Do you think you are well prepared for a job interview? The best way to get ready for an interview is to take the time to review the most common questions you will most likely be asked. Knowing what you’re going to say can eliminate a lot of interview stress.

TEN TIPS FOR GREAT JOB INTERVIEWS

1. RESEARCH THE INDUSTRY AND COMPANY.
An interviewer may ask how you perceive¹ his company’s position in its industry, who the firm’s competitors are, what its competitive advantages are, and how it should best go forward.

2. CLARIFY² YOUR “SELLING POINTS” AND THE REASONS YOU WANT THE JOB.
Prepare to go into every interview with three to five key selling points in mind, such as what makes you the best candidate for the position. Have an example of each selling point prepared (“I have good communication skills.”) And be prepared to tell the interviewer why you want that job.

3. PREPARE FOR COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS.
Pick any list and think about which questions you’re most likely to encounter³, given your age and status (about to graduate, looking for a summer internship⁴, etc). Then prepare your answers so you won’t have to fumble⁵ for them during the actual interview.

4.LINE UP YOUR QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEWER.
Come to the interview with some intelligent questions for the interviewer that demonstrate your knowledge of the company as well as your serious intent. Interviewers always ask if you have any questions, and no matter what, you should have one or two questions ready. If you say, “No, not really,” he or she may conclude that you’re not all that interested in the job or the company.

5. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
Get two friends and practice interviewing each other in a “round robin”: one person acts as the observer and the “interviewee” gets feedback from both the observer and the “interviewer.” Go for four or five rounds, switching roles as you go.

6. SCORE A SUCCESS IN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES.
Some studies indicate that interviewers make up their minds about candidates in the first five minutes of the interview – and then spend the rest of the interview looking for things to confirm that decision! So, what can you do in those five minutes to get through the gate? Come in with energy and enthusiasm, and express your appreciation for the interviewer’s time.

7. THINK POSITIVE.
No one likes a complainer, so don’t dwell on negative experiences during an interview. Even if the interviewer asks you, “What courses have you liked least?” or “What did you like least about that previous job?” don’t answer the question.

8. USE THE RIGHT BODY LANGUAGE.
Dress appropriately, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, have good posture⁶, speak clearly, and don’t wear perfume or cologne! Sometimes interview locations are small rooms that may lack good air circulation.

9. SEND THANK-YOU NOTES.
Write a thank-you note after every interview. Type each note on paper or send them by email, depending on the interviewers’ preferences. Customize your notes by referring specifically to what you and the interviewer discussed. Thank-you notes should be sent within 48 hours of the interview.

10. DON’T GIVE UP!
If you’ve had a bad interview for a job that you truly think would be a great fit for you (not just something you want badly), don’t give up! Write a note, send an email, or call the interviewer to let him or her know that you think you did a poor job of communicating why you think this job would be a good match.

Ivana Petrušková

Vocabulary: 1 chápať, vnímať – chápat, vnímat; 2 objasniť, vysvetliť – objasnit, vysvětlit; 3 naraziť na – narazit na; 4 stáž; 5 tápať – tápat; 6 držanie tela, postoj – držení těla, postoj