How to present yourself in an Interview

Express yourself at job interview
The job interview is a key step to the road to your future. It’s your opportunity to shine. An interview gives you a chanceto display your intelligence, talent and enthusiasm. How you handle yourself can make or break your chances of getting the job you want.

Interests
What types of work excite you? What job do you really want?

Abilities
What skills do you have? What ones do you need for the job you want?

Education
List the schools you’ve attended, courses you’ve taken, and degrees and certificates you’ve earned.

Experience
List all your previous jobs, including part-time, free-lance and volunteer work.

Values
What basic attitudes do you have toward the world, other people and yourself?

Strengths and Weaknesses
What are you good at? What weakness must you overcome to get the jog you want?

Most of all know your goals!
Ask yourself what you want to be doing in 5 years from now. Know you’re immediate and long –range goals!
Know the organization, too.
It may give you the edge you need.

Be friendly
Greet the interviewer by name. Smile and give a firm handshake. Treat everyone you talk with in a polite, professional manner.

Show your enthusiasm
Enthusiasm and a sense of humor can help create a good impression.

Be positive
Keep the atmosphere friendly and pleasant. Don’t put others down to make yourself look good.

Maintain eye contact
Good eye contact is a key to building trust in a relationship.

Express yourself
Speak clearly. Use complete sentences, avoid one word answers. Don’t use slang, and don’t ramble.

Be aware of body language
Your tone of voice, posture, etc. all gives clues about your feelings and attitudes. Be sensitive to these signals in
yourself and others. Face the interviewer in a relaxed open manner.

Be a good listener
Be alert to nonverbal cues indicating when you should start or stop talking. Don’t be thinking of your response while theinterviewer is still talking.

Be yourself
Don’t try to change your personality. Give the interviewer a chance to find out who you are.

Take your time.
Answer all the questions thoughtfully. Give specific examples, where appropriate.
Emphasize your strengths.
Focus on work experience, courses or personal qualities that would be beneficial for the job.

Don’t criticize.
Don’t put down previous employers, teachers, or co-workers. It will give the interviewer a negative impression of you.

Have something to offer
Discuss ways you can contribute to the organization. Let the interviewer know how you can meet a need or solve a problem.

Be assertive
This doesn’t mean you should be aggressive. It means being confident in your abilities.

Avoid personal issues
Don’t discuss family, personal or financial problems.

Thank the interviewer
Be sure to thank the interviewer for his or her time and interest when the interview is over.

Ask
When you can expect a decision and if you should call. Make sure the employer knows how to reach you.

Analyze
Your performance in the interview. Ask yourself if you did all you could to emphasize your strengths.

Follow up
The interview with a thank you letter. In it, restate your interest in the job, summarize key points of the interview and add further information to help your case.

Don’t get discouraged
Rejection is part of any job search. The key is to learn from the process.