Interviewing Fear #2 - "They Won't Like My Answers"

If this is a concern you have regarding your interview, it’s a good thing! First impressions are VERY important for candidates seeking positions, so you always want to make sure you have you have on your A-Game when you walk into an interview.

Here are a few tips for sounding confident and for creating a great first impression at an interview:

1. Be Honest on your Resume AND in the Interview!
An interviewer can most definitely tell when a candidate is not being truthful. Make sure you only list facts on your resume regarding your education, experience and skills and always be honest when discussing these matters in your interview. If you lie to get a job, there is a good chance that you don’t have the skills to handle it once you start. If you are not skilled in an area they discuss, tell them how much of a quick learner you are and how you love to learn new things to make yourself an asset for the people you work for. The interviewer will be thankful that you were honest and your initiative to be a great employee will surely stick in their mind.

2. Be Confident!
If you have only facts on your resume, there is no reason to be nervous about your answers. All you are doing is talking about yourself! Make sure you always review your resume so you quickly remember responsibilities / examples from previous jobs and talk in a calm manner which is not too soft, not too loud and not too fast! You want to make sure they hear what you are saying and that they know you can control yourself in stressful situations.

3. Research, Research, Research!
Use your resources. Google the person who is going to interview…look them up on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Having a little knowledge about them before the interview will make you feel more comfortable before you walk-in. It’s a great way to know that if they graduated from Marshall, you shouldn’t walk in with a WVU pen to take notes! ;) Always use internet resources to your advantage!

These easy tips should have you feeling confident and successful with your background, education and training. Employers will pick-up on your genuine drive to succeed and your initiative to be a great employee at their company.