If you have been looking for a new job, you will likely have a number of job interviews coming up in the next few weeks or months. They are certainly stressful for most of us. With that in mind, there are preparation steps that you can and should take to ensure that your next job interview is less stressful and more successful than you may have experienced in the past.
One of the most important tips, as you prepare for an upcoming job interview, is knowing what NOT to say. There are some topics that need to be discussed during a job interview, but there are others that should be left out of the conversation.
One of the many topics that you should refrain from discussing is your personal life. For instance, you do not want to talk about your family or any friends that you may have. If you are asked if you are a parent, you will want to respond, as well as answer other non-intrusive personal questions brought up by the interviewer. But, let them pose the questions. Refrain from volunteering personal information. Keep your personal and professional lives separate.
Bad experiences at past jobs are another one of the many topics that you should refrain from discussing at job interviews. For starters, your opinion may be seen as gossip by your interviewer, or "sour grapes". You will also want to refrain from divulging important information about your past employer, especially if they can be considered competitors. Simply taking the high road and avoiding any topics that have to deal with poor experiences at your previous places of employment should enhance your professional image.
It is also advised that you refrain from speaking poorly about any of your former supervisors. No matter if your boss was in the wrong, you will want avoid speaking about the conflict. That doesn't mean that you should lie, if asked, but it does mean that you should at least use your best judgment in how you phrase any criticism. You will want to show all prospective employers that you have respect for the hierachal position of Manager, even if you did not get along with certain former managers.
If you were ever terminated from a job, you will want to proceed with caution during your job interviews. Discussing a job from which you were terminated is a tricky tightrope. Tell the truth, at all costs. If you leave out important details, those details may come to light later and you could be terminated. Try best to explain the firing from your point of view and hope it will not eliminate you from further consideration.
Low pay is another topic that you may want to refrain from discussing. It is not uncommon for pay to be discussed during a job interview, but, should you find the starting salary to be lower than you may have thought, you will want to keep your composure. It would be impolite for you to leave in the middle of your interview or complain about the pay. What you may want to do, instead, is spin it in a somewhat positive matter that can still display your disapproval. You may want to consider asking about the other benefits, like sick days or vacation days, which can be used as other forms of compensation.
These tips will help you master the interview process or, at least, be invited back for further interviews.
In the case of advertised positions, you will have your resume accepted and you will be told that you will be contacted for a job interview in the future. However, whether advertised or not, you may receive a spontaneous job interview on-the-spot.
Here is why you should love the opportunity of a spontaneous interview if it presents itself.
Spontaneous job interviews come in a number of different formats. Expect to get short notice so be prepared. For instance, a Manager may ask you to come in for an interview later the same day or the following day. Most of your competition is blown away because they simply did not expect an interview that is scheduled right away. This is not uncommon, especially in retail.
As important as last minute interviews are, they can be downright frightening for applicants who are unprepared. For you, preparation is your key to eliminating nervousness and performing successfully.
You should know that there are both a number of advantages and disadvantages to these last minute interviews. One of those benefits to you, the applicant, is the obvious need of the employer. If an employer is looking to interview you on-the-spot or if they are looking to set up a job interview as soon as possible, there is a good chance that they need to hire someone right away. This vital need can significantly increase your chances of getting the job, perhaps, immediately.
Spontaneous interviews need not be difficult once you know the steps that you can take to prepare for them.
For starters, you want to be properly dressed. Even if you are just dropping off your application and your resume, you will want to make sure that your appearance is professional in nature, especially if you are submitting your resume or application for a position that requires a certain dress code. In other words, look like you fit in, look like all you need is a name tag and you could start work that day.
The most successful job seekers prefer these last minute job interviews because they have taken the time to prepare. While less successful applicants tend to fear them because they are not prepared. This preparation should involve having a mock interview with your friends or family members and using the internet to research common interview questions and answers. Taking a few minutes or a few hours, at the most, to prepare for a job interview, even if one has yet to be scheduled, will give you a powerful advantage.
As nerve-wracking as last minute or spontaneous job interviews can be, they can be the opportunity of a lifetime. Our advice is to submit your resume or your job application in person and go for it. You will learn to love spontaneous interviews!
Jim Desantis has sinced written about articles on various topics from Depression Cure, Get Ex Back and Affiliate Programs. Jim DeSantis, a former TV NewsDirector, provides cutting edge employment tactics. For scripted job interview answers see and for the latest resume' techniqu. Jim Desantis's top article generates over 2240000 views. to your Favourites.