Job Interview Advice

Don't get overly nervous!
Most people that interview you are not professional job interviewers. They typically don't just interview for a living, so by being nervous you will not help the situation.

Try to sit back and relax, visualize how the interview will go before hand, and remember the interviewer on the other side of the desk is just another person like you; so be professional, but also be yourself. Keep in mind, if you get the job, the company will find out who the real you is within a short period of time, so pretending to be something that you are not is likely to create problems down the road.

Be well prepared!
Get information on the company. It is a very important job interview tip to know the company and people you will be meeting with before hand. You can never be too prepared for a job interview. Make sure you check out their website and that you scan news channel websites (like Google News) for any latest business developments.

Expect to be asked the interview question: "Tell me a little about yourself."
This is probably one of the most popular questions of all interviewers. The difficulty in answering this question is you never know what the interviewer is looking for. Do they want you to tell them about your educational background, your present job, your last job, etc. You can get yourself in trouble here, by just rambling on and on, rather than answering the question with what they are looking for. The best job interview tip for handling this is to say: "Sure I'd love to, where would you like me to start?" Doing this will actually allow you to take control of the interview, and give the interviewer the information that they are truly seeking.

Avoid being negative about your previous companies, jobs, or bosses!
This is a big TRAP that many people fall into. The job interview tip is to talk about things you learned, opportunities you had and contributions you made. If you speak negatively about past employers, the interviewer is likely to wonder, was it the employer who was bad, or you? Don't fall into this trap.

General
To do well at the interview you will need to convince the interviewer you are technically qualified to do the job. You will also need to show that you are sufficiently motivated to get the job done well and that you will fit in with the company's organisational structure and the team in which you will work.

You should dress smartly for the interview and should leave home earlier than you need to on the day of the interview - you may be delayed by traffic or for other reasons. Be courteous to all employees of the company. At the interview itself you must be positive about yourself and your abilities - but do not waffle.

Before attending an interview you should think about your responses to the following questions. Your answers may depend on the job or company in question, so you should go through your responses just before each interview.
 

Example Questions

Why do you want this job?
Think carefully about this question. Stress the positive aspects which have attracted you to applying for this position. Do not mention the negative aspects of your current job or the job in question.

What qualities do you think will be required for this job?
Their advertisement for the job may help you a little bit, but you should also think of the other qualities that may be required. These may include leadership ability, supervisory skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem solving, analytical skills, etc.

What can you contribute?
This is your chance to shine. Tell them about your achievements in your previous position(s) which are relevant to the new position you are applying for.

Why do you want to work for this company?
Emphasise the positive reasons why you want to join their company, but avoid aspects such as more money or shorter hours. These would not endear you to a prospective employer.

What do you know about this company?
This is your chance to impress the interviewer with your knowledge of their company. Give them a run down of their products/services, sales figures, news, company figures, customers, etc.

What interests you about our product (or service)?
Again, your research into the company should aid you in answering this question.

What can we (the new company) offer that your previous company cannot offer?
Tread carefully here! Again do not mention money. Stress opportunities for personal growth, new challenges, etc.