Remaining Positive at Job Interview

Preparing for an important interview takes time and practice. The feeling of helplessness that overcomes candidates applying for a position can become a factor in the interview process. That sense of vulnerability can cause an interviewee to lack the self confidence that is sought by most employers. The following are tips and tricks can help you to take control of the interview.

Research, research, research. We would suggest that your research include, whenever possible, a conversation with an employee of the company or organization to explore the group culture which would clarify what they value, how they do business, how they treat people, and whether people enjoy working for them. The result of this arduous search will be the assurance that you can bring to an interview any and all available knowledge about the targeted company. This assurance will bolster the self confidence required to make that positive first impression and will help the candidate to be perceived as the problem solver that the company requires. The reason for this is that an employer will be seeking to hire someone capable of solving the company's problems.

Let me give you an Example! A well chosen example can be compared to the picture worth a thousand words which will vastly broaden the positive impact of any answer. Whenever possible, the question will be followed by a short but clear theoretical answer followed by the candidate saying: "Let me give you an example ". Use strategically chosen examples of your past achievements to clarify and illustrate your answers. A well chosen example can be compared to the picture worth a thousand words which will vastly broaden the positive impact of any answer. When asked about business solutions, for example, a candidate can show not only how he or she solved problems but also how they contributed to the success of others by quietly providing help and information behind the scenes which will show them as a team builder as well as a coach.

Answering the question. When a candidate is asked: "Tell us something about yourself", the standard ice breaker question, they could ask: "Do you mean personally or professionally". Answering the question, although it is not always easy, is an important part of controlling the interview. Such tactics portray a lack of focus and an inability or unwillingness to follow instructions all of which are characteristics undesirable in a potential employee. Answering the question, although it is not always easy, is an important part of controlling the interview.

Remain positive at all times. Being able to retrieve the positive elements of even the most negative situation is a desirable characteristic in an employee. Let us take an extreme example. Being fired or downsized can be the most negative experience possible. Yet some of the most successful executives in the history of business have been fired at some point in their career. Those who continued to be successful were not demoralized. They were able to portray there firing as a key learning experience and many were subsequently able to show exactly how what they learnt from that experience contributed to their future success.

The knowledge inherent in all four of these strategies will put the candidate in the power position of being able to deliver the message of their choice to a potential employer under any and all circumstances including the unpredictable situational questions. Practicing and mastering the techniques with friends, colleagues and references will bolster the confidence level of an applicant and will make any interview a positive experience.

Courtesy Article Base