A job interview can be an incredibly nerve-racking experience for some people. Generally, you only get one chance to make a positive impression, which can often make people feel overwhelmed by the pressure they place upon themselves. This can make it difficult to deliver a true representation of your personality.

Job interviews don’t need to be a terrifying experience, with practice and preparation it can be a chance for you to promote your own ‘personal brand’ and show how well you know yourself and your abilities. Here are some useful tips to help you prepare for your next job interview.

Be prepared

The most important factor affecting a successful job interview is your preparation. A job interview is certainly not the time to be improvising and as such, you need to have a thorough understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and accomplishments prior to arriving for your interview.

Once you have rehearsed some potential questions which may be asked and are confident in your ability, it can be very useful to research the company you are applying to. Any information you find will come in handy such as types of positions the company employs, company history, their mission statement, annual reports, etc. Showing the interviewer you are interested in the company and are proactive can work greatly to your advantage.

How you present yourself

One of the first things an interviewer will notice when meeting you is how you are dressed. Although many companies have opted for a more casual staff dress code in recent times, dressing in formal corporate attire will help to present a professional image.

Arriving at least 15 minutes early will also allow you enough time to find a park, find the interview location, and it will give you a buffer in case you manage to get lost. Arriving on time will also demonstrate your punctuality to the potential employer.

Be confident, but friendly

Confidence and high self-esteem will radiate with the interviewer and make you appear knowledgeable. Although there’s nothing wrong with feeling good about yourself, it’s important not to appear overly confident as it can sometimes be mistaken for arrogance.

The main point is to be happy. Smiling and displaying a confident attitude will have a positive influence on how your potential employer will remember you.

Remain involved

An interview should always be an active two-way conversation. Prepare a few relevant questions for your interviewer and try to clearly demonstrate your interest in the position. Although two-way communication is encouraged, it’s important not to interrupt the interviewer.

Tempsmart, nursing and dental recruitment agency

Tempsmart is a Brisbane based recruitment agency, catering to employees within the health industry. For over ten years we have built a credible reputation across the health care industry by providing casual, contract, and permanent staff to residential aged care facilities, private hospitals, and dental practices throughout Queensland.