview. In doing this, chances are that you may either miss out on an important document in the course of hurrying or something that may affect your time of arrival to the venue may occur. Lateness only creates a bad first impression.
  • Do not wear bold clothing or strong perfume, as they can be distracting; but then, avoid dress down or casually in an attempt to avoid overdressing. It’s always preferable to dress more professionally than less professional. Just know where to draw the line.
  • Do not come unprepared. Peradventure you couldn’t come up with questions after researching the company; you should have noted questions during the interview. Having questions shows interest in the company and all they represent. Mind the questions you ask. Your questions should encourage the interviewer to discuss the functions of the position for which you are applying.
  • Avoid asking outrightly about salary, except along the line the interviewer asks about your salary expectations. This of course is expected to be asked. While you’re advised to prepare beforehand, this does not imply memorizing your answers to interview questions. Instead, remember key points you want to convey.
  • Don’t show signs of panic and don’t lose your cool if things take an unexpected turn or you face a tough question. Crossing your arms or using body language and bad facial expressions may give you off as a less confident person. So try as much as possible to project body language that exudes confidence.
  • Don’t lie about past employment or pretend to have skills that you do not have. Falsifying your details only puts you in a tight corner. A good interviewer will see through those lies. If your lie is able to get you to the next stage in the hiring process, you’re likely to be dropped later in the vetting process. Answer questions sincerely.
  • Don’t speak poorly about your present or former employers. No matter how badly you were treated, avoid showing the bad blood. Even if your past employer is a competitor of the company where you want to work, never criticize a past employer in an interview. You will be seen as a risky hire. The interviewer will most likely assume you will do this to them when you’re no longer with them. Moreso, this makes your professionalism questionable.
  • Don’t give unnecessary details. The interviewer wants to get to know you, no doubts, but sharing irrelevant information can be distracting. Offer concise answers that relate to the role and company.
  • Don’t speak over the interviewer. It is important to be a good listener before rushing to speak. It shows that you are respectful and have strong interpersonal skills.
  • Don’t rush the ending or leave without thanking them and making eye contact. The last impressions matters, and even if you’re feeling tense/nervous, focus on what you can control at the moment, which is to leave a good final impression.

CONCLUSION

Whether physical or virtual interview, many individuals dread job interviews for many personal reasons best known to them. For me, interviews have always been my worst nightmare. All thanks to the existence of the zoom app and other related softwares, virtual interviews have been made very possible.

Having a virtual interview is not a guarantee for securing a job. Some of the dos and don’ts are applicable to virtual interviews as well. So, be the best you can for every interview regardless of the type.

I wish you luck in your job search as you use this information wisely. Your ability to get a job lies in knowing things you’re expected and expected not to do during an interview.

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