First job interview tomorrow... Any advice?
- Thread starter Jakub324
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While you're memorising the company history, you should also start looking up common interview questions online. Chances are they will ask you similar interview questions as seen online so at least anticipate the questions.
Mostly importantly, stay relax and confident.
Mostly importantly, stay relax and confident.
Firm handshake. It is first impressions after all, only before your appearance. As for everything else, someone with actual experience should be able to help you.
Listen for the phrase "can you give me an example of ...." if they say that magic phrase, give them an example. It sounds dumb but it's not.
For example "can you give me an example of a time when you have worked in a team" the bad answer is "I've always worked in a team", that isn't an example. A good answer is "in school I played played football".
Could always say how that experience could help you work in a card shop, like learning to rely on other people or something.
Oh and always look that sucker dead in the eye or bridge of his nose! No matter how uncomfy you feel, no matter how much you think you look like you are staring look at it! Blink of course and a avoid psycho killer wide eyed glare.
Lastly, never imagine them naked! Especially if it's to your sexual preference (if you are a gay guy with a male interviewer for example) 'cos standing to leave the interview with a trouser tent is just plain bad! haha
For example "can you give me an example of a time when you have worked in a team" the bad answer is "I've always worked in a team", that isn't an example. A good answer is "in school I played played football".
Could always say how that experience could help you work in a card shop, like learning to rely on other people or something.
Oh and always look that sucker dead in the eye or bridge of his nose! No matter how uncomfy you feel, no matter how much you think you look like you are staring look at it! Blink of course and a avoid psycho killer wide eyed glare.
Lastly, never imagine them naked! Especially if it's to your sexual preference (if you are a gay guy with a male interviewer for example) 'cos standing to leave the interview with a trouser tent is just plain bad! haha
If they ask you something like, "tell me when you dealt with a difficult situation", always explain an example in a few sentences, tell them what happened, what you did about it, and what the outcome was. Basically your answers to those kind of questions should have 3 stages, but try not to waffle too much.
Also, make sure you answer the question they are asking. This might sound obvious, but when nerves kick in it's easy to forget what they asked, so listening is important too.
Don't be afraid to show your personality, if you feel a joke fits the mood then go for it. I've found that making the interviewer laugh has a positive effect. Only if it's appropriate though!
Other than that, just arrive 15mins early with a good breakfast in your belly, smile and be confident! Oh and I almost forgot, have a copy of your CV handy just incase they need it.
Good luck
Also, make sure you answer the question they are asking. This might sound obvious, but when nerves kick in it's easy to forget what they asked, so listening is important too.
Don't be afraid to show your personality, if you feel a joke fits the mood then go for it. I've found that making the interviewer laugh has a positive effect. Only if it's appropriate though!
Other than that, just arrive 15mins early with a good breakfast in your belly, smile and be confident! Oh and I almost forgot, have a copy of your CV handy just incase they need it.
Good luck
Do not, no matter what they ask about, be negative about ANYONE. Even if they ask you why you left your previous job and it was because your boss raped your pet chicken with a radish, you were looking for new opportunities, or the company downsized.
Especially for retail, they want people who can be positive no matter what. If you don't think you can be upbeat at the interview, no matter what the cause, you may as well cancel. Retail doesn't care if your pet cat, your auntie or your mother died that morning, you have to smile and be happy ALL the time.
Especially for retail, they want people who can be positive no matter what. If you don't think you can be upbeat at the interview, no matter what the cause, you may as well cancel. Retail doesn't care if your pet cat, your auntie or your mother died that morning, you have to smile and be happy ALL the time.
First of all, do not go in wearing jeans and a t-shirt. You don't have to wear a three piece suit, but at least wear a dress shirt and slacks or a nice skirt (depending on gender and preference).
Second, turn your phone to silent and do not pick up or look at your phone during the interview process, or even while your waiting for the interview to start.
Second, turn your phone to silent and do not pick up or look at your phone during the interview process, or even while your waiting for the interview to start.
Wear formal clothing, a shirt and tie preferably, even if it was just for a games shop clerk or something. Just look smart and be mature. A big part of it is wording everything correctly, for instance, if they were to ask you about your weaknesses, don't say:
"I'm bad at..."
Instead say:
"I need to improve my..." or "areas that I need to work on include..."
It's not a particularly good example, but I hope you see my point.
"I'm bad at..."
Instead say:
"I need to improve my..." or "areas that I need to work on include..."
It's not a particularly good example, but I hope you see my point.
Body language is very important as well.
- Maintain suitable eye contact without staring them down. Some people are pretty shy and will inadvertently look away when answering questions, avoid doing so.
- Don't slouch in your seat, it's best to sit straight and face the interviewer.
- Don't cross your arms, it shows you're being defensive.
