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Interviews can be tough most of the time. Whether it’s figuring out what to say, fighting stage fright, struggling with what to wear, or just getting to your interview on time, there are many different aspects to think about when adventuring into an interview and hiring process. We here at Tempstar Staffing would like to give you some tips on super-easy ways you can improve your interviews, land that job you’ve been eyeing for a while, and succeed with your life goals.

 

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Here they are:

 

Be Early, Not on Time, and Never Late.

You probably already know not to be late to an interview; that’s almost a guaranteed way to be removed from consideration immediately. However, there’s more to it than just being late or on time to your interviews. Have you considered that being early may have a fairly big impact before the interview has even started?

A big tip with arriving at interviews is: If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. Being early to your interview is the best way to start it off on the right foot. It shows that you are responsible and punctual. The best advice is to plan ahead and arrive 10-20 minutes earlier than the interview schedule. If it takes you 20 minutes to get there, leave 30-40 minutes before the interview starts.

 

What Not to Wear (to Your Interviews).

Again, this is probably something everybody knows about when interviewing. You should definitely wear something that is appropriate for the job you are interviewing. There are tricks, though, that may make a great first impression on your interviewer without requiring much effort on your part.

If you are interviewing for a job that’s business casual, or at the very least, jeans and a t-shirt, always bump it up a notch when trying out your wardrobe. The worst thing you can do is match everybody’s clothes; the object of the interview itself, and especially what you’re wearing, is to stand out! So, don’t be afraid to stand out! It’ll help you out in the long run.

 

Don’t Waste Time Prepping for Questions You Might Not Get Asked.

Interviews are relatively unpredictable. If you’re having trouble talking in interviews, it might be because you’ve prepared for questions that were never asked or weren’t focused on. This is a struggle that a lot of people have due to the nature of interviews: a branching tree that may take one path, or may take a different path entirely.

Focus your preparation instead on your experience, your knowledge, your education, and your expertise. You’ll find that, if you rehearse these areas thoroughly, the rest just falls into place naturally.

 

Eye Contact!

No, you’re not on a date, but eye contact is extremely important in an interview. No eye contact is often associated with dishonesty or insincerity; maintaining eye contact shows your interviewer that you are serious about what you are telling them, and it shows them that they are at the center of your attention.

Yes, it is very hard to maintain eye contact. It may make you uncomfortable. However, it is the best way to show your interviewer that you are seriously interested in working for them.

Surrounded by multiple interviewers? That’s a bit tougher to manage. Here’s a tip: make more eye contact with the interviewer who asked you the question, and occasionally look back and forth at the others. This shows that you’re still focused on who you’re talking to, but you’re also making sure to include and recognize the others as well.

 

Don’t Ramble.

People who get nervous easily often start to ramble in interviews. If you’re nervous, chances are you’ll start going on and on about little things that don’t make much sense in context with the question. Stay on task and answer the question with just the right amount of information.

It is also important to note that, for most questions, simply answering with one or two words won’t cut it. Unless it’s a “yes” or “no” question that is immediately followed up by your interviewer, you should add a bit more to your explanation: offer background information, talk about your strengths and weaknesses that relate to the topic, or bring your experience into the conversation. Do what you have to do in order to remain on top of the question; don’t ramble, but don’t stay quiet. Find a healthy middle ground!

 

Got your interview strategy nailed down but want some extra help? Our staffing professionals are here to help you find the perfect fit for your next career or temporary assignment.

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