Being prepared will allow you to head into the job interview with confidence. Spend some time exploring the company website. You can learn more about the business – specifically, the mission, company values, achievements and awards, and possibly about the staff as well.
This will:
You won’t be quizzed on what you learn. But you may be pleasantly surprised by just how impressed an employer can be when an applicant takes the extra time to learn about the business.
If you’re interested in learning more about what working for the company is like, websites, such as Glassdoor, provide good insight from current and former employees.
Life happens. Not everything in your work history will be something you’re eager to talk about. Maybe you were fired, laid off, or have gaps in employment.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
In a job interview, honesty is truly the best policy. Don’t dwell too much on what went wrong. Avoid speaking poorly about your previous boss, co-workers, or company in general.
Instead, elaborate on what you learned from the experience. How have you grown since then?
Another awkward topic of discussion could be unfinished schooling. Plenty of people go into higher education, and realize it was the wrong move, or maybe life circumstances prevented them from finishing.
Whatever the reason may be, the key is to approach it with confidence. If school wasn’t the right fit, or if it wasn’t the right time, say so. Employers are human and they understand higher education isn’t for everyone.
The key to navigating awkward situations is staying positive, being honest, and preparing beforehand.
If you’ve ever been in an interview before, you know how stressful it can be when you’re hit with a question you weren’t prepared for. The interviewer is staring at you, patiently waiting for an answer, and your mind has suddenly gone blank. Talk about nerves.
If you’re looking for work, consider partnering with seattle temp agency. We help thousands of people every year find employment.