First Job Interview - Tips?

Question

I have a job interview with a big company tomorrow (http://www.vectormarketing.com/). I'm nervous about it, because it's a professional company, and it'll be my first interview. Of course, it's entry level, because this'll be my first job, but I'm still kind of nervous. I had done a mock interview in speech class at school, which the teacher said I was very poised and whatnot, but with this, I'm not so sure how I'm gonna do. It's a 90 minute interview. I was asked to dress nice and be on time, which isn't a problem, I just need some tips on how to quell nervousness so I'm not stuttering or lose my train of thought during the interview.

Answer 1

Notes, Notes, Notes.
1. Dress well, but comfortable (if necessary wear what
you intend to wear to the interview around the house
for a day, so you do not fidget).

2. Go prepared, take with you everything you will need in
a briefcase etc. My suggestions are notes (see point 3)
deoderant, resume or certificates, breath mints (very
important), water and what ever else you might need.

3. Notes, make notes about yourself, things that you want
to tell them. Computer experience, hobbies, strengths
weaknesses (they always ask that) etc.

4. Research, make sure you look them up and make more
notes about them, when the company was started, who
runs it etc. If you can, slip a question about them into
the conversation. Then they will see how much you
know about them already (is quite impressive).

5. Be exactly fifteen minutes early for your interview. It
always looks good, a half hour is too early.

6. Take your own pen. They always have things for you to
fill out so be ready.

7. Make notes about the job, and questions that you
might have. Dont be afraid to pull out your notes in the
interview and consult them.

8. Be confident. Image is everything. Dont betray the
fact that you are freaking out. Think about what you
say before you say it. Dont start a sentence without
knowing where you're going with it. Dont look down
when they are talking to you or when you are talking
to them, look them in the eye.

9. Be honest, if they ask you how good you are at
something and you know you are crap at it dont say
good, they'll know. Say something like "I am not as
practiced at it as I would like to be".

10. Always remember to put in that you are a quick
learner (they love to hear that).

11. Shake their hand with a firm handshake and say
"I appreciate your time" or "Thank you for meeting
with me".

12. Dont interrupt or be overly eager, be quitely confident.
Let them tell you about the job (lets face it, most people
love the sound of their own voice). Dont get excited
and talk fast or sound desperate. Always stick to the
point.

13. Dont act uncertain. Keep telling yourself that you
already have this job and the meeting is a formality.

14. If the opportunity arrives tell a (short) funny story or
joke (not rude, racist, sexist or otherwise inflammatory)
this will help you to relax and help them see how easily
you are coping with the interview. But only once or
twice, dont go overboard.

15. Practice your serious listening face in the mirror.
Get good at it. This will be the mask you hide behind
whilst your insides are turning to jelly.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

First of all, you need to take a death breath and relax just before going into the room. Be yourself, speak clearly and with confidence. You have wonderful skills and have a lot to offer to them as a company.

Also, try to imagine them as your new family because when you get the position, you will be spending more of your waking hours with them than you do with your real family. You are in a sense interviewing them too. Are they a good fit for you. You don't want a job where you'll be unhappy. So choose wisely.

Answer 3

Sit up straight, look the interviewer in the eye, don't fidget. If you feel very nervous, clasp your hands together while you are sitting. Try not to use "um" or "uh" in your conversation, and remember to speak clearly and confidently (and not in a quiet monotone).

Shake hands with the interviewer when you walk in and when you leave, and remember to thank him/her for the interview or say something like "it was a pleasure meeting you." Be very kind to the secretary or receptionist who greets you or shows you in/out of the interview. (They will absolutely tell their boss if they thought you were nice or not.)

Good luck to you!

Answer 4

Prepare answers to common questions like, your strengths and weaknesses, what can you do for this company, why do you want this position, what prior experience qualifies you for this job, how would you deal with difficult people, how would you deal with failure, are you a team player, stuff like that.

Answer 5

make sure you have good eye contact, pretend to look at them if you are nervous but make it seem like you are giving them eye contact during the interview.