Finding a new job is always an adventure on its own and many people consider it difficult or time consuming which is why they stick to their current jobs. However, to prosper in life and move forward, you must actively search for new roles and define yourself in new ways as the world and technology progress forward. These new roles may not exist in your current organisation which is why you need keep an eye on the market and move on before it is too late.

At the heart of job changing is the process of job interview and how to convince an interviewer that you have got what it takes to fulfil their specific needs. This article provides guidelines on how to improve your interview skills.

Interview preparation

• Find as much as you can about the company and the atmosphere of working for them. As a minimum it will simply reduce the potential regret you have later on.
• Check websites and flyers to obtain information. If they are a public company, obtain company financial reports and check on various share dealing websites on the historical performance of the company and go through their specific challenges and problems.
• Find out their competitors. Make sure you apply to the company you like best. If their competitor can offer you the same job and you like them more, there is no point to go for this job.
• If possible, observe employees who go into or come out of their building to get a feel for their mood. Better still, try to talk to them to find out more.
• Go through question answers and use interview training to build your confidence. Interview skills training materials can be quite effective as well.
• Practice questions/answers with a friend. You will be amazed how much effect this simple activity can have on your attitude and general confidence.

First Impressions

• Project presence. A high impact person is always remembered and is always considered. Enhance your personal impact by training and work on your communication skills.
• It is world famous that first impressions count a lot in an interview. Practice to get it right.
• Dress appropriately for the job. If you visually appear as a person who can do the job, you are more likely to get it.
• Smile and be positive. No one likes negativity.
• Establish rapport and make small talk. Communicate on an emotional level.
• Maintain an eye contact at all times and act like yourself. This allows you to be calm, confident and appear genuine.

The Interview

• Be enthusiastic about the role, the company and life in general. Project a positive attitude towards everything.
• Sit up and hold a confident posture. Body langue plays a vital role in interviews, so make the best of it. Read books on body language skills and practice with friends to master the art.
• Use active listening. Listen and then present what they said in your own words to show that you fully understand and are paying attention.
• When you are asked a question, it is OK to pause to think about it before you answer it. Jumping to answer every question you are thrown is risky and you can easily end up saying the wrong thing which you will not get a second chance to correct. Thinking before answering, shows that you are a person who thinks carefully before talking which makes it more attractive for them to employ you and later use you as a representative of their company.
• Always have some questions to ask at the interview. Questions show that you are still interested and want to know more. Not asking any question doesn’t mean everything has been explained very well; it means you have lost interest, no longer have confidence to get the job, or find the job overwhelming.
• If something doesn’t work, do something else; otherwise you will get the same results. If your interview was not successful, analyse it and take steps to change your behaviour and performance so you can get new results next time.
  

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