If you are going for a job interview you must be prepared and ready. One of the reasons why first time interviewees fail is the inability to answer questions asked by the interviewer. If you are being interviewed you must always get ready for unexpected questions. Some interviewers try to test you. They want to make you sweat before you could have that job you are longing for. If you are not prepared then you will fail the interview which means that you cannot be hired for the job offered.

There are dos and don’ts of interviews that you must follow if you want to pass that interview.

THE DOS:

1. Dress properly.

It is important for the interviewee to dress properly not just to impress the interviewer but more importantly for you to look professional and presentable. Wear business attire and simple jewelries. It is not advisable for you to use loud colors and lots of jewelries unless you are applying as a model. Even then, simplicity always pays. The way you handle yourself when you go for an interview will help you to pass the interview. Make sure that you are dressed properly and avoid too much make up. Men should avoid using earrings and wearing punk clothes.

2. Greet the interviewer

Greeting the interviewer will help both of you feel more at ease. Show that you are a person with good manners. First impressions help a lot. Interviewers are very keen people and they could judge you by the way you talk and carry yourself.

3. Speak fluently and confidently

Show the interviewer that you have a strong personality by talking fluently and confidently. Companies and firms want to hire people whom they could depend on and who could help in the improvement of their company. If you show that you are weak the interviewer will reject you.

4. Tell all your good qualities but don’t exaggerate

When asked about your strength and weaknesses do not try to impress the interviewer by telling too much. Be honest and humble. The interviewer will know when you are lying and exaggerating things. Once you have mentioned all your good points and your qualifications stop and let the interviewer decide. Do not tell the interviewer to hire you because you are qualified to do the job they are offering. The decision is done by the interviewer.

5. Give references that you trust and people who know your good points

When giving references, it is important that the person knows you well and will tell your good points. Do not give references that you haven’t been in good terms. They will try to prevent you from being hired. If it is your first time to go for a job interview, give your former teachers who have given you good grades and who liked you.

6. Keep your hands on your lap and do not move too much

It is important to sit properly with hands on the lap so that you will lessen the nervousness you are feeling. Besides that, you will avoid any unwanted actions that may distract the interviewer or would give you away. Interviewers will know when you are telling too much by the way you move your hands. If you move too much the interviewer might not like it.

7. Always thank the interviewer after the interview

It is always proper to thank the interviewer after the interview even if the interview did not go as well as you have planned it.

THE DON’TS:

1. Don’t be late

Make sure you start early to have enough time in cases of bad traffic or other untoward incidents. Remember that you are going for an interview and it is not right to let the interviewer wait for you. You can wait for the interviewer but never let the interviewer wait for you.

2. Don’t sit down unless told

You are impolite if you enter the room and sit directly on the chair. Never sit down unless you are offered a sit by the interviewer. You have to always practice good manners when you are being interviewed.

3. Don’t put your things on the interviewer’s table

It is improper to put your things on the interviewer’s table. If you have things with you just put them on your lap.

4. Don’t show that you are too eager to have the job

Be yourself and stay calm even if you want the job badly. Be professional and just be what you are while being interviewed. That will be a plus point on you if you show that you are a well-mannered person.

5. Don’t be emotional in front of your interviewer

Don’t get emotional while being interviewed. Some people use their personal problems to convince the interviewer that they are badly in need of a job. Not all interviewers are sympathetic. You have to control yourself to avoid blurting out your problems while being interviewed.

6. Don’t butt in while the interviewer is talking

In your eagerness to express your opinion or tell your point over something being discussed you might be butting in while the interviewer is still talking. Never do that to an interviewer. Always let the interviewer finish talking first before you talk.

7. Don’t speak badly about the former employer or company that you had worked for

The way you carry yourself during the interview will always reflect on you. If you badmouth the former employer or company that you had worked for, the interviewer will not hire you because he will think you will do the same thing to their company in the future.

8. Don’t lie

The worst thing that an interviewee could do is lie to the interviewer. The interviewer knows when an applicant is lying. If you tell the truth the interviewer might be sympathetic but if you lie about anything in front of the interviewer he will not hire you. Nobody wants to hire a liar.

These are only guides for those who are going for an interview. If you have more useful tips then do as you think is right. The important thing is you have a guideline to follow in order to pass the interview and finally land a job.