Interview Advice
Some REAL Advice For Job Interview Candidates
Job interviews are seldom fun. But they are at least an opportunity and route to something better in life so the best thing is to approach them as a challenge with a worthwhile prize.
Odds are the job interviewer you're talking to has been to a lot more job interviews than you have so this article will try and help you even the odds of doing well by giving your some concrete advice about common job interviewer tricks and tactics that often spell 'bad news' for the unprepared interviewee.
The fact of the matter is that it's almost entirely a battle of wills...i.e. Yours versus the interviewer. For most mid-level and below positions, the interviewer knows good and well that the company is going to train the successful candidate (you) to do things 'their way'.
Remember that the interviewers job is as much to make sure that the wrong person doesn't get the job as it is to try to find the right person for it. So you can win half the battle by simply not saying the wrong thing.
Point is, the interviewer is not so much interested in what you know as what you're capable of learning and how well you'll fit into their existing 'company culture'. That's where you've got to come across as alert, confident and hard working.
Recognizing that it's highly unlikely that you can know every seemingly obscure question the interviewer will ask, your aim should be to come across as somebody who's has high standards and goals and is always capable of dealing with the reality that life can throw out and handling situations calmly.
The job interview is a chance for you to demonstrate your attitude and personality and ability to communicate rather than regurgitate all the boring details of your past. If you can impress the interviewer that you're an achiever who's ever-inquisitive and able to relate to people, likely that's what he or she is looking for.
Remember, the higher up you go in most organizations, the more of an independent thinker and the more aggressive they allow you (and in fact...expect) to be. That has a lot to do with how you should handle yourself in the interview.
Of course, a lot of how you should handle yourself in the interview depends on whether you're interviewing for a real executive type position, a mid-level managerial position or a basic staff position.
Always remain confident, never lie or allow yourself to get flustered and NEVER try to be someone you aren’t - it will almost always backfire.
Don't be afraid to say, “I don't know.” Remember, the interviewer wants to see how you handle the unexpected. He or she knows what goes on in the real world. They know that the unexpected happens. They know that 'all you can do is all you can do'. If they tag you as a person who's willing to deal honestly with reality.....odds are they'll see that you could function effectively with their company.
These are some thoughts on the subject of 'how can a job candidate prepare for a job interview'. It's by no means inclusive of everything you might consider but it will give you a mental framework from which to proceed.
Good luck in your job search!
