The Dos and Don’t of Successful Job Interviewing

Almost everyone will have a job interview in their lifetime. Yet, many individuals struggle with the basics of interviewing etiquette. Master these job interviewing essentials and you'll undoubtedly create a memorable and positive impression.

The Dos:

• Arrive early. Aim for a window of 10 to 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
• Represent yourself authentically. Be your true self and elaborate on the qualities that set you apart.
• Exude enthusiasm. Display genuine excitement for the role, the company, and your own potential contribution.
• Outline your value proposition. Inquire about the specific challenges the company faces and elucidate how your experience positions you to address these issues.
• Offset weaknesses with strengths. Identifying your weaknesses is crucial. Be prepared, and always counter with a solution.
• Pose insightful inquiries. Remember, interviews are a two-way street. Asking well-informed questions demonstrates your keen interest.
• Demonstrate organization. Have your key talking points well-defined. Feel free to bring a list for reference.
• Highlight your accomplishments. Embrace this opportunity to showcase your achievements but do so with a measure of humility and self-awareness. Narrate instances where your former employer entrusted you with increased responsibilities.
• Address previous job departures positively. Emphasize a quest for greater challenges, responsibilities, and growth. If a departure was involuntary, speak honestly and underscore lessons learned, avoiding emotional expressions and adhering to the factual aspects.
• Stress the opportunity. Convey your genuine eagerness for the role and emphasize its priority. Let the interviewer know it's your top choice, and that you're enthusiastic to embark on the journey.

The Don’ts:

• Punctuality matters. Avoid being late at all costs.
• Make disparaging comments. Maintain professionalism by refraining from negative remarks about past or present employers.
• Give monosyllabic answers. While brevity is appreciated, substantiate your responses with clear, pertinent examples.
• Overlook your appearance. Dress appropriately for the business environment and keep your appearance neat and clean.
• Exaggerate your experiences. Present only precise information about your work history and skill set.
• Leave without expressing gratitude. End the interview with a thank-you and convey appreciation for the interviewer.

For more comprehensive insights into interview preparation and other aspects of the job search process, check out our other resources for job seekers.

Or if you're ready to take the plunge, explore our current job openings today.