Six Success Steps - What To Do When An Interview Is Next Up

Making a career change into a new profession or changing employers to have a different job usually means one thing: An interview. Many people see the interview as being a terrifying part of landing a job, but it doesn't have to be a scary event.

Here are six ways that you can impress the person behind the desk and sell yourself to land a better job that fits you well.

Practice. Then Practice More.

Learning something new or being good at a task we don't do often takes practice. An interview is no different. Sitting down with a friend who is objective and role-playing an interview situation many times, can help you learn how to leave a good impression.

Practice reduces the "Ums" and "Uhs" you might say when you're nervous. You can be familiar with the interview environment and feel at ease, not silly or scrutinized. You'll practice avoiding rubbing your nose or looking down. When you get to your real interview, habit will kick in and you'll know how to sit, what to say, and when to ask questions.

Develop Answers to Tough Questions

Inevitably, a potential employer will ask you the one question you wished they hadn't. Don't be left squirming on the chair trying to answer. During your practice sessions, develop good ways to answer all the tricky questions.

Above all, don't lie. It's best to find words and sentences that show you're not perfect, but that you've learned from situations and have come out a better person because of them. If you have blank spots of unemployment on your resume, tell your employer some of the constructive things you did during that time, rather than gloss over you weren't working.

Being prepared with good answers to tough questions means that when those questions are asked, you'll deliver a response that sounds confident and right.

Use "I" Often

"I" sentences show confidence in yourself and leave others with a good impression. It's okay to talk about yourself and what you've done - after all, an interview is all about you, isn't it? Potential employers don't want to know about the team that you worked with or the other company that you worked for. Potential employers want to know what YOU did, how YOU improved things, what YOU learned, and what YOU accomplished. Use "I" and "My" often and drop "We," "They," or "Our."

Relax and Feel Comfortable

This isn't a firing squad. Don't sit stiff as a board. Enjoy yourself and be yourself during an interview. Trying to impress the other person is normal, but you also need to show the potential employer who you really are. Feel comfortable during the interview, and that will show your potential employer even more confidence in yourself - that you know you are good for their business and that you know you can do a good job.

Ask Questions

Prepare a couple of questions about the company that you'd like to work for. Not only are you being interviewed, but you also have the chance to interview your potential employer and find out a little bit more about their business or company. Asking a few questions (ones that you hopefully have done your homework on and already know the answers to) shows an interest in the job and company, leaving employers feeling that you've taken the job opportunity seriously.

How simple is that all then? Well, in truth, it might still make you a bit apprehensive, this interview thing. So remember that your interviewer is on your side - they need great candidates to succeed, so bear that in mind.

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