4 Winning Tips for Your Interview Success [INFOGRAPHIC]

Interviews. Love them or hate them, it's what you have to sit through to get that dream job of yours. The web is full of interview advice which you can easily get lost in, to remedy the information overflow we'd like to present no more than four winning tips for your next job interview courtesy of our friends down at GovLoop


The four tips in a nutshell:


1. Prepare to describe how you got to this interview and why you're the person for the job in 60 seconds or less. See this as your extended elevator pitch.

2. Stay positive - remember that resumes don't hire, people do. The interview is your turn to show all that is great about you so make sure you start positive and roll with any punches that might come your way. Showing grace under fire is a very important skill in business.

3. Dress the part - ok, this one is elementary but first impressions are very important and if you can, we'd suggest phoning up the company to ask what dress code they have. As a rule of thumb, it's better to overdress than vice versa.

4. Send a thank you note to your interviewer(s) and anyone else involved in the process (administrators, recruiters, HR etc). This will make you stand out amongst the heaps of applicants and even if you're not right for the job at hand, the company will now think extra hard to try and place you somewhere else.


RELATED: How to Succeed in Your Interview


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Transcript:

4 winning tips for a successful interview

The interview is designed for one purpose: to find the "best" person for the job. Getting an interview is only a start. You must know how to win at interviewing.

Follow these interviewing strategies:

  1. The One-Minute Resume
    • The first thing most interviewers say is "tell me about yourself." How you answer this question will set the tone for the rest of the itnerview. That is why you develop a one-minute resume. Describe where you are from, your education, and what you have to offer in 60 seconds or less.
    • Example: "I grew up in rural Western Michigan and I was active in sports and student government in high school. In addition to having the skill, talent and experience you're looking for, my life as a military spouse also reflects my being the right person for this job. The experiences I have had as a military spouse have boosted my education, provided learning experience I've enjoyed through traveling and expanded my experience in relating to people of varying backgrounds and cultures."
    • Develop and Practice Your One-Minute Resume:You shouuld do this for three reasons:
      1. It shows you are comfortable with yourself. This puts both you and the interviewer at ease.
      2. If you have a polished one-minute resume, YOU begin to control the interview.
      3. A well-delivered one-minute resume will draw the interviewer in to you.
      Be careful not to brag! Simply tell a story about yourself.
  2. Positive Attitude: All successful job hunters say one thing: "This job is mine!" The key to winning in an interview is a positive attitude. The good news is you have an advantage over the interviewer: the interview is about YOU and you know more about yourself than the interviewer does. The interview is your turn to show all that is great about you. Remember: resumes don't hire, people do. Be prepared for difficult questions and unexpected events, such as delays. Don't let these affect your positive attitude.
  3. Dress the Part: Wear business clothes because first impressions are important.
  4. Write a Thank You Letter: After you conduct your successful interview, it is important to follow it up with a thank you note. Writing thank you notes is not an exercise in tradition; rather, it will allow you to highlight additional skills and qualifications that you may have for the job, it will show that you follow through and it will show that you have class. Your thank you not should also ask the employer when they expect to make a decision. An email thank you not is also appropriate, but a handwritten note will set you apart.

 

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