Interview tips for beginners

Your CV has just impressed the employer, and it has been shortlisted for an interview. Good job! You’ve successfully passed the first step. Next, you need to skillfully present yourself and leave a positive impression to land the job you desire. It’s often said that interviews can be intimidating. However, success comes from thorough preparation and confidence. Keep these 10 interview tips in mind, and you’ll exclaim, “Amazing! I got a job!”

The More Knowledge, The More Confidence
What should you prepare for your first job interview? First, focus on knowledge. Knowledge is never excessive, and you should delve into these three aspects:

• Company information: Understand its area of operation, achievements, and key events.
• Insights about the industry and the company’s competitors.
• The critical requirements for the job position.

Don’t Neglect Your Attire
The clothes you wear to an interview should look professional and be comfortable. Successful interview tips include researching the company culture and how employees dress before deciding what to wear. For instance, you might wear a suit when interviewing at a bank or opt for casual attire when visiting advertising companies. If you’ve never worn a suit and want to wear one to the interview, practice beforehand, as discomfort might make you appear uneasy.

Arriving Early Shows Punctuality
Job interviews often start a few minutes later than scheduled, but you should plan to arrive in the waiting room about 10 minutes early. This creates a good impression of your discipline and time management skills. If the interview hasn’t started yet, you can familiarize yourself with the office environment to feel more comfortable and confident. This is a crucial interview tip to remember.

Prepare for Tough Questions – An Essential Interview Tip
It’s almost certain that you’ll be asked to introduce yourself and answer some challenging questions. A helpful interview tip is to prepare in advance for what you need to say. Practice speaking at home to avoid being caught off guard.

Be Honest
Interview tips from experienced candidates emphasize that you shouldn’t fear mentioning failures or periods of unemployment. Remember, the employer chose your CV, meaning they found it appealing. Cleverly turn these drawbacks into unique advantages.

For example, if you have a long unemployment gap, share how you used the time to develop yourself or discuss the lessons you learned from past failures.

Also, avoid these mistakes during the interview:

• Don’t be rude or speak ill of previous bosses or colleagues.
• Don’t interrupt.
• Don’t try to appear more knowledgeable than the interviewer.

Be Yourself
You’ll only feel truly confident and comfortable answering questions fluently when you’re genuine in the interview. Showcase your personality and style, but that doesn’t mean behaving as you would with friends during a casual outing. Be sincere and honest in the interview. Pretending to be someone else won’t help you during the process and might lead to a role that doesn’t suit your true personality.

Always Prepare a Question and Smartly Ask the Interviewer
A key tip for fresh graduates is to ask questions to the interviewer. The interview is a two-way process. Asking questions is essential as it allows you to assess whether the job fits you. It’s also an opportunity to showcase your critical thinking. Choose relevant and thoughtful questions based on the topics being discussed.

Control Your Body Language
Body language is one of the things employers pay attention to, as it can reveal your personality, thoughts, and honesty in your responses. One interview tip is to remember that even small actions can “betray” you, like frequently checking your watch, which shows disinterest or impatience.

Slouching, drooping shoulders, shaking legs, excessive hand movements, or fearful eye contact indicate a lack of confidence. These small actions can significantly impact the interviewer’s perception of you. Sit up straight, keep your shoulders back, avoid shaking your legs, and don’t frequently glance at your watch to make the best impression.

Avoid Saying “I Can’t Do That” or “I Don’t Know”
If the interviewer asks you a question you can’t answer or haven’t heard before, don’t naively reply with “I don’t know” or “I can’t do that,” as this might make you seem inflexible or inexperienced. Instead, respond more tactfully: “I’m not very familiar with this topic. Could you please provide me with more information so I can explore it after this interview?” This shows you’re eager to learn, open-minded, and skilled in handling situations. This is another key tip for first-time interviewees.

Follow Up on the Recruitment Process
Within 24 hours after the interview, don’t forget to send a thank-you email to the interviewer for the opportunity. This is also a chance to reiterate that you’re a strong candidate for the role.

The HR team at An Thái Company has just shared with you 10 tips to impress employers during an interview. For any questions, feel free to contact us for dedicated support! We wish you a successful interview!