One of the most important aspects of getting that great job is knowing how to properly present yourself in an interview. Look at your resume as the thing that gets you in the door. The interview is actually where you land the job. Interviewing is just about always nerve-racking, because most of the times you interview for a job it’s a job that you really want. Regardless of how many times you’ve done it and how confident you are, there will always be a little anxiety associated with interviewing. Look at it as a positive though, because that little bit of anxiety is what keeps you on your toes and ensures that you prepare yourself well.
The biggest misconception that people have about interviews is that they need to know every answer to every question. This is completely untrue. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have in any field or industry, anytime you move to a new position there will be some sort of learning curve. No employer would ever expect someone to know everything there is to know before they even start. During your interview you want to make sure that you show them that you do know something about the job you would be doing, but for most positions they are looking for someone who has the ability to learn and do it with the right attitude.
Attitude is one of the key components of interviewing well. Employees nowadays cost companies a lot of money with rising health care costs and the abundance of opportunities to outsource positions. The last thing they want to do is invest time in someone that is not going to be a team player. While the position you’re applying for will determine what type of personality they may be looking for, there are some basic characteristics that everybody should have. Humility is first and foremost. No one wants to have to deal with an arrogant co-worker, so be wary of the difference between confidence and arrogance. Having the right attitude shows your potential employer that you’re willing to learn and be flexible enough to do what the company needs you to.
Confidence is another key component to nailing an interview. Showing your employer that you’re confident in your abilities makes them confident in you. The key to having confidence is not in showing that you know it all. It’s showing that you have the ability to learn it all. By being honest and saying that you “don’t know, but feel that you could pick up quickly” shows that you don’t think you know it all, but that you’re willing to do what’s necessary to get up to speed. That is the type of image you want to portray, and it makes you very attractive to the person interviewing you.
Attitude and confidence are two cornerstones in making a great impression in an interview. But there are other things that can sway your interviewer and determine whether you get that job offer or not. Come back tomorrow for part two of How To Ace Your Interview.
