Essential Job Interview Tips and Your Turn to Ask Memorable Questions

I was forced to put together a job interview tip filled with the real essentials that you actually need to know because most are either too elemental that they are not useful, or too ridiculous that they are just a waste of time.

Yes, it’s true that you should dress appropriately - corporate, business casual, casual - to match the culture of the company, polish your shoes before an interview, and have a clean haircut and a well shaven facial hair. Sure, it’s a good idea not to wear a highly noticeable scent on your clothing in case your interviewer is
allergic… And maybe people don’t enjoy shaking a hand that smells of the fufu you took the night before, so if you have time to rub some mildly-scented hand lotion before you walk through the door then you should do that too. Also, it’s important for ladies to keep their body parts inside their clothing, to avoid wearing anything too revealing, not to overdo makeup, no flashy jewelry, to avoid heavy eye shadow, eyeliner, bright colored lipstick, but wear natural colours.

But let’s get real.

Do you actually think that any of those tips are enough to earn you the job? Is the candidate who wears the most expensive suit going to be the one who sticks out even if he did terribly during the interview?

Instead of worrying about 100 little things that could be an icebreaker, why not spend time thinking about the stuff that actually matters and makes you stand out? Then you could blast the other candidates out of the water. You’d be so far ahead of everyone else that the hiring manager could care less about whether your handshake was smelly or if your shoes are scuffed or any other meaningless metric.

Try these tips to increase your chances at an interview

Be Clear, apt and succinct

Interviewees’ rambling on is one of the most common interview blunders ever. You really have to listen to the question, and answer the question, and concisely too! So many people can't get this basic thing down. You ask them a question, and they go off on a tangent. They might think you want to hear what they're saying, but they didn't answer your question. Give yourself time to think about each question. Pause before answering so that you can think about the best response instead of being vague, and make sure you're giving them the information they need. Speak clearly and vary the tone to show you are interested and enthusiastic.

Provide Examples

It is one thing to say you can do something; it is another to give examples of things you have done. Come with a headful of examples and evidences of the work you've done.  Anticipate the questions a recruiter is going to ask based on the requirement of the role. Think of recent strong strategic examples of work you've done, then when the question is asked, answer with specifics, not in generalities. You should say, ‘Yes, I've done that before and here's an example of a time I did that…,' and then come back and ask the recruiter, ‘Did that answer your question?'"

 Don’t be Deceptive

 Somehow, candidates get the impression that a good technique is to dance around difficult interview questions. You don’t have an answer, say so, learn your lessons from the ‘My oga at the top’ saga. "If you don't have a skill, just state it. Don't try to cover it up by talking and giving examples that aren't relevant. You're much better off saying you don't have that skill but perhaps you do have some related skills, and you're happy to tell them about that if they like. Speak from experience - give examples that can demonstrate what knowledge and skills you have, and what you have learned in the past. Be positive about the skills you have and what you have done. Don't give the employer a chance to downgrade your abilities by saying things such as "I only have..." or "I don't have direct experience in that area". Instead, tell the employer what you do have or can offer

Keep Your Guard Up

There are two classes of recruiters:

Those who are very straight-laced and serious, and candidates had better take the process seriously as well when dealing with them.

Then, those who are a candidate’s best friend. Their technique is to put candidates at ease, because they want candidates to tell them everything, and a lot of candidates mess up in this area. They start to think, ‘Oh, this guy is cool. I can tell him anything.' And then they cross the line." And that can take a candidate out of contention. Remember: Always maintain your professionalism.

Ask Great Questions

Interviewing can be a gut-wrenching process. Most books list hundreds of interview questions you need to be ready to answer, but few talk about the questions you need to ask.

Another interview tip is to come ready with good questions to ask. Nothing impresses interviewers more than a really good question that not only shows you've researched the company in general, but also the specific job you're hoping to land in particular. That makes them go, ‘Wow, this person has really done their homework. He does not only know the company, but he knows the role’.

The landscape for job seekers today is more treacherous than at any other time in history. In other words, if you want a job today, the hard work starts when you prepare for the interview. That means not just nailing the interview questions you are asked, but actually asking the kinds of questions designed to make the interviewer sit up and take notice. It’s no longer enough to be qualified. If you want a job in today’s business environment, you have to shine, and there’s no better way to show your excellence than by asking excellent questions.

Don’t squander the opportunity to shine by asking mundane questions the interviewer has heard before. Take more control at your next interview by asking some pointed questions of your own.

Watch this space for Job interview: A Two-Way Process - Your Turn to Ask Questions