- Don't cover your mouth when you speak, it'll look like you're lying or trying to hide something. There's nothing wrong with say, stroking your chin when asked a question. It shows that you're pensive and seriously considering what's being discussed.
- Try not to fidget around too much. Don't play with that button on your shirt, don't keep rubbing your hands together etc. Sure, the interviewer understands that the process can be daunting but you don't want to LOOK like you are nervous.
- Control your bodily functions as best as you can. Don't yawn, you'll look like you're bored. If you have to sneeze, don't do it in to your hand, no one will want to shake it.
- There's nothing wrong with gesticulating with your hands while you speak, just don't over do it.
As you can see, this all comes down to a lot of common sense. Put yourself in the interviewer's shoes. If you were to hire someone to your company, how would you want them to compose themselves during the interview process?
- Maintain suitable eye contact without staring them down. Some people are pretty shy and will inadvertently look away when answering questions, avoid doing so.
- Don't slouch in your seat, it's best to sit straight and face the interviewer.
- Don't cross your arms, it shows you're being defensive.
- Don't cover your mouth when you speak, it'll look like you're lying or trying to hide something. There's nothing wrong with say, stroking your chin when asked a question. It shows that you're pensive and seriously considering what's being discussed.
- Try not to fidget around too much. Don't play with that button on your shirt, don't keep rubbing your hands together etc. Sure, the interviewer understands that the process can be daunting but you don't want to LOOK like you are nervous.
- Control your bodily functions as best as you can. Don't yawn, you'll look like you're bored. If you have to sneeze, don't do it in to your hand, no one will want to shake it.
- There's nothing wrong with gesticulating with your hands while you speak, just don't over do it.
As you can see, this all comes down to a lot of common sense. Put yourself in the interviewer's shoes. If you were to hire someone to your company, how would you want them to compose themselves during the interview process?
http://www.zenmgt.com/resources/interview-tips
Above all, DON'T PANIC!
This holds true more or less anywhere, mind.
Above all, DON'T PANIC!
This holds true more or less anywhere, mind.
Best advice I can give, stay calm. If you get yourself all worked up you lose confidence and start getting antsy and you're more likely to falter or say something you didn't mean to say.
Practice body language if it doesn't come naturally to you. For example, use gestures when you speak (shows enthusiasm and interest), don't cross your arms (makes you seem closed off and disengaged), don't touch your face or the back of your neck (this may make it seem like you're hiding something), make eye contact, but don't stare blankly (nodding and "uh-huh"-ing usually work fine - shows you're interested).
Interviewers, at some point, will typically ask if you have any questions, so have at least one or two prepared. If this is going to be a full-time job for you, questions like "What's a typical work day like?", "How will my performance be evaluated?", or "May I ask about your background of experience?" are fair. Even for part-time jobs, now would be a good time to ask about specific expectations and honest concerns.
Finally, never broach the topic of compensation or benefits until or unless the interviewer brings them up. If this is a set hourly wage job (and you already know the compensation), then you can disregard this. But if you will be paid "based on experience," expect a question like: "What do you expect in terms of salary?" Note that this is one of the toughest interview questions a person can be asked.
If this is your first job (ie, you essentially have no experience), try saying something along the lines of: "Money's a factor for me, but it's not my primary concern. I'm more interested in knowing what it will take for me to be successful at this company," or, "I feel that *you* have a more accurate sense of what someone with my qualifications is worth in terms of compensation. I trust that your offer will be fair." If the interviewer presses you on this, feel free to answer the question with a question ("How much does a person with my qualifications typically make?").
Also, if you haven't done so already, google "interview tips". There's a wealth of knowledge on the subject written by people who have boiled down the interview process to a science (or art, as the case may be).
Interviewers, at some point, will typically ask if you have any questions, so have at least one or two prepared. If this is going to be a full-time job for you, questions like "What's a typical work day like?", "How will my performance be evaluated?", or "May I ask about your background of experience?" are fair. Even for part-time jobs, now would be a good time to ask about specific expectations and honest concerns.
Finally, never broach the topic of compensation or benefits until or unless the interviewer brings them up. If this is a set hourly wage job (and you already know the compensation), then you can disregard this. But if you will be paid "based on experience," expect a question like: "What do you expect in terms of salary?" Note that this is one of the toughest interview questions a person can be asked.
If this is your first job (ie, you essentially have no experience), try saying something along the lines of: "Money's a factor for me, but it's not my primary concern. I'm more interested in knowing what it will take for me to be successful at this company," or, "I feel that *you* have a more accurate sense of what someone with my qualifications is worth in terms of compensation. I trust that your offer will be fair." If the interviewer presses you on this, feel free to answer the question with a question ("How much does a person with my qualifications typically make?").
Also, if you haven't done so already, google "interview tips". There's a wealth of knowledge on the subject written by people who have boiled down the interview process to a science (or art, as the case may be).