The Do’s and Don’ts of a Job Interview

【Abstract】Getting a job today is quite different from a decade ago. We live in an increasingly competitive world. Just like you， many people are struggling to find a job. But first， you have to make it through the initial hurdle： the job interview. Obviously， a good performance at a job interview means a great deal to all of you. Your job interview goal is to show the employer that you are the best candidate for the job. Review these tips， and youll be ready for a smooth transition to your employer.

【Key words】competitive; job interview; performance

【作者簡介】劉鯤鵬，沈陽科技學院。

Graduation season is approaching， and you are suffering from the rat race. A job interview is one of the most important interactions in your life. However， within that short span of time， you have to convince the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the job. The prospective employer wants to know that you could be someone they want to work with and that you have confidence with people.

Ⅰ. The Donts of a Job Interview

ⅰ. Dont show up late， ever， or too early. Plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early. Late arrival for a job interview is never excusable.

ⅱ. Dont wear weird clothes. Unless youre being interviewed for a position that requires some sort of special uniform or outfit， then keep the dress code simple.

ⅲ. Dont lean back and cross your legs either， giving a feeling of boredom or superiority. The way you behave at a job interview really counts.

ⅳ. Dont make derogatory remarks about your current or former employers or companies. Besides， be as honest as possible about your capabilities and job experiences.

Ⅱ. The Dos of a Job Interview

ⅰ. Do arrive on time， and be considerate to every person you meet. When you attend an interview， make sure you come across as friendly， positive and confident.

ⅱ. Do dress professionally and look neat and clean. An interview candidate should always look polished and professional. Proper business attire is expected .

ⅲ. Do smile and relax when you meet people， letting them know you are friendly and approachable. Besides， you can try deep breathing if you really feel nervous.

ⅳ. Do shake hands firmly with the person interviewing you and make positive eye contact. This shows you have confidence. Use your hands when talking but not too much. This shows involvement in the conversation.

Ⅲ. Dealing with an unusual situation

If your interview involves a number of interviewers， be sure to give them equal attention. However， whatever the style， you need to be aware that the interviewer is assessing you as a future employee. So please stay alert， positive and responsive to the questions asked.

Most college career services offer mock interviews and interview workshops， but you can also practice interviewing with family or friends， and get feedback on how you act， look and sound. Do maintain good posture， a neat appearance， regular eye contact， and a positive attitude. Make sure that you keep in mind these aspects before you complete the interview process.

Ⅳ. Other useful follow-up activities?

A job interview may be the most important meeting that you have in your life. Therefore， it is essential that you look into all the aspects of the meeting before you proceed to your job interview.

Send a ‘thank you message to the interviewer after the job interview. The general follow-up thank you letter after the interview is aimed at better demonstrating your interest in the job position. It is cordial of you to send a thank you letter or email once the interview is over.

Ⅴ. Conclusion

The present paper is to allow you or to invite you to get to know the dos and donts at a job interview to help you ace it in your future job-seeking. It is about getting out of your comfort zone， it is about getting rid of your limitations， and it is about chipping away your ability for success.

Remember， most employers do not just look at skills， but at personality， confidence， and enthusiasm. Starting today， youll be traveling the road between who you think you are and who you can be. By following the simple dos and donts， you are on the right track to receiving an offer.

References：

[1]What To Do When You Get That Job Interview[J]. Mildred Rivers， 2008，07.

[2]What Color Is Your Parachute？ Guide to Rethinking Interviews： Ace the Interview and Land Your Dream Job[J]. Richard N. Bolles， 2014，05.

[3]The Everything Job Interview Book： All you need to stand out in todays competitive job market[J]. Lin Grensing-Pophal，2011，12.