Acing the first interview

By Lars B. Jensen on August 31st, 2009

Congratulations! You have just landed an interview and are one step closer at getting the job you wanted. Now what? A successful interview is essential for you to be threading that needle and making it through.

You have no way of knowing what the interview will be like, but by following the guidelines and strategies in this article, you should feel confident and ready to present yourself positively.

A few days before the interview

Make sure you look your best.  Depending on the company and position, select your outfit and make sure to check for spots and wrinkles.  Get a haircut and try to go to bed early to make sure you’re on top of your game – if you look and feel good, others will respond accordingly.

Do your homework; research about the company and learn as much as you can about what they do, their marketing position, product offering, customers and competition to give you the edge to understand and address the company’ specific needs.  The more you know about the company, the better the chance you have in selling and putting yourself ahead of the game.  You should also look into the company’s culture and environment to make sure you are a good fit and will thrive in your new career.

Refresh your knowledge of relevant skills to the position you may not have used recently.  Know your resume inside and out by practicing interview questions with a friend and preparing the questions you have for the company. Prepare extra copies of your resume, your references and bring paper for your notes.

The Interview

Be on time!  There is absolutely no excuse for arriving late for an interview.  You may even leave early and stay somewhere close until the time of the interview.  It is best to enter the building about 15 minutes before the agreed time to be relaxed and focused.

Greet the interviewer standing up.  You will want to demonstrate your conficence with a firm handshake and plenty of eye contact.  Even though you are nervous, try not to show it. The best way to achieve this is to be prepared to the best of your ability.

Candidates often do not realize whether they are answering the question being asked.  Make sure you know what the question is about.  When preparing your replies be specific and incorporate success stories.   Your past experiences and behavior in your answer indicate how you will perform in the future.

Don’t forget to thank the interviewer for his time at the end.

Following up after the interview

Make sure you follow up on the interview, either directly to the interviewer or via your recruitment consultant. It is a great chance for you to remind them how much you enjoyed the valuable interview as well as your seriousness towards the position. Remember, this is the last chance to market yourself positively to seal the second interview.

Good luck!

Lars B. Jensen

Lars has an unique background as an entrepreneur and a technology specialist with a strong passion for supporting small businesses.

He has years of experience in implementing HRM systems and developing Skill Assessment tools, eLearning and advertisement solutions. He was the technical force behind getting CareerCross running in their early days, and today he is the man behind JobDragon.

Originally from Denmark, Lars has lived in Japan since 2001. When he is not working, you often times find him riding his Harley on a remote mountain road or with a camera in his hand conducting workshops for photographers and aspiring models.